Freshwater Bay to Crescent Bay, Strait of Juan de Fuca - L3

To sign up for this trip, get a "TO Approval Waitlist" Ticket. When you are approved for the trip the TO will send you a password for a "Approved For Trip by TO" ticket.

This is one of three paddling trips in the area of Port Angeles and Sequim on the northern Olympic Peninsula. The Trip Organizer and Co-Organizer will not be arranging lodging, camping, or meals for participants.

Full Name: Dennis Pennell
Narrative: This is Day #2 of a three-day trip.

This is an exploratory trip. The trip organizer has not paddled here before except for about the first one mile. Meet at 9:00 AM at Freshwater Bay County Park Boat Ramp, 48.146699315193715, -123.6419941513198. See notes below regarding alternative launch location.

Launch at 10:00 AM or before if ready.

This is a full-on ocean trip in the Strait of Juan de Fuca. The strait is commonly windy, so if conditions are too lively, we will find some other location to paddle.
Paddle west along the shoreline toward Crescent Bay. The shoreline west of Freshwater Bay is classic Washington ocean cliffs, with some possible rock gardening opportunities. There will be some small beaches (maybe lots due to the low tide level), lots of rocks, and lots of kelp. Much of the shoreline we will paddle along is tall rock cliffs. The scenery is likely to be pretty awesome. We can do some surfing in Crescent Bay if conditions are suitable. Note that the beach at Crescent Bay is private property and part of an RV park/campground. The owner charges a fee ($8 I think) for use of the beach. We cannot land on or stand in the water along this private property unless we pay the fee. Note that the fee includes use of a shower.

This trip passes by the Salt Creek Recreation Area, which may or may not allow a stop to use restrooms (water level dependent). There may or may not be a small area of beach, again water level dependent, that is east of the above-mentioned private property. This beach is part of the Salt Creek Recreation Area. If accessible via water this area is public property.
Also note that depending on condition at the time, we may do this trip in the reverse direction, i.e., launching at Crescent Bay instead of Freshwater Bay.
Either way, please be prepared to pay the $8 fee in cash to the owner of the Crescent Bay beach.

Additional floatation (float bags) strongly recommended in both bow and stern hatches in case you blow a hatch cover
Bring a contact tow if you have one and know how to use it.

Return the same route in reverse back to launch point.


Tide Predictions for Crescent Bay:
Date Day Time Pred High/Low
2024/11/06 Wed 06:26 AM 7.02 H
2024/11/06 Wed 11:01 PM -0.82 L


Current Predictions for Angeles Pt., 2 mi. NNE of (PUG1639) Depth: 12 feet:

Date Time (LST_LDT) Speed (knots)
2024-11-06 01:29 AM 0.01
2024-11-06 04:57 AM 2.23
2024-11-06 09:41 AM 0.00
2024-11-06 11:56 AM -0.76
2024-11-06 03:59 PM -0.34
2024-11-06 10:41 PM -3.27
2024-11-07 02:18 AM -0.01
2024-11-07 06:14 AM 2.08
2024-11-07 10:29 AM 0.00
2024-11-07 12:53 PM -0.78
2024-11-07 05:58 PM -0.34
2024-11-07 11:33 PM -2.95

Meeting Time: 9:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:00:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Freshwater Bay County Park Boat Ramp, 48.146699315193715, -123.6419941513198
Take out: Same as launch point.
Route Alternative for bad weather: To be determined at time of trip.
Required equipment: Helmet, Contact Tow Line or Tow Line
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Dennis Pennell
Co-Organizer(s): Ken Sund
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: 8 including To and Co-TO
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 45
Estimated Water Temperature: 45
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 5 hours
Tide times & heights: Date Day Time Pred High/Low
2024/11/06 Wed 06:26 AM 7.02 H
2024/11/06 Wed 11:01 PM -0.82 L
Current information: Angeles Point
Date Time (LST_LDT) Speed (knots)
2024-11-06 01:29 AM 0.01
2024-11-06 04:57 AM 2.23
2024-11-06 09:41 AM 0.00
2024-11-06 11:56 AM -0.76
2024-11-06 03:59 PM -0.34
2024-11-06 10:41 PM -3.27
Hazards: Shipping traffic
Wind strength: Level 3: 12-16 knots (19 mph)
Swell/Surf size: Level 3: Waves to 3', breaking waves to 2'
Sea state: Level 3: Waves to paddle tops; numerous whitecaps, waves becoming longer
Landing types: Level 3: Bad footing, rocky shores, or surf up to 1.5'
Currents: Level 2: Mild currents (up to 2 knots): current increases / decreases group speed by half
Total distance: Level 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 3
Rating Comments: Exposure to wind in the Strait of Juan de Fuca is the most likely hazard.
Location: https://maps.app.goo.gl/yHA82HmSNnVhoCRw9
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: All participants of this trip must be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: Crescent Bay
Link to map of route (Optional)