Sea Kayak - Carr Inlet

The trip I originally planned was a Commencement Bay loop, but with all the recent rainfall there was a water quality alert in the Bay which necessitated a change of plans. All registered paddlers for the original trip chose to make the switch with me.

The Wauna boat launch was empty when we arrived. A couple folks arrived just after us and proceeded to walk into the water (without any shrieks) and visit while soaking up the cold with only their heads showing above the surface.

Most of us unloaded boats and gear at the boat ramp before moving cars to the parking lot across the street. At least one participant wheeled their loaded boat from the parking lot. The highway crossing is busy but there is a crosswalk signal. The porta-potty at the ramp  area was well maintained.

Our group of 5 experienced paddlers launched just after the 9am shoretalk. The air was crisp, near freezing in the morning, but under clear blue skies the day warmed up (not soo much that I saw any rolls...). We  paddled south along the east shoreline to Minter Creek. We followed Minter Creek to the fish hatchery, easily possible since we were just before high tide (14.31’ at 10:43am). At this point the river disappears into brambles, almost 1 mile in. On the return down the creek we watched an eagle making repeated, but ultimately unsuccessful, passes at a duck. Back at Carr Inlet, we made a stop on the sandspit. Next we headed across the Inlet to Cutt's Island. The sandspit at the north end of the island was underwater but there was plenty of beach for lunch.

After lunch we opted to paddle around the east end of Raft Island before rounding Allen Point and briefly following the east shoreline. We then cut across the Inlet to our put-in, reaching the ramp around 2pm. The trip distance was 11.34 nm.