What we will do: From Gooseberry Point, we will paddle around the N tip of Lummi Island to Clark Island, a beautiful little island offering sand beaches, some short hiking trails and a wonderful madrona forest. The trip is about 6 miles one way and will cross Rosario Strait, a busy waterway.
Who this is for: This trip is intended as an introduction to kayak camping. If you have never paddled to your camp spot or are just looking for an accessible getaway close to town, this is for you.
Rosario Strait can be a busy waterway and there is a potential for swell to roll in from the North. If you are prone to sea sickness, you might want to make preparations for that.
Attendees must have, at a minimum a wet exit and be able to get back into their boat with assistance reliably and in a reasonable time.
I will increase the maximum number of participants if we get some co-leaders to attend.
Schedule: We will meet at Gooseberry Point on Saturday, July 11th at 8:15AM. At 8:45 we will do our shore talk (geared up, mostly ready to launch) for a launch at 9am sharp, in order to take best advantage of the currents. Taking advantage of that small current assist through the strait, we will go around the northern tip of Lummi Island. By 9:30 we should then be able to take advantage of a beginning ebb. We will follow the NW shore of Lummi, peeling off near Legoe Bay and go west to cross Rosario.
Clark is a pleasant island with a variety of open and shaded camp sites. Options for “day trips” are Lawrence Point to watch the sea lions catch their lunch, paddling around neighboring Barnes Island (no access) or the rock just south of Clark.
The return to Gooseberry will have to be on the later side, leaving the Island around 5pm due to currents. We should be back at the cars by 6:30 to 7pm.
Please ride share, parking is limited at Gooseberry.
Maximum conditions: Due to the need to cross Rosario strait, the trip will be cancelled if the wind speed or direction would make this trip not the beginner friendly event it is supposed to be. Winds higher than around 7 knots, larger swell, rain, poor visibility among other things may be causes for cancellation.
Required Equipment: I recommend to do a test-packing of your kayak before the trip if you are new to kayak camping. You don’t want to find out that that drybag with your sleeping bag in it does not fit in through the hatch. Generally, more small bags are preferred over fewer, larger ones.
Distribute your gear evenly, heavier items low and close to you, and keep items on top of the deck to a minimum.
The island has outhouses and picnic tables.
Please bring your usual safety gear: radios, tow belts, signaling devices, required rescue gear, spare paddle.
Suggested Equipment: Games, binoculars, your favorite snack to share