LA PUSH WASHINGTON

on the Quilayute River July 27, 2009

Traveling down the Washington coast by small boat can be quite an adventure. There are few places to pull in to anchor overnight safely. If one anticipates a stop, La Push on the mouth of the Qulayute River can be a place where small boats can seek refuge. Most of the boats in the small boat basin are commercial fishing boats. Others are 21-24 power boats of sport salmon fishers. These boats are trailered here from the Olympic Peninsula and other places. I talked to one boat owner who had caught their limit of two salmon each during the day. They used herring and were out about 7 miles from shore. This boat was a 22' Stripper from Sequim.

I also saw one small sailboat anchored outside the breakwater. It looked to be about 27' He had an inflatable dingy and a bicycle tied to his stern. There was one other small Bayliner Buccaneer sailboat in the boat basin which looked like it had been there for a season or more. Perhaps they had more adventure getting to La Push than they wanted.


I was curious about the course to enter the bay with James Island looming over the harbor entrance.

I was fortunate to watch a powerboat about 36-38' make the approach from the sea. The approach is from the South. There are two Red buoys running perpendicular to the shore which establish the north-south line to begin the approach. The boat then turns North and travels behind James Island in a narrow channel near the East side of the Island. There is a range marker on shore to guide one in the channel. There are also two green buoys which mark the channel. The boat basin is then entered through a small opening marked by port and starboard lights. When I looked at my NOAA chart for La Push and ENC charts I did not see the 2 green bouys marking the shallow channel approaching the boat basin. I also noted that the BSB chart had a red colored bouy on the entrance to the boat basin with a verbal description of a green buoy. There is a US Coast Guard Station at La Push.

Here are more some pictures of La Push.

Viewing South from the beach behind the school
Viewing North across the Quilayute River.

These were taken on one the warmest days you will see on the Washington coast(July 27, 2009). It was in the 80's inland, but still only in the low 70's here.

23 They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters; 24 These see the works of the LORD, and his wonders in the deep. 25 For he commands, and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the waves. 26 They mount up to the heaven, they go down again to the depths: their soul is melted because of trouble. 27 They reel to and fro, and stagger like a drunken man, and are at their wits’ end. 28 Then they cry to the LORD in their trouble, and he brings them out of their distresses. 29 He makes the storm a calm, so that the waves are still. 30 Then are they glad because they are quiet; so he brings them to their desired haven. 31 Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men!
Psalm 107

Dennis Feten