Coastal Kayak Trip at La Push
2025 Jun 30The long anticipated coastal kayak trip finally happened. Four of us met at Rialto Beach; we put into the Quillayute River and paddled out into the Pacific. There were rocky islands to see and navigate around.
That day the winds were a little higher than anticipated, so right away the water was busy and somewhat chaotic. Later we estimated the waves were 5-6 feet. One of the guys who had been here before used the descriptive word “terrified” (although I’m not sure he was serious).
This was my first time on the coast, so he asked me a couple of times how I was doing. I was actually quite comfortable, although I was focussed; the paddling was involved and interesting. (It is like •••)
The experience of paddling in this water was somewhat like the game of running across big driftwood logs at a beach.
It is necessary to concentrate on balance and you have to constantly adjust where you put your feet to stay on top of things. You don't quite know which log surface you will go to next, but you adapt as you go along. The fun is in the challenge of the footwork and discovery of the path. If you were to run across the same logs again, you might not do it the same way because each set of moments is unique.
You have a rhythm in your paddling, but the waves have a different rhythm. Their rhythm also is somewhat erratic, with energy coming from various directions. So there is constant adjusting in your motions that will ultimately get you to where you want to go.
The boat moves around underneath you, and your hips and lower back need to be loose and relaxed to give it the freedom it needs. But at the same time you are putting strength from your torso into the water to drive the boat and keep your body above the water.
It is a wonderful interplay of many things.
The coast pattern was a long curved beach with rocky points at their ends. Spiky islands were collected at these points. At Teahwhit Head there was an arch (tunnel) to paddle through. Behind rocks were places of calm that still moved up and down with the swells.
Bald eagles were as plentiful as other birds. There were pelicans, plenty of seals and also otters. At one place a large group of otters had re-entered the water and we estimated a count of their heads to be about a hundred. I noticed some wildlife was more healthy than in the Puget Sound: the bull kelp was plentiful and shiny, large sea stars were all over the rocks.
Because of the waves and the low tide there either was no passage inside some of the islands, or it might have been hazardous, so we stayed on their outsides. Swells smashing against the rocks threw foamy white water up in massive fans.
We arrived at Toleak Point. There were views everywhere.
An island with a hole.
We found a good campsite under trees just off the beach. Since the wind was steady into camp, I kept my windbreaker on. For this and the next day we were off the water late afternoon and had time to relax at camp.
Next day, we went farther south, making stops on some beaches. Launching back into the surf as I usually did in calmer water, my cockpit became completely filled before I could get my spray skirt on. After dumping the water, I did it again, this time successfully with an alternate method. (However, this is something I need to learn more about.)
At Goodman Creek, we went up as far as we could and had lunch. Then it was back to camp.
Sunset from camp.
On our last day, there were low clouds and some fog.
At one point we couldn’t see our destination because of the fog, however, we could see the beach and knew we were going in the right direction.
After taking out, it was goodbyes and thanks for a good trip together.
A moonlit beach. •••
My wallet had fallen out of my pocket in the car during the trip out, and I did not realize it. (It was hidden below my seat.) I became concerned about it during my return car trip. I had not seen it in my stuff when I packed up, and I now thought I knew where it had fallen into some bushes back at camp.
I checked through my stuff again - didn't find it. So I drove back, and then hiked out to where we had camped, starting out at 8 p.m. Although the days are at their longest, I knew I would be hiking eventually in the dark.
At the beach ends, there are overland sections to get around the points. These access places are marked with a circular sign on a nearby tree. Most of these trails are pretty good, but there are a couple of sketchy places with only a rope hanging down a steep dirt hill. The good part was that it got full dark after I had made all these crossings once and I knew what to look for.
At the campsite, there was now a group of young people who naturally were curious when I came in and was searching carefully by flashlight in the bushes. Of course, I did not find the wallet there, but I talked with them, and they said they would keep an eye out for it.
The return hike was enjoyable. The wind had calmed. At one point, quiet surf sounds were at my left, a half-moon gave enough light to walk by, stars were overhead, and frogs were croaking at my right where the beach ended.
I got back to the car well after midnight and drove straight home into the morning. Melanie was outside with the dog when I arrived. She had worried about me all night and was glad I was home safe.
After napping for a couple of hours, I went to work. While driving in to work, I found my wallet.
