Sea Kayak - Wauna to Gig Harbor

With a couple of cancellations, we had to modify the shuttle plan a bit, but all worked out well. We were able to launch at a little after 8:30 and enjoyed a quiet paddle to Cutts Island for our first break. We were able to land on the beach at the north end as there were no seals hauled out. However, we could not hike to the top of the island as there were numerous pairs of Canada Geese up on the island. 

After a leisurely break, we paddled outside Cutts Island and then south past Kopachuck Park, Horsehead Bay and Green Point to the Tacoma DeMolay Sandspit Nature Preserve where we had lunch. There has been lots of changes to this park since I was last there. The old broken concrete bulkhead has been removed and the building above the beach also has been torn down. 

After lunch we paddled east in Hale Passage with a nice current push with the building ebb current. We reached Point Fosdick  in about an hour and took our last break under the high bank at the south end of the Tacoma Narrows Airport. Break done, we paddled out into the ebb current in the Narrows, quickly building speed to 6-7kt as we passed under the Narrows bridge. Staying away from shore to take full advantage of the current we reached the mouth of Gig Harbor by 2:35pm and then paddled in the quiet harbor back to the ramp, arriving at 3:05pm.

A fun paddle with a great group.
Total distance: 17.7 nm
Average moving speed: 3.7kt (lots of current assist!)