Kayaking Puget Sound, the San Juans, and Gulf Islands: 50 Trips on the Northwest's Inland Waters [Paperback]

Randel Washburne (Author), R. Carey Gersten (Author, Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 6, 1999

Revised and expanded guide to the best kayaking daytrips and overnighters in an area eminently suited to saltwater paddling, with completely updated information on the original routes from the first edition, plus five new ones. Also includes information on the Cascadia Marine Trail, the only Marine National Recreation Trail in the country3/4how to use it, how to support it.

The extensive inland waterways of the Pacific Northwest are considered among the best in the world for sea kayaking. Beautiful scenery, intricate and protected waterways, clean and clear water, and abundant marine life define the area. On shore are ample public parklands for camping and exploring.

These fifty trips in Puget Sound's myriad islands and fjordlike canals and inlets cover the area from Canada's Gulf Islands to the shores of Tacoma, including the fabulous San Juan islands and the unique Hood Canal. Each trip lists details including duration, potential hazard ratings, directions, an explanation of the area's tides and currents, and more. Also included are safety tips and guidelines for kayaking and camping with minimal impact on the environment.

Editorial Reviews

Review

A wonderful companion for adventuring throughout our prime paddling country. --Sports Etc.

About the Author

Randel Washburne is a veteran sea kayaker and author of several books and numerous articles about kayaking. He teaches sea kayaking and navigation.

Carey Gersten is president of the Washington Water Trails Association and the operator of a kayaking rental and guide service.

Product Details

• Paperback: 253 pages
• Publisher: Mountaineers Books; 2nd edition (May 6, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0898866073
• ISBN-13: 978-0898866070
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #460,945 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > Sports & Outdoors > Outdoor Recreation > Kayaking > Sea Kayaking
  • #84 in Books > Travel > United States > States > Washington

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book about the waterways of Puget Sound., March 3, 2003

By 

G. Powell (Seattle, WA USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Kayaking Puget Sound, the San Juans, and Gulf Islands: 50 Trips on the Northwest's Inland Waters (Paperback)

Lots of good trips, lots of tips about timing your trip with the tides for a more enjoyable and safe trip. Good list of saftey tips. No book is a subsitute for experience but with this on you are less likely to get into trouble. The Puget Sound region has a lot of good open water kayaking and this book covers a lot of that ground.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent kayaking resource, November 13, 2007

By 

Biffle French (Vashon, Wa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kayaking Puget Sound, the San Juans, and Gulf Islands: 50 Trips on the Northwest's Inland Waters (Paperback)

This is the essential guidebook for paddling around the Puget Sound regions. It is one of those books that keeps getting updated every few years, so it is never too far out of date, which is important in our changing world. The marine environment doesn't change much, but access and facilities required to get and stay there do, and this book helps a lot with that.

This is a great book for the day paddler or the committed water traveler, since it rates the difficulty of each trip, lists places to camp and gives clear directions to launch and recovery points. It covers all the inland waters of the Puget Sound at some level of detail. Maps are a key feature of a book like this, and theirs are excellent. If you paddle the Sound, this book belongs in your truck.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Reference Book, June 16, 2008

By 

Discerning Buyer - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Kayaking Puget Sound, the San Juans, and Gulf Islands: 50 Trips on the Northwest's Inland Waters (Paperback)

This is a great reference book. It is very well detailed for each trip. I like the layout, easy to read, giving ratings for protected, moderate or exposed waters, place to put in. I highly recommend it.