• Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • PNW
    • Kayak/Travel Blog
    • Maps
  • Reviews
EVERYONE'S TRAVEL CLUB
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • PNW
    • Kayak/Travel Blog
    • Maps
  • Reviews

From the Archives: Kayaking to the Dungeness Spit Lighthouse - Sequim WA

12/11/2011

1 Comment

 
Originally posted on the old site - 8/16/2010
Picture
   Everyone's Travel Club took a little out-of-town kayaking trip through the Dungeness Bay to the Dungeness Spit Lighthouse.  The first leg of the trip took only about 1.5 hours from the Cline Spit Road boat launch to reach the lighthouse at the very end of the Spit.  It ended up taking about 2.5 hours to get back due to heavy, heavy winds...I mean, heavy.
   The Spit is located just outside of Sequim, Washington, about 2 hours (including a 30 minute Edmonds ferry ride) from Seattle. 
   Once you get there it's pretty amazing - the longest natural sand spit in the United States. 

View Larger Map
Picture



We inflated and put in at a boat ramp just East of the start of the 5 mile (one way) Spit hike, this shortened the distance for us to reach the lighthouse considerably. The road where we launched is called Cline Spit road, just off of Marine Drive (just zoom in on the Google map to get a better view).  There is free parking there and it wasn't too crowded, just a few fisherman hauling boats in and out.

Picture
Off we go on our 3ish mile paddle (one way) towards the lighthouse in 0 knot winds. 
Picture
Picture
Spit.
Picture
Picture
   The catch is, the area where we landed (South side of the Spit) and got out to explore the lighthouse is technically off limits, however, no one seemed to mind us landing our kayaks. Landing on this side protected us from the action on the Strait of Juan de Fuca (the other side of the sand spit).
   The forecasted winds picked up on our return trip...I mean, I knew they would because I did check the marine forecast that morning, but it just seemed so still on the trip, I thought we'd have a little more time (we found out after we got back that there was a small craft advisory issued for the afternoon). 
   The forecasted wind speed was right but the forecasted wind direction proved incorrect. I thought we'd be a little protected in the Bay from the predicted North wind. It didn't end up coming from the North. Crap. Plus, while paddling, I noticed that the very short spit wasn't really tall enough to protect us from much of the wind anyway.  Crap again.
Picture
Then the sun shines (but the wind continues to blow) as we eventually return...safe and sound.
Picture
   For my next trip to the Spit:  I'll use that boat ramp again on Cline Spit Road, watch that marine forecast like a hawk, check the tides, maybe even take a radio to catch any small craft advisories during the trip.  I'll plan for about 3-4 hours to give myself lots of time taking pictures and touring the lighthouse. Weather can change very quickly in these salt-watery parts.  I'll always remember to dress warm (layer) - we are bundled up on July 4th in these photos...
   Finally, if the wind does pick up upon my next trip I'll consider hanging out a little extra at the lighthouse and get a forecast from the nice tenants that temporarily live out there, just pack my inflatable Innova kayak in the pack and walk it back, or if I do decide to paddle, tether myself to the kayak just in case I tip (wouldn't want that inflatable blowing away and leaving me in icy cold water)! 
   ~Paul, Sis, Mom    E.T.C. 
1 Comment
    Follow us on Twitter and receive updates when we post (click the birdie).
    Picture


    RSS Feed

    Archives

    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011


    Categories

    All
    Alki Beach
    Arboretum
    Attractions
    Bahamas
    Ballard
    Boat Shows
    Carkeek
    Cascades
    Dungeness Spit
    Edmonds
    Everett
    Florida
    Golden Gardens
    Hiking
    Hood Canal
    Kayak
    Kingston Wa
    Kiteboarding
    La Conner
    Lake Chelan
    Lakes
    Lake Sammamish
    Lake Union
    Lake Washington
    Lemurs
    Leschi
    Less Aquatic Travels
    Lighthouses
    Live Aboard
    Mercer Island
    Nisqually
    North Carolina
    Oregon
    Outside The PNW
    Parks
    Pike Place Market
    Port Ludlow
    Port Townsend
    Poulsbo Wa
    Puget Sound
    Quilcene Bay
    Richmond Beach
    Rivers
    Road Trip Month
    Sail
    Samish Island
    Sand Point
    San Juans
    Sea Serpent
    Seattle
    Shilshole
    Ship Canal
    Skagit
    State Parks
    Sunken Ship
    The Pacific Coast
    Up & Over
    Virgin Islands
    Volcano
    Whales
    Wildlife



    Videos on Vimeo

    We hope you've enjoyed the time you've spent on our site. All images, text and designs are copyright Everyone's Travel Club and may not be used without written permission from ETC.
Picture

Connect:

Contact:

[email protected]

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About
  • PNW
    • Kayak/Travel Blog
    • Maps
  • Reviews