As a part of educating the public about the clean-up efforts happening along the industrial zone of the Duwamish River through Seattle, several local environmental and governmental organizations sponsored an evening educational paddle along the river. Leaving from a convenient put-in spot at the small urban Duwamish River Park (on 10th Ave S in the South Park neighborhood), we headed south up-river through the very urbanized waterway.
The Duwamish River provided a definite counterpoint to most of the open, natural, and green kayak trips available throughout Washington. About 11 miles can be easily navigable by kayak, and the north part was heavily industrialized with ports, warehouses, barges, marinas, and bridges. Getting beyond the first couple miles started into clean-up and restoration areas interspersed among suburban residential settings. It was actually all quite interesting as a different change of pace and paddle.
Kayaking south from the Duwamish River Park
Paddling up under the Seattle 16th Avenue Bridge
Grouping up to learn about the river, with Mt Rainier beyond the industrial area ahead
Sheesh, that’s a shiny fancy boat!