Sea Kayak Trips Bulletin Board

Lake Quinault

Posted By: Mike Hanks
Date: Wednesday, 8 March 2000, at 12:55 p.m.

Lake Quinault

Tammy and I went on a marriage retreat with other couples in my church. The retreat was at Lake Quinault Lodge on the west side of the Olympic Mountains. Of course I had to take my kayaks along. We went up a day early (Thursday) to enjoy the lake and the mountains.

Thursday 5:15PM: The sun was getting low over the glass-like lake when we arrived. Had to check in first, so we did that then watched the sunset across the lake. Didn't paddle any but enjoyed the views then the pampering in the lodge.

Friday 7AM: Went out for an early morning paddle, took the Arctic Tern. Drizzly and cool, but very calm. I was dressed for cooler temps so I stayed plenty warm. Stayed along the shore looking at the woods, docks, and cabins. A dog barked at me from the shore. Saw someone walking along the road the other side of the cabins. I was the only thing on the lake except for waterfowl. Saw lots of ducks, many that I didn't recognize. Off in the distance I saw a white mass with three white lines coming up from the mass. I paddled towards it and realized it was three trumpeter swans. They were swimming away from me now. As I tried to get closer they flew away. I also saw an Osprey nest up in an old tree, no signs of activity though. I was now 1/4 of the way around the lake, and was right by the mouth of the Quinault River. Considered paddling around the lake but decided against it, better to save my energy for later in the weekend. Paddled back towards the lodge along the shore. This time the dog wasn't backing, but came down to the water's edge, wagging his tail. I paddled over towards him. His owners were just finishing breakfast and came out to see if their dog was bothering me, I said no. The asked if I'd seen the swans, as they are new to the lake. We had a nice chat and I paddled back past the lodge to explore the other direction. I mess around looking at more ducks then went in to shower before we had friends over for coffee, tea, juice, and coffeecake. Afterwards Dena (a friend from home) said she saw me out paddling, she walked up the road to look at the elk, they were wandering around in the park just before the river. I guess I didn't look far enough inland to see the herd.

Friday 2PM: Met someone new (Matt) from around home, he is a fellow paddler, and brought a couple of doubles along. Shortly after meeting, we decided to go far a paddle. I let him try my Arctic Tern and I paddled my skin Walrus. He hadn't paddled one before and commented on how nice it performed. It was raining now and there was a little breeze. Got a little rain on my face but otherwise stayed dry. Paddled the to the same place, but more direct and at a faster pace, went up the river a very short ways. We told the wives we would only be out for an hour, so we headed back. Got some exercise and made a new friend.

Saturday 11:30AM: Very sunny, warm and dead calm! This is the rainforest??? The retreat was officially over so the rest was free time. Tammy and I were ready to get some paddling in. Several friends came down to look at my homemade kayaks and to see us off. Matt and his wife took out their Seda double, Tammy took the Walrus, I went in the Tern. Matt and his wife took off first, and headed straight for the middle of the lake. Tammy took off next and I followed. I had to stop and fetch a tennis ball out of the water that someone's dog wouldn't. After that Tammy and I followed Matt and his wife. They had stopped in the middle of the lake. We rafted up with them, and they shared some of their extra lunch, we had a huge breakfast earlier in the morning. We dined on seaweed, grapes, apples, cookies, and chocolates, Matt and his wife also had yogurt, using apple slices as spoons. After lunch we split up, Matt and his wife went towards the shore and headed back to the lodge. Tammy and I went to the river. We went ashore and wandered around, looking at all the elk hoofprints everywhere. We also saw a beaver dam, so old trees were growing from it. I got back in and paddled up to it, I couldn't see over it and didn't feel like standing up in my kayak to see. We paddled back along the shore, talked to a family in the park; they were from our hometown (Tacoma) and came up for the day to get away from the rain. It was raining inland, but was nice on the coast. Tammy and I paddled a little more then went ashore to switch kayaks. Tammy saw I river otter, but I missed it. We then went back to the lodge to get pampered some more. The breeze picked up and white caps formed just after we came in.

Saturday 5:30PM Went down with Kent (newlywed friend) to the kayaks to pack up the gear before dark. Tammy stayed with Aubrey his wife. Kent saw the kayaks and wanted to go out. He used to paddle WW kayaks. I gave him the Tern to paddle because he had boots on. He was surprised by how straight it tracked. The sun was setting so we paddled into it. There was a slight breeze and small waves. We watched birds diving for dinner. After the sunset we headed to shore and paddled back to the lodge in the twilight. We dined on salmon in the lodge.

Sunday Sunny, clear, and cold. Thick frost everywhere. No paddling, but we drove around looking for elk in the morning. Found out they were on the opposite side of the lake this morning and we'd already missed them. We went out to the ocean in the afternoon. We stopped at Kalaloch. Very windy, and huge breakers. People asked if I was taking the kayaks out. Not in that surf! Went for a walk on the beach and saw three river otters playing in the mouth of Kalaloch Creek. Headed home and watched the sunset in the rearview mirror.

Sea Kayak Trips Bulletin Board is maintained by Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks with WebBBS 5.12.