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Hammersley Inlet


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Hammersley Inlet

Hammersley Inlet is near Shelton and connects Oakland Bay to southern Puget Sound. Sea kayaking is often accessed via Arcadia boat launch, or Walker County Park, Jacoby Shorecrest County Park, or downtown Shelton.

Launch Points

  • Walker County Park
  • Arcadia Park

on the water

Hammersley Inlet extends 6 nm from Arcadia to the entrance of Oakland Bay at Shelton. The large volume of water in Oakland Bay fills and drains through the narrow inlet providing a great current ride with the correct tidal planning, the famous Shelton Shuttle. Launch from Walker County Park on an ebb and ride the flow to the mouth. Strong currents exist at Skookum and Libby Points, with eddies and whirlpools at Cape Horn. Wait for the flood or paddle back up at slack.  With a morning flood the trip can be done in the other direction from the Arcadia Launch. With a high tide, Mill Creek offers an interesting exploration along the south shore.

INFORMATION for leaders

Scheduling & Permits

  • If you are scheduling this as a non-course related activity, please limit your group size to the default party size. The maximum party size is for use by course field trips only, and includes both students and instructors. Group size maximums do not reflect how course field trips are run (in smaller groups of students and instructors), but allow for course leaders to register the course in our system.
  • If you are scheduling a course field trip, please contact our Member Services Team to confirm the field trip and any permitting regulations.
  • Difficulty: Sea Kayak III
  • Land Manager: Land Manager Varies
  • Parking Permit Required: see Land Manager
  • Recommended Party Size: 12
  • Maximum Party Size: 40
  • Maximum Route/Place Capacity: 40
Map
  • MapTech Puget Sound Chart No. 100
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