Watmough Bay and South Lopez Island Bays (Lopez Island L2, 9-17-21)

•  This trip is limited to members with a wet exit certification (except for level 1 trips when the paddler is not using a spray skirt....if the paddler is wearing a spray skirt on a level 1 paddle, the Wet Exit Certification is REQUIRED).  To successfully register you will need to sign into your OOPS member account, and your account will need to be a member of the "Wet Exit Certified" group if you intend to wear a spray skirt.  Your acceptance is conditional on approval by the Organizer, who may contact you with questions about your skills and equipment.  If the measured water temperature is different enough from that listed below to warrant a change in required immersion protection, the Organizer will contact all participants and the Trips Board member with the update at least a day before the trip.
  

Activity Title: Watmough Bay and South Lopez Island Bays (Lopez Island L2, 9-17-21)
Date of Activity: 9/17/2021
Narrative: Let’s explore the south end of Lopez Island, including Aleck, Hughes and McArdie Bays. We’ll take a lunch break at Blackie Brady Day Park in Hughes Bay. Blackie Brady Day Park is small, faces west, and has a beach that is a mix of small pebbles and sand. It has a picnic table. Launch from Watmough Bay, paddle about six-seven miles, and return to Watmough.

The walk from the parking lot to the beach launch area at Watmough is level, but is about 800 ft. BRING YOUR WHEELS!

Leave Odlin by 8:30 a.m. We’ll launch at 10 a.m., just past low tide and slack. Currents flowing to the NE will build throughout our time on the water, giving us an assist on the way back. There should be less current near shore and in the bays.

Meeting Time: 9:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:00:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Watmough Bay
Take out: Watmough Bay
Route Alternative for bad weather: TBD
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: Farmer John
Primary Organizer: Chris Mayou
Assistant Organizer(s):
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? Yes
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: 55-60
Estimated Water Temperature: 55-60
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 6 hours
Tide times & heights: Aleck Bay TIDES
2021/09/17 Fri 07:38 AM -0.54 L
2021/09/17 Fri 3:43 PM 7.53 H
2021/09/17 Fri 9:00 PM 4.82 L

Current information: Cattle Point Current
2021-09-17 08:54 AM slack -
2021-09-17 01:54 PM flood 1.53
2021-09-17 03:54 PM slack -
2021-09-17 07:18 PM ebb -3.10

Point Colville Current
2021-09-17 09:48 AM slack -
2021-09-17 01:18 PM flood 3.07
2021-09-17 04:48 PM slack -


Hazards:
Wind strength: Level 1: 0-7 knots (8 mph)
Swell/Surf size: Level 2: Waves up to 2', no breaking waves
Sea state: Level 1: Waves up to the deck seam; water glassy to rippled, no 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 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: No open crossing
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: Highly dependent on wind; trip will be cancelled or modified if it exceeds Level 2 conditions.