This trip is limited to members with a wet exit certification (except for level 1 trips when the paddler is not using a spray skirt). To successfully register you will need to sign into your OOPS member account, and your account will need to be a member of the "Wet Exit Certified" group.
Narrative: It's mid-August and the water at Cottonwood Beach in Washougal is about as warm as it gets during the year! Swimming at Cottonwood Beach is one of my favorite local spots so why not combine a pleasant paddle with swimming!!
We will begin the trip with an optional downstream paddle to see the new kayak-specific ramp at Steamboat Landing. Unfortunately, road construction will close access to Steamboat Landing road/parking today, but let's check it out from the river!!
It is 2 miles round trip from Cottonwood Beach to Steamboat Landing and back. Paddling from Cottonwood Beach up the inside channel to the end of Reed Island and back is 5 miles.
Choice:
Short paddle: Cottonwood to Reed Island and back: 5 miles
Longer paddle: Cottonwood to Steamboat to Reed Island and back: 7 miles.
Paddlers can bask in the sun and swim at Cottonwood Beach while others paddle to Steamboat Landing and back (approximately 11:00-12:00).
At 12:00 we will have lunch and swim until 12:45. We'll all paddle to the end of Reed Island and take a short break/swim and return to Cottonwood Beach by 3:30.
We can stay at the beach and swim more or load boats and head home. I'll likely stay and swim after helping load boats.
Bring Wheels!!
Bring Wheels!!!
Large, long, free parking lot
Meet in front of the bathroom at 10:15 am to wheel kayaks to the beach.
To clarify, we are going to Captain William Clark Park where Cottonwood Beach is located.
Please agree to paddle as a pod within in earshot of organizers.
Meeting Time: 10:15:00 AM
Launch Time: 11:00:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Captain William Clark Park/Cottonwood Beach - Washougal, WA - West end entrance
Take out: same as put in
Route Alternative for bad weather: TBD
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: PolyFleece/Shell
Primary Organizer: Stacy Ozer
Assistant Organizer(s): Don Durheim
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? No
First Aid /CPR Person: Don Durheim - renewing 8/13/19
Maximum number of paddlers: 10
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 80-83
Estimated Water Temperature: 72
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 4.5
Tide times & heights: 2:56 AM high 1.52 ft.
10:16 AM low 0.44 ft.
1:54 PM high 0.90 ft.
9:33 PM low 0.23 ft.
Current information: Per NOAA: below Bonneville dam the current at Washougal is about a quarter knot.
Hazards:
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 1: None or mild (less than 1 knot)
Total distance: Level 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: No open crossing
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 1
Rating Comments: Participants can choose to paddle 5 miles or 7 miles (Level 1 or Level 2). See narrative above.
Conditions on the Columbia River can change suddenly and therefore, watching the weather forecast is important. A level 1 trip can quickly rise to level 2 if the wind kicks up and causes white caps and swells. The area we are paddling is fairly sheltered, but being mindful of changing conditions is important.
Location (Optional): Captain Clark/Cottonwood Park: Index St Washougal, WA 98671 https://www.google.com/maps/place/Index+St,+Washougal,+WA+98671/@45.5683791,-122.3415133,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x5495bd96978100d9:0x6a4208628690d5ee!8m2!3d45.5683791!4d-122.3393246
Photos (optional): yes
