Exploring Seattle's Shilshole Bay at a Minus Low Tide
I took advantage of a -2.91 tide today to explore a shoreline that's usually submerged.
This morning I checked out the Ballard Elks Paddling Club’s webcam of Shilshole Bay which is part of trip 22 in my book.
The cam view reminded me there was an extreme low tide of -2.91 at noon! The cam also showed the King County Environmental Lab crew out doing their annual maintenance of their purple martin gourds on the pilings off shore.
After a weekend of coaching paddlers I hadn’t planned to paddle today but I’m a fan of low tides so going out would be an opportunity to explore the shorelines on a free day.
Plus the Rachel Carlson, a UW research boat was headed north on the MarineTraffic app. This boat has a great surf wake at it’s stern.
I grabbed my wetsuit, life jacket, booties for the sand and rocky beach and gloves since it was a chilly 53F with light winds. And chose my lightest surf ski, the 25 pound Carbonology Cruze for the long low tide carry out to the waterline. I always have my iPhone 12 in a waterproof pouch stuffed in a PFD pocket on a string. I use it for photos and to check messages if needed.
Once at the low tide line, I spoke to the King County folks about their work as they cleaned and re-installed gourds on the over 125 year old pilings. I think the pilings were from logging operations in Ballard in the late 19th century. Or they’re from the Tregoning Boat Company which was at the site from 1900 until the 1950’s.
Purple martins (Progne subis) migrate to the Pacific Northwest every April from Brazil and are often seen flying in and out of the gourds on the pilings below the Ballard Elk Lodge. Read more about the King County project.
I launched my boat and crossed the narrow boating channel separating Ballard from Magnolia. There’s always current flowing out of the Locks and with the big ebb (outgoing tide) a 15 knot south wind I had to use a ‘ferry angle’ moving my boat at a 45 degree angle to cross the channel without being pushed downstream.
On the west shore I found eddies which have no or minimal current to start working my way up the channel. Crows and seagulls were having a hoot picking at the seaweed.
The shore rose abruptly above showing evidence of the Locks dredging from 1915. Pre-Locks, one could cross here at low tide. Shilshole in the Duwamish language means ‘threading the bead’ which relates to entering the bay mouth through sand bars at lower tides.
Further up, I always enjoy exploring the shoreline homes on pilings on the north side. Some date to the early twentieth century and were used as boat houses. These days, modern homes and condos fill in around the cottages.
The low tide exposed the foundations of the 1915 bascule train bridge which I’ve heard has 40 trains a day flying through as well as the occasional sightings of Boeing fuselages coming in from Wichita.
Ready to head back, I got a free ride in the middle of the channel towards my launch spot thanks to the strong south wind and outgoing Locks current.
Just before the end of my ride, I popped in between Ray’s Boathouse and the home on pilings that used to be Golden Tides and Azteca. I wondered what it would take to remove all the creosote pilings below Ray’s. That part of their dock used to be where the prior company rented out fishing boats but hasn’t been used for decades. Near shore is a beautiful sandy beach.
Luckily the tide had come in enough that my walk to the parking lot was half the distance as before.
Resources:
Order my book Paddling the Salish Sea to learn the full details for launching and paddling this spot and others in Seattle. This post is from Trip 22 in the book.
Tides: I use the NOAA Tides App on my phone and the Evergreen Pacific Seattle Tide Graph Calendar.
Seattle Ship Spotter - This is a fun Instagram page from a resident on lower Salmon Bay who has a great view of ship activity below the Ballard Locks.
Join the Ballard Elks to get guilt free parking and direct access to the beach above the pilings. As a member you can grab a beer and a bite after you paddle on the outdoor patio with views of passing boats, Bainbridge Island and the Olympic Mountains. Our Paddle Club has stand up paddle board storage. Kayak storage coming.
Learn about Purple Martins in Seattle
Find pre-contact and recent history for this spot with these resources:
Native Seattle by Coll Thrush - lists longhouses and other villages in what is now Seattle.
Paul Dorpat’s Seattle Now and Then books and blog.
David William’s book on the history of the Ship Canal
I provide custom surfski and SUP coaching.
Through my business Salmon Bay Paddle I offer 1-1 and 2 person personalized paddling lessons for sups and surf skis in the Seattle area and beyond for all skill levels.
Whether starting as a total beginner or as an advanced paddler seeking to refine your skills I can help you reach your goals whether it be touring, learning about tides and currents or trip planning, paddling safely in Deception Pass or surfing freighter waves in Seattle.
Contact me to chat. / Follow me on IG: @salmonbaypaddle
Book Me - I'm available to present my book and related paddling topics. Contact me