Level 2 Paddle - Willow Island Willamette Narrows Tour

This trip is limited to members with a wet exit certification.  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.  Your acceptance is conditional on approval by the Organizer, who may contact you with questions about your skills and equipment.  If the measured water temperature is different enough from that listed below to warrant a change in required immersion protection, the Organizer will contact all participants and the Trips Board member with the update at least a day before the trip.

Narrative: One of my favorite day trips on the Willamette River is to paddle from Willamette Park (West Linn) upriver through the Willamette Narrows to Willow Island. It's a very picturesque section of the Willamette River that passes through rocky islets covered with madrones and oaks. We'll paddle upriver through the Narrows and continue past to Willow Island where we’ll stop for lunch before heading back to our starting point with the help of the current. If time and water levels permit we’ll meander through the rocky islands at the Narrows.

On the upriver leg we’ll be going against a current that’ll vary between 1-2 knots. Participants should consider their comfort level in water with mild currents and eddies, and be able to maintain a 3 knot pace .

Pack a lunch and have a snack & water handy in case you get hungry or thirsty while on the water. A towline and VHF radio are both recommended but not required. 

There are restrooms at Willamette Park and parking is free. We’ll all launch from the boat ramp. Please don’t block access to the ramp with your vehicles while unloading & loading, and stage kayaks well off to the side so power boaters have room to maneuver their vehicles with trailers on the ramp. Plan on being suited up and having your boats ready 15 minutes prior to launch at 9:30 AM. Total distance will be about 7-8 NM. I plan to be back at Willamette Park no later than 3:30 PM.
Meeting Time: 9:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 9:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Willamette Park (West Linn)
Take out: Willamette Park (West Linn)
Route Alternative for bad weather: Short trip to Willamette Narrows or reschedule
Required equipment: 
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Kent Searight
Assistant Organizer(s): Dave Smith
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes
First Aid /CPR Person: Kent Searight
Maximum number of paddlers: 12
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: Low:44° High:57°
Estimated Water Temperature: 51°
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 5 hours
Tide times & heights: N/A
Current information: 1-2 knots
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 2: Frequent landing opportunities including docks or moderate sloping banks, brush or overhanging trees
Currents: Level 2: Mild currents (up to 2 knots): current increases / decreases group speed by half
Total distance: Level 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: No open crossing
Paddling Environment: 
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: 
Location (Optional): 1905 Volpp Street West Linn, OR 97068