Elkhorn Slough

I tried to go out fishing Sunday, but wifey begged me to take her down to Moss Landing to kayak Elkhorn Slough. I owed her WAF points, so I reluctantly agreed.   Sure, I can pretend I'm a seal huggin, tofu eating, save the whales, eat organic kinda guy..... She commutes past there every day and always has stories to tell about the wildlife she sees.

We launched behind Kayak Connection at Moss, the fog was so thick you could barely see 50 feet. Made it around the bend and there were hundreds of Harbor Seals laying on the docks. What a lovely smell downwind from them. Passed under the Highway 1 overpass and entered the slough. Truly one of the most amazing few hours on the water I have ever experienced.

Large rafts of otters were floating around, laying on their backs, breaking open clams with rocks, and fighting off the sea gulls that float right with them to try and steal their bounty. There are close to 200 otters in this preserve. Then there are groups of seals that will swim right up to you, fearless, curious, but not aggressive at all.

As we made our way further into the slough, the fog lifted enough to see the banks and the huge flocks of brown Pellicans, Cormorants, Herons, Snowy Egrets, we even came upon a flock of 40-60 rare White Pellicans. These guys were huge, 40% bigger than the Browns.

The Pellicans will fly within 3 feet of your head and then they will (in groups of 20-40) swoop down to inches off the water and cruise..

We were the first yaks into the slough, by the time we decided to head back, we rounded a bend and there was this fleet of rental yaks that rivaled the flocks of Pellicans. Never seen that many tandem kayaks, weekends must be great revenues for MBK and KC. They make them all wear wetsuits, paddling jackets, pfds.

My wife jacked my camera to take shots that she can use for water color sketches, so sorry, no pics this time.
 
But I'm telling you, if you ever get the chance, kayak the Elkhorn Slough. It is protected, so no fishing, no getting out of your boat, no bumping shoreline, etc....

But it really is  a different world in there and we plan to go back many times, as the seasons change, the wildlife does as well..

Free launch, and free parking in the dirt lot north of Kayak Connection.

Rich

Thanks,

I've been thinking of taking my family for a Paddle down there...

 Been a little concerned about the seals, but it sounds like they get use to the Plastic boats...

Compared to some of our ocean adventures it does seem pretty tame, BUT it really is a cool place. You can also put in on the inland side of the slough if it helps to work the tides and wind. My wife and I have had many relaxing Sundays there years back. Grab the canoe, Sunday paper, lunch, and a big thermos of coffee, and then put in at either the ocean end or the inland end and then drift in and out while kicked back reading the paper. Good times. Back then no one cared if you got out and hiked around or thouched the banks.

FYI you could fish from the time you take off from the launching area, ( not that theres alot to fish for) to about A quarter mile from the hiway 1 bridge inland. May get lucky. P.S When its hi tide theres alot of channels to cruise in which makes it very cool to take the family...

one note for those taking family, if you paddle the length of the slough from Kirby Park to Moss landing, be aware of the tides.  Time it so that you are moving with the tides. If there is a big minus tide swing and you are paddling against it, tis tough!