Orcas Island Event - Circumnavigation of Obstruction Island - L2

When
September 20, 2026
8:45 AM
Location
San Juan County Dock
Spaces left
6

Registration

Members with wet exit certification
Active club members with wet exit certification, including kayaking professional and lifetime.
TO and Safety
Password Reserved for TO use

Full Name:: Mart Hughes

Narrative:: The paddle will launch from the beach at the San Juan County Dock at 1933 Obstruction Pass Road. The route will circumnavigate Obstruction counterclockwise: proceeding west along the shoreline to the pass opening where the channel will be crossed south to Obstruction Island and proceeding along the west shore to the south tip. There Peavine Pass will be crossed to Blakely Island. Then to the County Dock for lunch and to check out the Blakely Island General Store. The paddle will then proceed to the west entrance of Peavine Pass and the crossing back to Obstruction Island. The east shore of the island will be followed back to the AM crossing, then back to Orcas and the launch site. The counterclockwise route will provide a paddling advantage from the long flood tide. The return to Orcas will occur approximately at the high slack.

Obstruction is largely undeveloped and should present a wild shore. The east side is likely to rewarding for the wildlife.
Meeting Time:: 8:45:00 AM
Launch Time:: 9:30:00 AM
Type of activity:: Paddle Trip
Put in:: County Dock at 1933 Obstruction Pass Road
Take out:: County Dock at 1933 Obstruction Pass Road
Route Alternative for bad weather:: Olga County Park
Required equipment::
Minimum Immersion protection:: Drysuit
Primary Organizer:: Mart Hughes
Co-Organizer(s)::
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:: 6
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy:: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature:: 50 - 60
Estimated Water Temperature:: 50 -53 deg. F
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch):: 4 - 5 hours
Tide times & heights:: Low 0.6 ft. @ 04:53, High 7.6 ft. @ 14:40
Current information:: 0.25 - 0.75 kn
Hazards:: Shipping traffic
Wind strength:: Level 2: 7-12 knots (14 mph) – wind noticeably effects movement of paddle
Waves, Swell, Breaking Waves: Level 2: Waves up to 2', no breaking waves
Sea state:: Level 2: Waves up to armpit; light to moderate chop, scattered whitecaps
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 1: Up to 6 miles
Open crossing:: Level 1: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment::
Overall rating:: Level 2
Rating Comments::
Location:: 48.606146 -122.816489, 1933 Obstruction Pass Road.
Photos (Optional)::
COVID-19 Status of Trip:: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station:: Peavine Pass TWC1165
Link to map of route (Optional):
:

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon