Narrative: Starting at Pixie Park in Columbia City, we'll let the current assist us down river along the Oregon shore past Goat Island, then cross the shipping channel to Martin Island, where we'll stop for lunch. We'll continue along Martin Bluff down to the edge of the Kalama industrial area before crossing the shipping channel back to the Oregon shore and behind Sandy Island, past what remains of "The River Queen", past Goble, then continuing along the rocky shores of the Trojan power plant, and finish up at Prescott Beach. A shuttle is required.
Meeting Time: 8:30:00 AM
Launch Time: 9:45:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Pixie Park
Take out: Prescott Beach
Route Alternative for bad weather: Possibly a shorter trip ending at Goble
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: Full wet suit
Primary Organizer: Don Durheim
Assistant Organizer(s): Rich Becker
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? Yes
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? No
First Aid /CPR Person: Rich Becker
Maximum number of paddlers: 8
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 35º (early am) to 50º (pm)
Estimated Water Temperature: 38º
Estimated Water Time: 4.5 hrs including breaks
Tide times & heights: High 5:49 am at St Helens; Low 12:39 pm at Kalama
Current information: 1.5 mph, max ebb around 11:45 am
Hazards: Shipping traffic
Wind strength: Level 1: 0-7 knots (8 mph)
Swell/Surf size: Level 1: Under 1' waves, no breaking waves
Sea state: Level 1: Waves up to the deck seam; water glassy to rippled, no whitecaps
Landing types: Level 1: Frequent easy landing opportunities including gently sloping, sand, gravel or grass
Currents: Level 2: Mild currents (up to 2 knots): current increases / decreases group speed by half
Total distance: Level 3: 11 to 15 miles
Open crossing: Level 2: Less than 1 mile
Paddling Environment: Level 2: moderately exposed river or coast
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: (1) DISTANCE
The 14 mile total trip distance with ~1 mph assist from outgoing tide and high river flow is approximately 9-10 miles distance on flat water.
(2) ENVIRONMENT
Discussion will be conducted with all participants if the wind forecast (either up or down river) suggests any instability or change in direction. Wind will be closely monitored right up to launch time. This is intended to be a leisurely paddle and the trip will be cancelled if wind becomes a factor (Level 2).
Location (Optional):https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kalama,+WA+98625/@46.0025675,-122.8320389,11z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x54944166cc6ff7ed:0x9ebb197dcf92449d!8m2!3d46.0084472!4d-122.8445509
Photos (optional): yes