Elkhorn Slough to Kirby Park and back – Trip rated L1 EASY

NOTE: You must have sent in the 2025 Waiver to get on the "GOING" list. Meetup message Ken N for waiver information.

Meetup: 10:00AM OTW by 10:30AM sharp to catch the tide
Address: 2390 CA-1, Moss Landing, CA

Note: This trip limited to 20 paddlers
NO inflatables, folding boats or SUP’s. Minimum boats length 12 ft.

We will paddle from Moss Landing Marina to Kirby Park and back, about 10 miles round trip.

Elkhorn Slough is a magical place, harboring the largest tract of tidal salt marsh in California outside of San Francisco Bay. This biologically rich estuary, at the mouth of the underwater Monterey Canyon, provides habitat for a diversity of resident and migratory birds, plants, marine mammals and fish, and is identified as a Globally Important Bird Area by the American Birding Conservancy.

More than 125 Southern sea otters reside here, along with hundreds of harbor seals and a number of California sea lions. As part of the Pacific flyway, tens of thousands of birds migrate through every year. All told, over 340 species of birds are identified in and around the slough. There will be great photo opportunities.

We will paddle from the beach behind Monterey Bay Kayaks, in the Moss Landing North Harbor to Kirby Park, where we will eat lunch. On the return, we will include a side trip to through of Rubis Creek. Overall, it’s about a ten-mile trip.

Afternoon winds can be strong and, in that case, will trump any favorable tide. Consider your stamina to paddle into the wind.
The county parking lot fee is $16 bring small bills as you cannot get change where you pay to park. Water and toilets available at the Moss Landing. Port-o-poddy at Kirby Park.

NOTE: The organizers of this trip are not professional paddlers. Each paddler must have the training, experience and equipment required to complete this paddle safely, including for self-rescue, and must assume all personal risks. A Coast Guard-approved life jacket or Personal Flotation Device (PFD) must be worn.

Trip Rating L1 explained
These trips are good for Beginners or experienced senior paddlers wanting flat water with light breeze within swimming distance to shore, no current and waves less than 4 inches. Paddlers should be able to enter and exit their boat unassisted from shore or boat dock and have a Forward and Reverse stroke. Paddlers should be able to maintain a 2 mph pace for up to 1/2 hour.

Level 1 Paddlers are just getting started or desire to paddle only in calm, protected area, such as lakes, lazy rivers, sloughs, paddling near the beach.” If the wind begins to blow, you plan to head for shore. You do not wish to do deepwater rescues, so your safety depends on staying within easy swimming distance of easily accessible shorelines.