Trip Report
Sea Kayak - Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
The Locks are very interesting and worth the paddle by themselves, and then there is the impressive open scenery that awaits the paddler at the entrance to the ship canal in Shilshole Bay.
Paul Mocha
- Sat, Oct 30, 2021
- Sea Kayak - Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
- Hiram M. Chittenden Locks
- Sea Kayaking
- Successful
-
- Road suitable for all vehicles
-
The launch site we used (the NW 14th Ave. Boat Ramp) is good - lots of public parking, restrooms are available at the PCC Co-op nearby. The north winds were around 15 knots or higher in Puget Sound, and the the entrance to Shilshole Bay was choppy with the wind waves and boat wakes. Lots of boat traffic.
With the north winds we encountered, we assessed the conditions at Shilshole Bay. The trip was rated SKIII. I modified the trip plan, to stay within this rating, and we went to Golden Gardens instead of W. Point. The breakwater en route to Golden Gardens provided good protection from the wind and waves. There was also a very protected route by the seawall along the shoreline. The breakwater stops at Golden Gardens, and this exposed stretch was windy, but with significantly smaller waves, up to Meadow Point. Beach landing and lunch at Golden Gardens. Total round trip was a little less than 7 kts.