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Trip Report    

Sea Kayak - Maury Island

Paddle from Des Moines around Maury Island and back. 17 miles travel.

Tom Unger Tom Unger
February 05, 2017
  • Sat, Feb 4, 2017
  • Sea Kayak - Maury Island
  • Maury Island
  • Sea Kayaking
  • Successful
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

  • Liquid, salty, flat, some ripples.  Solid ground near by with varying permission to use.

We launched from the Des Moines water front park just north of the Marina.  You can park here all day for free but not over night.  If summer suggest parking cars in Marina to free spaces.  Bathrooms near by in the Marina and maybe also in the park north of the river.  Long carry over flats if tide is mid to low.  You can also launch from the Marina.  There is either a boat ramp or a public dock - not sure. 

We called vessel traffic for both crossing. 

We paddled counter clockwise due to tides.  Tidal currents were generally negligible and gave little boost.  

Some used wheels on the portage.  Nelson and I did a double carry and were across before everyone who put wheels on.  Either way works.

Dockton park on Maury had a covered shelter with picknick tables and open bathrooms.  The Maury Island Marine Park on the SE shore has a marine trails camp ground, covered shelter with picknick tables, and a porta-poty.  There are also several stretches of undeveloped shoreline where landing is possible.  

We launched at 7:30 and landed at 3:10 for 8:40 minutes on the route.  Total distance was 16.7nm.

Weather was wintery.  In the 40s often with light to moderate rain.   

NOAA forecast morning winds S 20-25 decreasing to S 15-20.  We had S and W wind 10k in the morning and calm in the afternoon.  What's up with NOAA?