Portage - A Vashon Island Shortcut
Learn about this narrow strip of land connecting two waterways
If you're paddling down Puget Sound from Seattle to Vashon Island, there's a long way around Maury Island, (SE Vashon) and a short way.
The long way is over 8 miles from Tramp Harbor to the south tip of the island.
By portaging from Tramp Harbor over Portage, a narrow isthmus separating Vashon Island from Maury Island, the route through Quartermaster Harbor is only 4 miles in protected water.
Portage is approx 510 feet wide at high tide. Dockton Road SW, a two lane arterial runs along the eastern side with SW Quartermaster Drive on the west side. In both cases watch for speeding traffic.
Use Portage Way SW to walk your gear from one side to the other.
I recommend timing for high tides as each beach can dry pretty far out on lower tides. You can see the muddy walk on the Quartermaster side above.
If your gear is heavy bring wheels or a buddy for a two person carry.
In Joel Roger's classic 1998 Water Trail book, Joel is seen crossing Portage during his epic paddle from Olympia to Pt Roberts following the early days of the Cascade Marine Trail. His 1980’s to 1990’s era sea kayak is very light, so fairly easy to carry, or so it seems.
History of Portage
The sHebabS name for Portage is StE’xygw1L “where one pushes the canoe over.”
The Shomamish People used Portage not only to shorten trips but to catch birds. By raising 300' wide nets, they would catch birds passing through the narrow gap.
Learn more on My Vashon Island Blog ‘The Opening at Portage.”
For many years exercise bikes were left by the beach on the Tramp Harbor side for outdoor fitness. The bikes disappeared a few years back.
Resources:
History Link: Vashon Island and Maury Island
Paddling the Salish Sea: Get details as a paddler how to paddle here and around Vashon.
Water Trail: Joel Rogers, 1998, Sasquatch Books. Out of print but copies are still floating around.
Check out my new SubStack page: Salish Sea Now and Then
This newsletter explores the region’s past and present through photography, revealing the changing landscapes and coastlines of the Pacific Northwest.
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