Lake Cresent -- sunken ferry at east beach?

zoo_diver · 8th October 2007, 16:33

Howdy --

This past week we were up at Lake Cresent (WA) doing some training on East Beach. A local came up and asked if we were heading out to the sunken ferry (pointing to the north shore). I was just wondering if anyone else had heard/knows anything about a ferry near East Beach at Lake Cresent.

4ster · 9th October 2007, 01:05

In about a week I will be taking delivery of a side scan sonar. I am looking for a site to try it out (hint).

It has been a few years since I have dived Cresent Lake. It is a great last dive of a Tounge Point dive weekend.

RonMicjan · 9th October 2007, 02:46

Dont forget about the warren car and another at 170-190fsw in Lake Cresent. Great dives and awesome vis.

camerone · 9th October 2007, 04:11

Quote: (Originally Posted by zoo_diver)

This past week we were up at Lake Cresent (WA) doing some training on East Beach. A local came up and asked if we were heading out to the sunken ferry (pointing to the north shore). I was just wondering if anyone else had heard/knows anything about a ferry near East Beach at Lake Cresent.

Yeah, it's not really a ferry. It's a barge that was used at the turn of the century or thereabouts to move stuff around the lake.

It's in around 75-80 feet of water not far from East Beach. Note that you're not allowed to enter the water from the swimming area, so head to the right (as you're facing the water), past the picnic tables, and down the trail a little ways, and you'll see a good entry point not far past where the trail heads into the trees along the shore.

Enter the water, drop down, and keep the contour on your right. You'll cross some kind of pipeline (small - water for a house?) and eventually come across the barge, which is pretty well preserved. It's a flat surface, and fairly shallow - five to six feet tall, if memory serves. It's been a few years. Cool old timbers making up the structure, but not all that big, and not a heck of a lot to see.

Lake Crescent can be a lot of fun - the Warren Car isn't divable any more without a permit, however. It's actually posted with a NPS sign on the side of the road, and I've almost always had rangers wander by when I'm out there.

The better diving that way is out at Salt Creek, a Clallam County park, with amazing salt water dives in the Strait of Juan de ***a. Do them, then rinse off on the way home in the gin clear bathtub of the lake.

zoo_diver · 9th October 2007, 16:20

Quote: (Originally Posted by RonMicjan)

Dont forget about the warren car and another at 170-190fsw in Lake Cresent. Great dives and awesome vis.

i'm pretty sure the park rangers have tightened the reins on diving the warren car. ranger bob made his presence known to us on a couple of occasions. you have to get a special permit to dive the warren car.

on a totally seperate note for folks running courses up at lake cresent: there is some sort of fee or pass that instructors have to get to use the lake! the trick around it is to let everyone in your group know that you are doing a "guided" dive, not teaching a class.

zoo_diver · 9th October 2007, 16:24

Quote: (Originally Posted by camerone)

Yeah, it's not really a ferry. It's a barge that was used at the turn of the century or thereabouts to move stuff around the lake.

It's in around 75-80 feet of water not far from East Beach. Note that you're not allowed to enter the water from the swimming area, so head to the right (as you're facing the water), past the picnic tables, and down the trail a little ways, and you'll see a good entry point not far past where the trail heads into the trees along the shore.

Enter the water, drop down, and keep the contour on your right. You'll cross some kind of pipeline (small - water for a house?) and eventually come across the barge, which is pretty well preserved. It's a flat surface, and fairly shallow - five to six feet tall, if memory serves. It's been a few years. Cool old timbers making up the structure, but not all that big, and not a heck of a lot to see.

Lake Crescent can be a lot of fun - the Warren Car isn't divable any more without a permit, however. It's actually posted with a NPS sign on the side of the road, and I've almost always had rangers wander by when I'm out there.

The better diving that way is out at Salt Creek, a Clallam County park, with amazing salt water dives in the Strait of Juan de ***a. Do them, then rinse off on the way home in the gin clear bathtub of the lake.

thanks for the beta! we didnt know about the no entries from the swimming area. at the end of the swimming area were the bottom slopes down to 40-50 feet is an amazing view -- those trees that have been there since the beginning of time are impressive.

camerone · 9th October 2007, 21:20

Quote: (Originally Posted by zoo_diver)

thanks for the beta! we didnt know about the no entries from the swimming area. at the end of the swimming area were the bottom slopes down to 40-50 feet is an amazing view -- those trees that have been there since the beginning of time are impressive.

Yeah, it's been that way forever, and it's not a real big deal, as the entries are generally pretty good off that trail.

I've heard that the ticket is fairly expensive for violating the rules and diving from the swimming area. It's also federal, as you're in the Olympic National Park. What you get kind of depends on the ranger/park police. Some have been really cool - even a few divers amongst them, and others are, well, you know...

In any case, there are some other good sites along the lake -- couple of the turn-offs on 101 along the way are pretty decent entries, and La Poel has a sunken forest. The boulder field between Lake Crescent and Lake Sunderland is also pretty good, I've heard, but I've not dived it myself. Apparently, the two lakes were once a single larger lake until a large, prehistoric landslide.

