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

Kayaking in the Swinomish Channel south from La Conner, The Hole in the Wall

11/15/2012

6 Comments

 
Picture
   Last spring we shared my epic battle against low tide in the mud flats of the Skagit River mouth. On that trip I left the South fork of the Skagit River and paddled out into the shallows of the Puget Sound. After a long day of paddling (and walking in the sand dragging my kayak) I eventually made it up the Swinomish Channel to the town of La Conner. 
   What I didn't know at the time, but suspected, was that there was a shortcut into the Swinomish…this would have cut at least an hour off of my trip…or more…it's called the Hole in the Wall.
Picture
   To prove the Hole in the Wall exists, we put in at the sweet little public launch kayak dock under the bridge in La Conner and paddled south to check it out. Tides/currents are a big deal when paddling in the Channel, make sure you check - it feels like paddling upriver if you're going against it.

Picture
   Above, paddling next to McGlinn Island…below, a shot of Ika Island past the wall. Also, here's a link to a great aerial photo of the entrance to the Swinomish (and just how shallow it can get).
Picture
Picture


There it is. The Hole in the Wall. We paddled through it - the current was swift. While we were there we saw a small powerboat make it through as well. Just know that at low/ebbing tide the other side of the wall could turn super shallow.

Picture
   Our paddle back was a breeze thanks to the current pushing us along. Once you hit the bridge you know you're back to for launch site.  Check out our spring Skagit to La Conner post here…don't forget to check the tides!
   ~Paul, Amber, Ann     ETC
Picture
6 Comments
Mikette
8/1/2019 03:14:57 pm

Hello!

Interested in kayaking late morning or early afternoon Friday 8/9. 2 adults and a 9 year old.

Thanks,
Mikette

Reply
Paul link
8/2/2019 06:13:39 am

Check the tides and the weather, be safe!

-Paul ETC

Reply
tikao
8/2/2019 04:40:18 pm

Hi! I'm thinking about kayaking in the area. Not quite sure about the tide but by reading your post, as long as if I start and end my trip while the tide is high, it will be ok?

Also it is better to start at La-conner and heading to Skagit river? I usually kayak in a lake and not quite sure about current. But since it is a river, is the current always going towards ocean so coming back will be easier?

Reply
Paul link
8/2/2019 09:06:29 pm

Hey!

If you haven’t paddled in areas with tide and current it’s best to just take it easy—don’t paddle too far away from your launch point (and try out some of my pointers below). Also, know that tides are the vertical movement of water and currents are the horizontal. They are related, but just because the tide is going out at a certain location/time doesn’t mean the current is heading the same way. It gets tricky! If you left from La Conner and paddled against the current for a hour or two to start you would probably be able to turn around and float back to your launch. An easy mistake to make when you’re starting out is to paddle with the flow first and then have to turn around and paddle against it home. Wind can also be a factor, jeez!

Things to think about:
*Get a tide app that has local currents too, sometimes they’re a little pricey but worth it, read the reviews first.
*Sometimes you can find a current atlas, a book that has local current speed and directional info, ask at REI.
*Rivers close to the sea and/or sound are tidal, sometimes way upriver. This can present other challenges—when the water is heading out to sea but the tide is flooding (in)...waves happen!
*This specific paddle feels like a river at La Conner but is actually a channel.
*Stop into a shop and ask some locals for advice, or search hashtags on Instagram and DM/chat to other paddlers about the route. Find a La Conner page and ask some Q’s.
*Getting caught at low tide between the river and La Conner is very dangerous due to the inability to paddle (shallow water) and the water temps - make sure to read this: https://www.everyonestravelclub.com/kayaktravel-blog/kayaking-the-shallows-the-skagit-river-mouth-to-la-conner-via-the-swinomish-channel

I hope this helps! Paddle safe and prepared! Check out our map for other launch ideas (many with less current;) - https://www.everyonestravelclub.com/maps.html

-Paul ETC

Reply
tikao
8/3/2019 12:06:57 am

Hi Paul,
Thank you so much for taking your time to put your detailed comments! It is really helpful.

I didn't even know the currents are horizontal water movement! I will search for good app for sure. Started reading a bit about tides and trying to understand tidal coefficient. I guess it will be better to pick the date with lower tidal coefficient so the tide range is less than other occasion and currents will be smaller?

I read your another post, the one you had to drag kayak and walk... I'm soooo glad I read this. It helped me to realize how important to understand the tide and currents! I guess if there is some area I can rest, I can wait several hours till the next high tide in a worst case scenario.

Anyways, thanks again. The kayak launch map is also very helpful. Can't wait to try some!

John Bower
9/4/2020 04:49:27 pm

This may seem like a dumb question but I assume when the tide is rising the water is moving from Padilla Bay towards La Conner? Just want to be sure.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    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:

everyonestravelclub@gmail.com

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