Blake Island: Bliss near seattle

Fall 2008

Day Trip #2 - Pacific Northwest

This is an article from WaveLength Magazine, available in print in North America and globally on the web.

To download a pdf copy of the magazine click here: > DOWNLOAD

The harbour at Blake Island – a refuge just a hop from the busy city.

By Lisa A. Johnson

Seattle is a modern city of four million located in a paddler’s paradise otherwise known as the Pacific Northwest’s Puget Sound. With its hundreds of miles of varied shorelines and year-round temperate climate, Puget Sound has something to offer to every level of paddler. Public access of these islands, bays and inlet areas was greatly enhanced in 1989 by the establishment of the Cascadia Marine Trail, which has an expanding list of more than 50 campsites making it possible for human-powered craft to explore the waters from Olympia to the Canadian border.

One of the sparkling jewels of this trail is just seven nautical miles southwest of Seattle at Blake Island. Busy Washington State ferries make their way past all sides of this quiet spot. Historic maps or charts may call it Smugglers or Trimble Island. In 1974 it was renamed to become a 475-acre parcel of the Washington State Parks system.

Formerly an ancestral camping ground for the Suquamish Tribe, it is roughly halfway between Bainbridge and Vashon Islands and less than a mile from the Kitsap Peninsula to the west. With the exception of a park ranger, the only inhabitants within its five miles of scenic shoreline are an abundance of raccoon, deer, bald eagle and other creatures.

Tillicum Village, a replica of a Northwest native longhouse complete with restaurant, gift shop and tribal dancing displays, was established in 1961, and continues the native traditions today during the non-winter months. Although a commercial boat brings visitors back and forth to the island’s dock, kayakers can reach the shores in a more traditional way. The Washington State Parks and Recreation system has a well-established campground at the village midway on the east side and a primitive one just around the southwest corner. Washington Water Trails Association (WWTA) shares the northwest point with power boaters on opposing sides of a sandy head and spit.

The rewards are many: beautiful mountain views of the Olympics, Cascades or Mt. Ranier; quiet and isolated shores; hiking trails through forests of evergreen and madrona trees; exploring the rocky shores or wave-swept beaches, and clean, established campsites. The WWTA site offers a hull-friendly sandy point with its ongoing dune grass restoration efforts that provide a lovely contrast to the city skyline of Seattle.

All campsites charge a modest fee and accept cash or checks. You must be a member of WWTA or have a member in your group to stay at their site. Those sites are limited and all camping spots are first-come, first-served.

Where to paddle:

Beginners: If coming from the mainland on the east side, beginners would do well to take a ferry. You can then launch from various points, or close to the ferry dock on Vashon Island or the Southworth ferry dock on the Kitsap side.

Intermediate: Intermediate kayakers can start from Eagle Harbor or other places on Bainbridge Island or from Manchester State Park on the northeast side of the Kitsap Peninsula. All of these launch points are within one to five nautical miles of the island.

Advanced: More advanced westbound paddlers can exercise their options from areas such as Golden Gardens Park in Seattle, West Seattle, Alki Beach or Des Moines (not shown on the map). Be forewarned – the ferries are not the only hazard. See below.

Tips and hazards: A major shipping lane exists between the Seattle side and Blake Island. Kayakers must use extreme caution in this area and it is highly recommended that a marine radio be monitored at all times when crossing. Seattle Vessel Traffic personnel can be reached on channel 14.

The tides flood south and ebb north in Puget Sound. Use the Seattle primary and Seattle, Elliott Bay or Eagle Harbor, Bainbridge Island as the secondary station when consulting tide charts. Current tables list this entire area as “weak and variable.” However, I have experienced a definite push on several occasions, particularly eastbound on the ebb. While some of the crossings can be less than two miles, be aware that the wind can rise very quickly, with whitecaps appearing suddenly. This is especially true in the finicky spring and fall months.

One of the nice things about this paddle is the option to ride back on the ferry if conditions change for the worse. Pack your wheels! The Washington State Ferry system requires them for all kayakers who opt to walk on instead of driving on with their boats.

Lisa A. Johnson is an active member and trip leader in various paddling organizations in the Puget Sound area and is currently the Programs Chair for the Washington Kayak Club. If you are interested in finding out more about kayaking or the WKC, attend one of the free monthly presentations in downtown Seattle. You don’t have to be a member to attend. Lisa can be reached at lajbkayak@yahoo.com.