-C

zoo_diver · 9th October 2007, 22:20

Quote: (Originally Posted by camerone)

Yeah, it's been that way forever, and it's not a real big deal, as the entries are generally pretty good off that trail.

I've heard that the ticket is fairly expensive for violating the rules and diving from the swimming area. It's also federal, as you're in the Olympic National Park. What you get kind of depends on the ranger/park police. Some have been really cool - even a few divers amongst them, and others are, well, you know...

In any case, there are some other good sites along the lake -- couple of the turn-offs on 101 along the way are pretty decent entries, and La Poel has a sunken forest. The boulder field between Lake Crescent and Lake Sunderland is also pretty good, I've heard, but I've not dived it myself. Apparently, the two lakes were once a single larger lake until a large, prehistoric landslide.

-C

We did the 1st turn out off 101 -- the entry was shady and we had to use a guide rope, but the dive was really impressive. The bottom dropped really fast and before I knew it we were in 170 feet of water. I wasn't very impressed with the area near the Sherman car. Overall I think the lake has a lot to offer.

pattimegdiver · 10th October 2007, 22:36

I have been diving Lake Crescent the last 2 months. Beautiful location and the vis is incredible. PM me, and I will set you up with one of my dive buddy Michael H and he has been getting the permits and dealing with the rangers. There is a dodge car about 200' deep and the warren car at 171'. The warren car is a memorial for the warren family that died in 1929, and the car was found in 2003, and unfortunately there have been divers that have been taking stuff off the car

. Probably the reason for the permits.

8th October 2007, 16:33	#1 (permalink)
zoo_diver Is it snack time yet? Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Suffolk, VA Posts: 239	Lake Cresent -- sunken ferry at east beach? Howdy -- This past week we were up at Lake Cresent (WA) doing some training on East Beach. A local came up and asked if we were heading out to the sunken ferry (pointing to the north shore). I was just wondering if anyone else had heard/knows anything about a ferry near East Beach at Lake Cresent.
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9th October 2007, 01:05	#2 (permalink)
4ster Addicted to Oxygen Current Rebreather/s: rEvo Other Rebreather/s: rEvo Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Arlington, Washington Posts: 257	Re: Lake Cresent -- sunken ferry at east beach? In about a week I will be taking delivery of a side scan sonar. I am looking for a site to try it out (hint). It has been a few years since I have dived Cresent Lake. It is a great last dive of a Tounge Point dive weekend. __________________ Steve "My problem is that I have trouble reconciling my gross habits with my net income." Errol Flynn
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9th October 2007, 02:46	#3 (permalink)
RonMicjan Cap Ron scourge of the NW Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Dolphin Home Build Other Rebreather/s: Sport Kiss Classic Kiss Dolphin Home Build Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Cape Disapointment, The Graveyard of the Pacific Posts: 1,081	Re: Lake Cresent -- sunken ferry at east beach? Dont forget about the warren car and another at 170-190fsw in Lake Cresent. Great dives and awesome vis. __________________ Ron "Life is pain princess, anyone who tells you different, is selling something", The Dread Pirate Wesley. www.tmishop.com Diving bits etc.
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9th October 2007, 04:11	#4 (permalink)
camerone New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 61	Re: Lake Cresent -- sunken ferry at east beach? Quote: (Originally Posted by zoo_diver) This past week we were up at Lake Cresent (WA) doing some training on East Beach. A local came up and asked if we were heading out to the sunken ferry (pointing to the north shore). I was just wondering if anyone else had heard/knows anything about a ferry near East Beach at Lake Cresent. Yeah, it's not really a ferry. It's a barge that was used at the turn of the century or thereabouts to move stuff around the lake. It's in around 75-80 feet of water not far from East Beach. Note that you're not allowed to enter the water from the swimming area, so head to the right (as you're facing the water), past the picnic tables, and down the trail a little ways, and you'll see a good entry point not far past where the trail heads into the trees along the shore. Enter the water, drop down, and keep the contour on your right. You'll cross some kind of pipeline (small - water for a house?) and eventually come across the barge, which is pretty well preserved. It's a flat surface, and fairly shallow - five to six feet tall, if memory serves. It's been a few years. Cool old timbers making up the structure, but not all that big, and not a heck of a lot to see. Lake Crescent can be a lot of fun - the Warren Car isn't divable any more without a permit, however. It's actually posted with a NPS sign on the side of the road, and I've almost always had rangers wander by when I'm out there. The better diving that way is out at Salt Creek, a Clallam County park, with amazing salt water dives in the Strait of Juan de ***a. Do them, then rinse off on the way home in the gin clear bathtub of the lake.
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9th October 2007, 16:20	#5 (permalink)
zoo_diver Is it snack time yet? Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Suffolk, VA Posts: 239	Re: Lake Cresent -- sunken ferry at east beach? Quote: (Originally Posted by RonMicjan) Dont forget about the warren car and another at 170-190fsw in Lake Cresent. Great dives and awesome vis. i'm pretty sure the park rangers have tightened the reins on diving the warren car. ranger bob made his presence known to us on a couple of occasions. you have to get a special permit to dive the warren car. on a totally seperate note for folks running courses up at lake cresent: there is some sort of fee or pass that instructors have to get to use the lake! the trick around it is to let everyone in your group know that you are doing a "guided" dive, not teaching a class.
(Offline)

