Northwest Recreation

That’s right!  October 1st is here in a few days, and for most, that’s officially the end of the boating season.  Cold temperatures in the northwest, coupled with the rainy season make this the end for this year.  As noted before, boats should have their fall winterizing performed, and wakeboarding equipment should be properly attended to as well.

Remember to clean your boat out good so you don’t have dirt and grime left in there next spring.  Although not a necessity, it is definitely something you want to do for the general tidiness of your own boat.  For wakeboards, you will want to scrub them down with a good soap or mild bleach solution to keep anything from growing on them this winter.  The same goes for tow ropes and life jackets.  Clean them well to prevent mildew and mold from forming.  Tow ropes especially should be soaked for a few minutes in a bleach solution to clean them off and ready them for a new year.  This is also the time to inspect your equipment and rope to make any repairs and replacements necessary.

Although the end of boating season has arrived, don’t let that dampen your spirits.  Wakeboarders can try out snowboarding, and boaters will find plenty of other opportunities to keep themselves entertained.  Keep coming back!  Stick around and you might learn about a new sport you might like to try!  Happy end-of-September!

Part III:  Best Places

As a final in the series, it is only fair to represent the best places on Alder Lake.  Here are the top 3, each with their own unique benefits and treasures you’ll be sure to enjoy:

1. The first is a small peninsula jutting out from the far side of the lake.  Getting there is super simple: From the boat launch, go straight ahead between the island and the shore to the left.  Turn slightly right, and on the far shore opposite the island (now to your left) will be a small piece of land jutting out into the water.  From there, you can camp and carefully moor your boat on the shore in your own private bay.  The small cliff is perfect for rock jumping into the water and makes a great spot for all around fun and relaxation.

   Picture from the peninsula:
   

2. The second is another small area to put your boat up on shore.  To get there, go around the island from the boat launch to the right.  Then turn left around the island until you see a small inlet with an entrance marked by buoys.  Note that there are two inlets, one to the right (non-motorized), and one to the left which is your target.  It’s a no wake zone, so keep it slow upon entering through the gate, and immediately on your right will be a very small island and cove that you can pull into for camping and swimming.

   Picture from the cove looking toward the huge rock for jumping:
   

3. The third is a huge rock that makes for some perfect extreme rock jumping.  Follow the same directions as number two, but go past the small island on your right upon entering the no wake area, and continue until you see a large 25 foot rock on your left.  You may have to swim to shore (because of underwater debris), but the jumping makes it worth it.  Remember to keep your arms at your side and legs straight! 

   Picture of the huge rock for jumping off of:
   

That wraps up this series.  I hope you enjoyed learning a little more about Alder Lake, and subsequent information will follow in the future.  Have a fun and safe time boating!

Part II:  Main activities

The main activities you’ll want to focus on if you choose Alder Lake is the phenomenal wakeboarding/water skiing and tubing that are available.  If you choose to do one of these, your best bet is the other side of the island after launching in the standard day use dock.  Go through the channel that is straight out from the dock and turn right, then start near the shore in calm water.

If you choose to go swimming, you may want to consider the end of the lake.  This can be reached by going through the channel straight out from the dock and turn left.  Continue until you reach the end of the lake.  You can continue by going left through another channel which will take you to another opening, but the water is usually choppy in this area.  Stopping at the end will give you a good place to swim and relax without too many rough waves or boating traffic.

Another option is picnicing at the day use area.  After launching your boat, go right to the mooring docks about 1000 feet out.  Moor your boat and unload your cooler for a lunch with a great view.  Have kids?  Not a problem, if you head up the ramp off the dock and up to the picnic tables, you’ll notice a huge playground.

No matter what the crowd, there is something for practically anyone at Alder Lake.  Keep reading for some great spots to hang out for the day and to do some really awesome stuff.

Alder Lake: Overview

As the season winds down, I can’t help but write at least one 3 part series on boating.  Now that we’ve covered boating and what you need to get started, it’s time to hit the water.  Experienced boaters, you’re in for a treat.  Alder Lake, located near Elbe, WA offers you plenty of recreation opportunities.  Water sports are a favorite past time at Alder Lake, and it’s not uncommon to see boating, tubing, wakeboarding, water skiing, and swimming in the afternoon.

As a lake, Alder has it made pretty well.  It is dammed up, feeding the Nisqually River far below the walls of what used to be one of the largest dams in the U.S. at the time of construction.  The recreation area covers nearly 3000 square miles, so you’ll have no problems finding enough to do on the water and enough space to roam.

If you do decide to go to Alder Lake, try to go during the week, because the crowds really come in over the weekend.  The lake offers a mooring spot with room for about 15-20 boats on a first come, first serve basis.  This is located by the day use area.  The lake has two spots to put in boats.  The first is the Alder Lake access area on the right when driving near Elbe on Hwy 7.  The second is located a few miles farther down and is a fishing boat launch.

Directions:
From I-5 south Tacoma, WA, take the hwy 512 exit east towards Puyallup.  Take the hwy 7 exit and continue on highway 7 for about 25-30 miles.  Alder Lake will be on the right.

Note:  Pictures to be included in the last post of the series.

What happened to summer?!  It seems to have flown by this year.  Despite the fleeting days of summer and the fast approach of winter, there is still time for a few last good boating runs.  But what happens after the last boat outing, however?  What then?  Do you put the boat under lock and key and forget about it until spring?  Here are some things to start taking into consideration as that final boating excursion approaches:

• Winterize your boat:  Do it by a professional that knows the engine on YOUR boat.  If that’s a Mercury, go to a Mercury certified mechanic.  Winterizing your boat is important to maintaining your boat in the winter.  Once winterized, your boat will be safe for winter storage.
• Clean it up:  Clean up your boat!  Take a vacuum to the inside, wipe the vinyl seats, and clean the instruments.  It will keep your boat looking new and well taken care of.
• Dry it out:  Make sure that you have all the water in the carpet and in between/under the seats dry before putting the cover on to reduce the chance of mildew.

The boating season is fast approaching, so remember to make a list of things to do for your boat!

Unfortunately it’s a little late to be writing about boating: nonetheless, I decided to write anyway and add the category for next year since we have a nice week in store.  For those who own a boat, you’re a privileged bunch.  For those who don’t, it’s something to consider.  As a boater myself, I enjoy the benefits the water brings as a driver and outdoor recreational enthusiast.  Whether you own a small 30 HP boat, or a 350HP wake boarding boat, you can enjoy some serious benefits in the northwest region.  Here are a few things you’ll need to get started:

1. A boat.  Whether you rent, borrow, or own your own doesn’t matter.  The bottom line is, I don’t know a soul alive who can boat without some time of water craft. 
2. A license (optional in some areas).  As a Washington state resident, I was in the age bracket this year for getting a license.  If you don’t know already, each progressive year from now on has an age bracket which must get a license to operate a boat over 15 HP in Washington.  Definitely check your state regulations and look into BoaterExam.com for more info.
3. A place.  You’ll want a good lake for this sport.  Crowded lakes can be fun for the social events, but if you’re after serenity, you need to start hunting.  Whether it’s Payette Lake in McCall, ID, or Lake Kachess, WA (or anything in between), find a good lake that meets your needs to boat in.

If you like water, boating can provide you with hours of enjoyment and relaxation, depending on what boating style you like.  Either way, there’s something for everyone—even the whole family—when boating!