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HomeEventsWashington Park to Orcas Island - Take 2 -- CANCELED

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Washington Park to Orcas Island - Take 2 -- CANCELED

Date and Time

Friday, August 01, 2025, 7:45 AM until 3:30 PM

Event Contact(s)

Justin Oram

Thomas Chau

Category

Club Trip

Registration Info

Registration is not Required

About this event

This is a big crossing and will improve your confidence on the water. It will be a strenuous, long distance day trip with open water crossings. You need to be physically fit, able to paddle for several hours at a strong pace and be comfortable padding in lumpy waters for this paddle.

NUMBER OF NAUTICAL/STATUTE MILES FOR ENTIRE TRIP: 13 nm
(statute mile: ˜1.15 nm)

TRIP PACE: Speedy (3 kts)

SKILL LEVEL RATING: SKIII
See HITW website under “Trip Planning” (SKI, SKII, SKIII)

REQUIRED GEAR/PAPERWORK: Immersion gear, VHF, tow rope and kayak wheels for loading on and off the ferry (let trip leader know if you do not have a radio or tow rope).

CHALLENGING CONDITIONS: Navigate boat and ferry traffic, Crossing shipping lanes, Limited landing sites, Open water crossing 2+ nm, Currents above 2.5 kts, Exposed paddling.

FOOD PROTECTION AND POTABLE WATER AVAILABILITY: Carry all water as there
is no drinkable water supply on the way. There is a grocery store by the Orcas ferry terminal.

LAUNCH SITE AND ACCESS CONSIDERATIONS: Pebble beach, easy access, lovely view, and trash can by launch site.

ROUTE: Washington Park to Orcas ferry terminal with stops at James Island and
Spencer Spit State Park, wheel-on ferry back to Anacortes.

LAUNCH SITE ARRIVAL TIME: 7:45am
LAUNCH TIME: 8:30am
RETURN TIME: 3:15pm (depending on ferry and how quickly we get to Orcas)
Targeted arrival time at Orcas Village: 1:45pm

Return Ferry Options:
Departing Orcas at 2:20pm
Estimated Arrival Time in Anacortes: 3:15pm

PARKING AVAILABILITY: Ample parking is available at Washington Park. The small parking lot closest to the boat ramp is for unloading and loading only. On arrival in Anacortes, a shuttle needs to be in place to Washington Park.

RESTROOM AVAILABILITY: Flush toilets and porta potty at Washington Park,
outhouses at State Park.

OTHER NOTES: The trip is weather-sensitive so it might be canceled