By Douglas Scott
David and Valerie Wagner might have the best jobs in Washington. On any given day, the awesome duo can be found on the waters around Hood Canal, paddling kayak-loads of tourists around some of the most scenic waterways in the Pacific Northwest. From the salty waters of Hood Canal, to the fresh water lakes in the area, the two paddlers are sharing their love for the region through kayak tours. For eight seasons they have been the owners and operators of Hood Canal Adventures and each time they hit the water, they fall more in love with the area.
Since 2008, Hood Canal Adventures has been bringing incredible experiences to countless visitors. They, like other great local businesses, are catering to the rising influx of tourists coming to the Hood Canal area. In the past five years, visitation to the resorts, campgrounds, trails, lakes, Olympic National Park and Olympic National Forest areas have been increasing, and the beauty of the region is one of the main reasons, and David Wagner agrees.
“There is such a diverse system of waterways around Hood Canal,” David explained. “With salt water on Hood Canal and fresh water areas like Lakes Kokanee and Cushman, it is really amazing. We have such great wildlife and views. You can see everything right here.”
With so many new people flocking to Hood Canal and Lake Cushman, visitors are find that the perfect experience is just around the corner. Hood Canal Adventures (HCA) offers three main tours, each as fun and unique as the last. The tours are perfect for ages 2-80 and everyone in-between, making their trips a must-experience adventures for individuals, families, or groups who want to get together outside in nature. Under the towering, eagle clad trees, and rocky mountains filled with goats, the tours given by David and Valerie get you up close and personal with the majesty of wilderness along Hood Canal.
For those looking to paddle on Hood Canal, the Salt Water Tour offered by HCA get you out on the gorgeous waters of Hood Canal. Focusing on where the Skokomish River meets Anna’s Bay, this tour has visitors often seeing tons of wildlife, with frequent sightings of seals, eagles and king fishers. Out on this historic waterway, paddlers can experience the waters that have sustained life for the Skokomish peoples for tens of thousands of years.
If the open water isn’t what you are into, Lake Kokanee gets you away from the crowds and into an area where David swears you can see Bigfoot waving to you from the boats. Lake Kokanee is often overlooked, as it doesn’t allow motorized boats and has no visible houses. Just southeast of the larger Lake Cushman, this tour is incredible scenic and one that makes for incredible photography.
The third tour Hood Canal Adventures offers are their Sunset and Stargazing tours located on Lake Cushman. Paddling to the north side of the lake, under the shadow of Mount Rose, Mount Ellinor and Mount Washington, this tour lets paddlers watch the sunset and look at the stars from one of the most beautiful locations on the Olympic Peninsula. Once the sun has set and the stars start coming out, the tour moves to the beach where everyone is kept as dark as possible so light pollution is limited. With each passing moment, more of the universe expands out above you, giving Lake Cushman a timeless, yet memorable destination.
For those that haven’t been on the waters of Hood Canal, or Lakes Kokanee or Cushman, the experience is truly life changing. Paddling out there is something that will stick with you, forever changing your perception of the region and making it somehow even more appealing and beautiful. As your kayak glides along, every paddle can bring a better understanding of our role in the environment. Kayaking in the region is unpredictable, and a slow calm day can suddenly change into a life changing event, as David described.
“Every time I go out, I never know what to expect,” explained David. “A couple of years ago, we were on a salt water tour. For almost an hour, we saw no nature. There was nothing out there. All of a sudden an eagle comes out of the trees and takes a fish out of the water right in front of the kayaks. Then seals came out and started fishing and swimming between the kayaks. The whole mood changed, and you can’t help but smile.”
While anyone can launch a boat into the waters of Lake Cushman, Lake Kokanee and Hood Canal, going with a tour can help alleviate the stresses and worry that come from trying to plan your own adventure.
If you can, it is best to have someone help you get in tune with the water around the region. Along the Hood Canal, you have to be careful of the weather and tides. The water in the Canal is cold, so you have to be careful and prepared for anything and always be aware of water conditions.
Valerie and David of Hood Canal Adventures are experts, and constantly know the weather, tides and water temperature, ensuring you will have a fantastic time on the waters around Hood Canal. For more information, visit Hood Canal Adventures website.