9th October 2007, 16:24	#6 (permalink)
zoo_diver Is it snack time yet? Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Suffolk, VA Posts: 239	Re: Lake Cresent -- sunken ferry at east beach? Quote: (Originally Posted by camerone) Yeah, it's not really a ferry. It's a barge that was used at the turn of the century or thereabouts to move stuff around the lake. It's in around 75-80 feet of water not far from East Beach. Note that you're not allowed to enter the water from the swimming area, so head to the right (as you're facing the water), past the picnic tables, and down the trail a little ways, and you'll see a good entry point not far past where the trail heads into the trees along the shore. Enter the water, drop down, and keep the contour on your right. You'll cross some kind of pipeline (small - water for a house?) and eventually come across the barge, which is pretty well preserved. It's a flat surface, and fairly shallow - five to six feet tall, if memory serves. It's been a few years. Cool old timbers making up the structure, but not all that big, and not a heck of a lot to see. Lake Crescent can be a lot of fun - the Warren Car isn't divable any more without a permit, however. It's actually posted with a NPS sign on the side of the road, and I've almost always had rangers wander by when I'm out there. The better diving that way is out at Salt Creek, a Clallam County park, with amazing salt water dives in the Strait of Juan de ***a. Do them, then rinse off on the way home in the gin clear bathtub of the lake. thanks for the beta! we didnt know about the no entries from the swimming area. at the end of the swimming area were the bottom slopes down to 40-50 feet is an amazing view -- those trees that have been there since the beginning of time are impressive.
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9th October 2007, 21:20	#7 (permalink)
camerone New Member Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Dolphin Other Rebreather/s: Dolphin Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 61	Re: Lake Cresent -- sunken ferry at east beach? Quote: (Originally Posted by zoo_diver) thanks for the beta! we didnt know about the no entries from the swimming area. at the end of the swimming area were the bottom slopes down to 40-50 feet is an amazing view -- those trees that have been there since the beginning of time are impressive. Yeah, it's been that way forever, and it's not a real big deal, as the entries are generally pretty good off that trail. I've heard that the ticket is fairly expensive for violating the rules and diving from the swimming area. It's also federal, as you're in the Olympic National Park. What you get kind of depends on the ranger/park police. Some have been really cool - even a few divers amongst them, and others are, well, you know... In any case, there are some other good sites along the lake -- couple of the turn-offs on 101 along the way are pretty decent entries, and La Poel has a sunken forest. The boulder field between Lake Crescent and Lake Sunderland is also pretty good, I've heard, but I've not dived it myself. Apparently, the two lakes were once a single larger lake until a large, prehistoric landslide. -C
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9th October 2007, 22:20	#8 (permalink)
zoo_diver Is it snack time yet? Current Rebreather/s: Evolution Megalodon Other Rebreather/s: Megalodon Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Suffolk, VA Posts: 239	Re: Lake Cresent -- sunken ferry at east beach? Quote: (Originally Posted by camerone) Yeah, it's been that way forever, and it's not a real big deal, as the entries are generally pretty good off that trail. I've heard that the ticket is fairly expensive for violating the rules and diving from the swimming area. It's also federal, as you're in the Olympic National Park. What you get kind of depends on the ranger/park police. Some have been really cool - even a few divers amongst them, and others are, well, you know... In any case, there are some other good sites along the lake -- couple of the turn-offs on 101 along the way are pretty decent entries, and La Poel has a sunken forest. The boulder field between Lake Crescent and Lake Sunderland is also pretty good, I've heard, but I've not dived it myself. Apparently, the two lakes were once a single larger lake until a large, prehistoric landslide. -C We did the 1st turn out off 101 -- the entry was shady and we had to use a guide rope, but the dive was really impressive. The bottom dropped really fast and before I knew it we were in 170 feet of water. I wasn't very impressed with the area near the Sherman car. Overall I think the lake has a lot to offer.
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10th October 2007, 22:36	#9 (permalink)
pattimegdiver #1 COPIS Mini Meg Girl Current Rebreather/s: Megalodon Sport Kiss Other Rebreather/s: Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Portland Oregon Posts: 305	Re: Lake Cresent -- sunken ferry at east beach? I have been diving Lake Crescent the last 2 months. Beautiful location and the vis is incredible. PM me, and I will set you up with one of my dive buddy Michael H and he has been getting the permits and dealing with the rangers. There is a dodge car about 200' deep and the warren car at 171'. The warren car is a memorial for the warren family that died in 1929, and the car was found in 2003, and unfortunately there have been divers that have been taking stuff off the car . Probably the reason for the permits. __________________ Patti Meg Diver Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk
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