Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- lake_whatcom [2024/05/03 22:32]
preavley
+++ lake_whatcom [2025/10/09 15:44] (current)
pstureavley
@@ Line 24: / Line 24: @@
   * **L. Whatcom Southerly Boat Launch to L. Whatcom Park Trailhead **- approx. 4 miles
-  * **L. Whatcom Southerly Boat Launch to Bloedel Donovan Park **- 9.0-9.5 miles [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/lake-whatcom-downwind|Downwindfun]] (second half bends from going north to going northwest so you may want some significant E component in the wind). You can go inside or outside of Reveille Island depending on which way seems to set up better for the rest of the run, or whether you want more wind protection (going left of the island will generally offer more wind protection in the section near and immediately after the island).
+  * **L. Whatcom Southerly Boat Launch to Bloedel Donovan Park **- 9.0-9.5 miles [[https://www.downwind.fun/courses/lake-whatcom-downwind|Downwindfun]] (second half bends from going north to going northwest so you probably want some significant E component in the wind, SE & ESE tend to work). You can go inside or outside of Reveille Island depending on which way seems to set up better for the rest of the run, or whether you want more wind protection (going left of the island will generally offer more wind protection in the section near and immediately after the island). The beginning of this run at the launch is pretty protected from the wind and allows you some warmup time before you stick you nose into the wind.
   * **L. Whatcom Park Trailhead to Bloedel Donovan Park **- approx. 6 miles - E may be a better wind for this section but SE can work. Check the wave direction at Bloedel Donovan Park to insure waves are working the way you want.
   * **Lk.Whatcom Downwind Reports**
@@ Line 44: / Line 44: @@
 **Downwind route from Southerly Boat Launch to Bloedel Donovan Boat Ramp**
+(this path went between Reveille Island and the left shore)
 {{:locales:bellingham:lkwhatcom_dw.jpg?direct&500x335|lkwhatcom_dw.jpg}}
@@ Line 50: / Line 52: @@
 </WRAP>
+===== Safety =====
+<WRAP indent>
+As mentioned above, downwinding weather will typically mean few if any motorboats to watch out for unless you get a rare warmer season run. Bellingham wind season is Fall and Winter when there is far less motorboat activity than in the warmer months.
+Your main concern during wind season is usually going to be water temperature. Lake Whatcom is much more friendly than Bellingham Bay wavewise in all but the wildest winds. But the **lake water is considerably colder in the windy season**, particularly in **January, February and early March**, so you have to dress for immersion. And dress for extended immersion if you are testing limits in any fashion - tippier boat, little or no buddy support, first run on Whatcom, etc. There is no Coast Guard or rescue service on the lake. In the Winter you and your party will often be the only ones on the water. Plan carefully and watch out for each other.
+If you are doing a full length of the lake from the Southerly Boat Launch and the wind is E rather than SE, it is a good idea to hug the right shore in the calm branch of the lake at the start and first work you way farther across the lake going N or NE when you hit the wind coming from your right from Blue Canyon before you turn left and start to go with the wind. That will make it much easier (and more fun) to either make the gap at Reveille Island or go right of the island. Otherwise an East wind will tend to push you hard left into shore before you can reach the gap between the island and shore (after which the lake turns more to the northwest).
+On particularly strong gusty East wind runs you can get a blast of gusts as you go around the right side of Reveille Island (the left side gap is more protected). After the Island sometimes you can get an occasional gust from Sudden Valley on your left. Until you get to the final basin of the lake where you approach Bloedel Donovan, typically there is little unusual turbulence unless you go close to Strawberry Pt. (on the map above this is the point that sticks out on the south side just above and right of the Stimpson Family Nature Reserve icon) where you can get some rebound. Stay farther right if you want to avoid that.
+In the last basin of the lake waves typically will build to their largest of the run. It can be a little difficult to identify the old pier support logs and buoy line that you go around keeping the buoys on your left as you turn left to get into the landing at the park. Don't cut left too early, but as soon as you identify the end of the buoy line and your turn you need to start going left to get the buoy line closer on your left. Following other experienced paddlers here is not a bad idea for first timers.
+</WRAP>
+----
 ===== Wind =====
@@ Line 57: / Line 77: @@
   * **Tempest Weather Stations **
       * These are home gauges and will generally clearly underreport actual wind on lake. If you watch them over time you might be able to come up with an extrapolation factor for some wind directions and relative strength of actual wind on the lake for those directions.
-      * [[https://tempestwx.com/station/34066/|North Shore Rd]] North Shore Rd. about half way between Agate Bay and Smith Creek
+      * [[https://tempestwx.com/map/175266/48.6907/-122.3727/12|Tempest Weather Stations Map]]
+      * …
+----
 ===== Launches =====
@@ Line 68: / Line 91: @@
   * [[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lake+Whatcom+Southerly+Boat+Launch/@48.6734379,-122.3167415,191m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m13!1m7!3m6!1s0x5485a6e18fe14f47:0x52390abf6a57a72c!2sLake+Whatcom!3b1!8m2!3d48.7426158!4d-122.3546833!3m4!1s0x548509fad410ec25:0xa14d516c4a959f25!8m2!3d48.6734379!4d-122.3156472|Lake Whatcom Southerly Boat Launch]] (Wa. Fish & Wildlife) Need Discover Pass to Park
   * [[http://www.vu.wwu.edu/lakewood/|Western Washington University's Lakewood Facility]] (For students, alumni, faculty/staff) - you can also purchase seasonal access pass if you participate in senior education program at Western.
+  * …
+----
 ===== Races =====
-  * [[:surfski.wiki:races:bellingham_area_races|Bellingham area races]]
+  * [[:races:bellingham_area_races|Bellingham area races]]
-  * ...
+  * …
+----
 ===== Video =====

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