Lopez Island: Level 2 - South Island Exploration

This trip is limited to members who are WEC.  Registration for every trip is always conditional upon final approval by the TO. The TO may communicate with you to assess whether your skills & equipment are appropriate for the conditions. Signups will be done at the event.
Narrative: Let’s explore the south end of Lopez Island, including Aleck, Hughes and McArdie Bays. We’ll take a lunch break at Blackie Brady Day Park in Hughes Bay. Depending on wind and weather, we have three choices: 1. A shuttle trip from Mackaye Harbor to Watmough Bay (12-14 miles); 2. Launch from Mackaye Harbor, paddle about six-seven miles, and return to Mackaye; or 3. Launch from Watmough Bay, paddle about six-seven miles, and return to Watmough. Options 1 and 2 include paddling past Iceberg Point. Options 1 & 3 include Watmough Head. We can’t go wrong with any of these choices! Blackie Brady Day Park is small, faces west, and has a beach that is a mix of small pebbles and sand. It has a picnic table.

The walk from the parking lot to the beach launch area at Watmough is level, but is about 800 ft. BRING YOUR WHEELS!

Currents will be minimal as most of our paddling will be done during two hours on either side of high tide; the tidal exchange will also be minimal—about one foot. Currents shown on DeepZoom in the main channels are around 1 knot at their strongest while we are paddling. There should be less current near shore and in the bays.

Launch at 10:00 a.m. without a shuttle. Launch at 10:30 a.m. if we choose the shuttle route. Leave Odlin by 9:00 a.m.

Meeting Time: 9:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:00:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Mackaye Harbor boat launch
Take out: Watmough Bay Preserve
Route Alternative for bad weather: TBD
Required equipment: 
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Chris Mayou
Assistant Organizer(s): Other Event TOs
Has organizer paddled here before? No
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes
First Aid /CPR Person: 
Maximum number of paddlers: TBD at Event
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 65
Estimated Water Temperature: 54
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 5 hours
Tide times & heights: Tides (Aleck Bay): Low 3:27 a.m. 0.69 ft. High 11:39 a.m. 6.3 ft. Low 4:21 p.m. 5 ft.
Current information: Less than on knot
Hazards: 
Wind strength: Level 1: 0-7 knots (8 mph)
Swell/Surf size: Level 1: Under 1' waves, no breaking waves
Sea state: Level 1: Waves up to the deck seam; water glassy to rippled, no whitecaps
Landing types: Level 2: Frequent landing opportunities including docks or moderate sloping banks, brush or overhanging trees
Currents: Level 1: None or mild (less than 1 knot)
Total distance: Level 3: 11 to 15 miles
Open crossing: Level 2: Less than 1 mile
Paddling Environment: 
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: Final rating will be done at the Event.
Location (Optional): Mackaye Harbor Boat Launch: Norman Rd, Lopez Island, WA 98261