July 22 Kayak Expedition – Apostle Islands, WI

 

John Lynch - Solo Trip     

Drove up from Seeley early 7-22 directly to Little Sand Bay

Got to Little Sand Bay later than desired – arrived at ~ 10:00 AM.  Took 2 full hours to pack up, fix jammed rudder peddle, check weather, etc.

When in process of launching – Park ranger warned about Small Craft Advisory..  I told him, it’s OK, I’ve got lots of experience, paddled Canadian shoreline of Lake Superior, etc.   But – I was worried!

Strong NE Winds – definitely 20 Knots;  And – I was starting out around peninsula to NE!   Hadn’t had kayak in water in 2 years!!!   I had to fight to get to Point Detour – Little Sand Bay was very sketchy with 3 to 4 ft waves – dead into the wind.

Stopped in Raspberry Bay – there was a dock with small commercial operation – no one around;  definite worry about stopping somewhere, and not be able to launch / large surf/waves pretty much everywhere.  But – was able to find a good spot near dock – and easy to launch

Once I got to Raspberry Point, started heading SE , then South.  Wind was trailing, water much calmer – it was smooth sailing all the way to Bayfield.  Stopped in Red Cliff Bay – near shipwreck to eat and drink – then took off to Bayfield.  Got some sun, and fast paddling – clocking close to 5 mph near Red Cliff.

ROUTE:

-        Little Sand Bay / Beach/Campground

-        Point Detour

-        Across Raspberry Bay

-        Raspberry Point

-        Across Frog Bay

-        Red Cliff Bay

-        Across Red Cliff Bay

-        Past Red Cliff

-        Bayfield

 

DAY1

Total Miles (GPS / 3 sections) = 17.5 Miles