Trip Report
Golden Gardens
A paddle in windy conditions to Magnolia Bluff.
Paul Mocha
- Sat, Mar 29, 2025
- Golden Gardens
- Sea Kayaking
- Successful
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- Road suitable for all vehicles
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During the busy season, boat traffic can be tricky, especially when crossing Shilshole Bay, with boat wakes adding to the challenge when there are windy conditions. This time of year, boat traffic was light.
The initial plan was to paddle to 4 Mile Rock and back, from Golden Gardens. Conditions were windy, with winds from the south. Late that morning the buoy at West Point registered 18 knots. After crossing Shilshole Bay, we found shelter from the winds along the south shore of Magnolia. Winds were heavy beyond West Point, so I chose for us to turn around and paddle up the Ship Canal to the Ballard Locks. We enjoyed some fun tailwinds offshore en route to the Ship Canal. With the sun finally breaking out, we had a pleasant lunch at the Elks Lodge beach near Ray’s Boathouse, and returned to Golden Gardens.