New Ports For Puget Paddlers
Kayakers are taking advantage of six new campsites volunteers have added to the Cascadia Marine Trail this year.
They are part of a growing system of campsites, inns and bed-and-breakfasts on Puget Sound between Olympia and the Canadian border.
The system is under development by the Washington Water Trails Association, an organization of about 1,200 persons established in 1990. It is dedicated to creating a network of stopovers accessible from the water and close enough together to allow muscle-powered boats to move between them safely in a day or less.
The goal is about 200 camping areas and more than 50 participating inns or bed-and-breakfasts.
Currently, the system contains 25 camping areas, two of them not yet officially designated a part of the Cascadia Marine Trail by the State Parks and Recreation Commission, plus other accommodations. Six of the camping areas are new
One of the new campsites is at the southern edge of Kopachuck State Park in Henderson Bay.
When the system is complete, paddlers should be able to find a place to camp or stay every six to eight miles.
Also new to the system this year is a site at Jarrell Cove State Park on Hartstene Island in South Puget Sound. It is located on the east shore of Pickering Passage about two miles south of Dougall Point, near the island’s north end.
On Vashon Island, campsites have been installed in Wingehaven Park, on the island’s northeast side south of Dolphin Point; and at Lisabeula park on the west side of the island across from Olalla.
Other sites have been added at the north end of Oak Bay near the southern end of Portage Canal and at Oak Harbor at the west end of City Beach Park.
Campsites in the trail system may not be reserved, and must be shared if other paddlers request. For staterecognized campsites, users must pay $5 per person per night or purchase an annual permit for $14. Permits are available at REI stores, from Washington State Parks in Olympia and from the Washington Water Trails Association, 4649 Sunnyside Ave. N., Suite 345, Seattle, WA, 98103.
Oak Bay and Oak Harbor are not yet covered by the annual permit system. They are designated as kayaker-hiker-bicyclist sites, and users must pay $8 per site per night.
Membership in the Water Trails Association is not required for permit holders. For those who desire it, cost is $25 per year, and includes a Cascadia Marine Trail system guide that describes and maps campsites and describes facilities and services of inn and bed-and-breakfast associates. For information on guided kayak tours, contact Northwest Passages, Inc. of Gig Harbor, (206) 851-7987.