Sea Kayak - Skagit & Hope Islands
Sun, Oct 13, 2024
Assisted Duncan Cox on this classic trip around the eastern portion of the greater Deception Pass area.
Assisted Duncan Cox on this classic trip around the eastern portion of the greater Deception Pass area.
The wind and wave forecasts for today's Skagit/Hope paddle were not to my liking so I changed the venue to Tillicum Beach to Camano Head and back. Not quite as long but still plenty scenic, and the conditions were great! Sunny with some clouds, light winds, and calm waters. One member of the roster dropped due to the change so it was just three of us today. Saw a Bald Eagle fishing a short distance from shore, a Banded Kingfisher doing the same, a number of Common Murres, and several Great Blue Heron. Started on time and finished 19 minutes early thanks to a helpful slick line (a shiny "path" on the water formed where the current and wind move together in the same direction).
A trip through the tunnel to collect trash and see what spooky graffiti and dolls' heads we could find. A wonderful sensory experience traveling almost entirely by headlamp. Everyone should try it at least once.
There was sun, clouds, snow and golden larches. We had a great time.
Fantastic walk along the brand new sections of the waterfront trail and park. Guided expect for the Overlook park was an added bonus.
Easy walk with lots to see and experience along the lake. Didn't go into the Arboretum, but easy to add if you would like a longer hike.
A very enjoyable fall scramble with larches at their peak, fun rock, expansive vistas, and good company.
Excellent trip with fun and safe Class III whitewater at about 4500 CFS
this is a great easy hike taking you along the Seattle water front. Visiting the bubble wall, Pike Place market, through the Sculpture Park, under the new Seattle Aquarium to view the water wild life and spending time in the new Seattle viaduct cover park that had just open. Didn't hurt to have excellent weather for a Oct. hike!!
Trip to observe & ID various fungi. Best habitat is north of Alpine Lakes Wilderness boundary but a challenge to get there cuz there's lots to find/see in the forest before then.
A mostly overcast hike to Poo Poo Point from the Issaquah community center with stops for photos with the public art troll and mushrooms. A fun, mentored lead with success by all eight. Great way to spend a Friday morning in October.
A fall Tinkham area scramble is touted as being a delightful brisk day with glorious fall colors and excellent views. This wasn't that kind of day, but was still delightful.
A group of 4 experienced climbers took the North Fork Skokomish trail to the Black & White Lakes way trail, then we went cross-kntry from B&W up steep heather slopes, through bushwhacks and a couple gendarme-hugging rock scrambles (2nd-3rd class) to the ridge that ascends Mount Gladys (where we saw a mama and baby bear below).
Lungs labored as we lingered, looking longingly at lovely larches. 13 miles, 4200' EG in 8 hours.
Summary: Tons of golden larches at their splendor on a blue sky day! Tons of people; had to park 0.7 miles from the trailhead at 8:30am. Rock scramble on the last bit to Lake Ingalls.
A solo jaunt to see Mt. Rainier, Glacier Peak, and more. Foggy conditions provided wonderful photo opps of mushrooms and sun rays.
As usual the birds stayed and screamed at us as we rounded the point in the quiet water to see the barely whispering waves along the shore to look down the Strait to the western tips of Washington state and Vancouver Island and the open Pacific Ocean between them. I have watched the water looking black with menacing waves pounding the jetty at Ediz Hook on a cold winter day in February and the contrast is just amazing.