Lopez Is. Event: Spencer Spit to James Island - L2

When
August 24, 2025
8:00 AM
Location
Spencer Spit State Park beach
Spaces left
6

Registration

Members with wet exit certification
Active club members with wet exit certification, including kayaking professional and lifetime.
TO and Safety
Password Reserved for TO use

Full Name: Peggy Liggit
Narrative: You'll love this paddle that includes scenic crossings, island explorations, and coastline cruising. We are leaving at 9:00 am from Spencer Spit to take advantage of the tide and current, and we'll cross over to the north point of Decatur Island. This is the longest crossing a little over a mile. Our destination is West Cove on James Island, a Washington State Park only accessible by boat.

We'll arrive at West Cove around 10:30 am, and we'll plan a leisurely lunch so that paddlers will have time to explore the island - there are picnic tables, a composting toilet , and 1.5 miles of hiking trails. We'll leave about 12:00 noon and circumnavigate James Island and head back to Spencer Spit (a total of 11 miles). Currents will not exceed 1.5 kts at our designated time and route. Alternate dates are Friday and Saturday.

Only 1-2 cars can drive down the hill to the launch point at Spencer State Park at a time. Trip may be limited to the number of paddlers who can unload boats at one time, probably 6-8. You will need to pay a day use fee if you do not have a Discover Pass.

Meeting Time: 8:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 9:00:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Spencer Spit State Park beach: 521 Bakerview Rd, Lopez Island, WA 98261
Take out: Spencer Spit State Park beach: 521 Bakerview Rd, Lopez Island, WA 98261
Route Alternative for bad weather: Paddle on shoreline of Lopez Island
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Peggy Liggit
Co-Organizer(s): TBD
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes
First Aid /CPR Person:
Maximum number of paddlers: 6-12 depending on TO availability
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 70 degrees
Estimated Water Temperature: 53 degrees
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 6 hours
Tide times & heights: 2025-08-22 Fri 2:51 AM 6.9 H feet
2025-08-22 Fri 10:25 AM -1.3 L
2025-08-22 Fri 6:37 PM 7.6 H

2025-08-23 Sat 11:53 PM 5.1 L
2025-08-23 Sat 3:58 AM 6.1 H
2025-08-23 Sat 11:06 AM -0.7 L
2025-08-23 Sat 7:01 PM 7.5 H

2025-08-24 Sun 12:00 AM 4.3 L
2025-08-24 Sun 5:01 AM 6.5 H
2025-08-24 Sun 11:43 AM 0.0 L
2025-08-24 Sun 7:20 PM 7.3 H

Current information: Thatcher Pass (PUG1733) Depth 28 ft

2025-08-22 8:50 AM ebb -2.54 kts
2025-08-22 1:00 PM slack --
2025-08-22 5:44 PM flood 1.03
2025-08-22 8:28 PM slack --

2025-08-23 9:43 AM ebb -2.24
2025-08-23 1:41 PM slack --
2025-08-23 6:03 PM flood 0.81
2025-08-23 8:37 PM slack --

2025-08-24 5:23 AM flood 0.17
2025-08-24 6:39 AM slack --
2025-08-24 10:32 AM ebb -1.89
2025-08-24 2:17 PM slack --
2025-08-24 4:39 PM flood 0.65

Hazards: Shipping traffic
Wind strength: Level 2: 7-12 knots (14 mph) – wind noticeably effects movement of paddle
Swell/Surf size: Level 1: Under 1' waves, no breaking waves
Sea state: Level 1: Waves up to the deck seam; water glassy to rippled, no whitecaps
Landing types: Level 1: Frequent easy landing opportunities including gently sloping, sand, gravel or grass
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 3: 1 to 2 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: The wind is variable (it could be Level I or Level II). Our longest crossing is a tad over 1 mile, so barely a Level 3 condition.
Location: Spencer Spit State Park beach: 521 Bakerview Rd, Lopez Island, WA 98261
Photos (Optional): yes
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: Armitage
Link to map of route (Optional) DeepZoom trip: Spencer Spit to James IS https://www.deepzoom.com/trip/xd2jq7nb

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon