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Trip Report    

Sea Kayak - Duwamish Waterway

Paddle from Jack Block Park up Duwamish to Duwamish Waterway Park and Return

Bill Coady Bill Coady
June 19, 2017
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

  • Water was wet!  This is an active working marine waterway. We were cognizant of piers, old pilings, stationary and moving barges and tugs/pushers as well as a few pleasure craft, fishing boats, and research vessels.  Paddlers need to be alert but there is nothing really hazardous other than it isn't wise to practice roles or rescues in the Super Fund Site.  Who knows what is really in the water.

Great day!  A bit overcast which made paddling in dry suits very comfortable.  Saw a couple of eagles, lots of Canada Geese, some interesting Terns, a Great Blue Heron, and a seal or two plus the ubiquitous crows and sea gulls.  Launched at 10:45AM from the beach adjacent to the observation tower at Jack Block Park.  You can drive all the way around to this spot and it is just a 25 yard carry to the water.  You can't park here.  After unloading drive back around to the obvious parking spots at the entrance to the park and park there for the day. It is a short walk back through the paved trails in the park to the launch beach. 

It is best to paddle up river on a rising and positive tide and back down river after the tide has turned if possible.   Makes paddling easier and you don't have to deal with muddy banks if you choose to get out at T105/Herring House Park (west bank of river by Kellog Island).  We paddled past Harbor Island, under the West Seattle Bridge and then in the oxbow on the west side of Kellog Island. We continued up river under the 1st Ave South/509 Bridge and on to the Duwamish Waterway Park which is just before the South Park Bridge.  Address is 7900 10th Ave South.  Picnic tables, grass, no restroom facilities.  Distance is 4.4nm from launch site at Jack Block Park counting the oxbow curve at Kellog Island.

Lots of working boats and industry to observe from a river level viewpoint.

Headed back at about 1:15.  Had a bit of a headwind on the return trip but nothing too serious.  Were back on the beach and loading up at 2:40PM.