Sea Kayak - Tacoma Narrows

SIGHTED: SEAL, GREAT BLUE HERON, CORMORANT, PORPOISE

 There was some confusion over the start time but we were still all together and able to get on the water at 0940 after a brief pre-trip huddle. Two of the participants have been on this trip before with two newly graduated Basic Class students who have not.

We made our way carefully through the rocks and tall pilings when leaving the shore to head straight west to about mid channel.  The boat traffic was sporadic but that would change the closer we got to the opening to Gig Harbor about an hour later.  Once past the marker past the north side of the bridge we pulled over a bit to the west side for a couple of bow dunks before making rapid progress.  It was right about this time that we sighted our first small pod of porpoises. 

We headed just east of the channel opening to then hug the shore in the back eddy to avoid the boat traffic going into the mouth of Gig Harbor.  All of the considerable boat must come in and leave Gig Harbor by this tiny opening with very little room for the large boats to have enough draft to get through. (I am wondering if this channel is dredged?)  Once safely out of the way we headed down the east side of the harbor past enormous boats and large houses before reaching the back of the harbor on the ebbing tide just past the public boat launch. Then it was back down the half mile on the west side past the various marinas to arrive at the as expected crowded docks at The Tides Tavern right about noon.

Nobody had any problems getting out of their boats and on the docks where we stripped most of our gear off and changed our shoes before going up the ramp and past the crowded outdoor dining area to sit inside after using the much appreciated bathroom facilities.  We all had a tasty hot meal that was also much appreciated and got back out and down to the dock by 1345.  This had given us enough time for the tide to turn. 

After some adjustments at the water edge we headed on back to the opening going along a long line of power boats, SUPpers and a gondola!  The current was running strongly against us once we reached the opening but we stayed in the back eddy until it was safe to go across.  Once outside and into the deeper water we paused for a quick discussion that resulted in the decision to head across the now sparkling water to Point Defiance to check out the water activity there.  By now Mt Ranier was clearly visible. Unfortunately so were a lot of power boats.  As in A. Lot.Of. Boats whipping back and forth around the point.  It made it almost impossible to read the water activity so we wound up going a little south of the point before turning right and heading down about a ½ mile from the shore.  The next decision had us moving back into the main current in the mid channel rather than getting into the back eddy closer to the Salmon Beach housing. 

The water chattered with its 3+ knot currents close to max and moved just enough to be interesting and the boat traffic thinned out considerably once we left Point Defiance behind.  We came across more porpoises all the way back to the bridge and I spied what must have been a mother with a much smaller baby “poof”ing along beside her.  We paddled under the bridge and continued on going slightly towards the east approaching the cove where Titlow is.  Once even with the pilings we turned sharp left and paddled through the back eddy to find the water level much higher than when we left about 1600.  Good teamwork was applied to get the boats and gear quickly off the beach to the grassy staging area.  We were grateful that the public shower is still working to wash off our drysuits and shoes.  It was especially welcome as it was very warm by now. 

It didn’t take long to move the cars to the staging area and get everything loaded up.  A quick post trip huddle yielded no complaints with lots of smiles and thanks exchanged.  What a beautiful day to be on the water dodging boats and porpoises!  All paddlers performed well with excellent group dynamics.