Sea Kayak - Nisqually Delta & Reach

Had a great paddle - completing a counter-clockwise loop, starting at Luhr’s Landing, paddling across Nisqually Reach to Anderson Island, paddling along the SW side of Anderson Island to Andy’s Marine Park, crossing back over Nisqually Reach to Tolmie State Park (where we had lunch), then returning to Luhr’s Landing. Rather than taking our boats out immediately upon our return to Luhr’s Landing, we first did a short out-and-back up toward McCallister Creek.

The decision to complete the loop in a counter-clockwise, rather than clockwise direction, was to take immediate advantage of flat seas when we first left Luhrs Landing. As it turned out, the weather was even better than predicted and waves were pretty much non-existent for the entire loop. The wind did pick up slightly during our short out-and-back up toward McCallister Creek. Just before our final return to Luhr’s Landing participants were offered the opportunity to practice rescues, and one of the basic class recent graduates did so.

There were two leaders for this trip (this was my 2nd mentored trip as a leader), and 6 participants. Everyone paddled strongly and seemed to enjoy the trip. For three of the participants this was their basic class experience paddle, and now that they successfully competed the trip, they are eligible to sign up for other Mountaineers paddle trips.