Level 2 Paddle - Silver Lake Warmup Wednesday

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.  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: It’s time for my almost-annual winding through the “lily pad” (wocus) paths and small canals while exploring Silver Lake, near Castle Rock, WA. About the same size as Vancouver Lake, it boasts a magnificent view of Mt. St. Helens, and we can indulge in ice cream or another snack when we take our break at a lakeside fishing resort. In fact, please plan to buy something from the resort’s small shop, as that is the reason we can dock there for “free.” Takeouts are limited on Silver Lake.

We’ll be on the water about four hours, traveling approximately eight miles with a break at the halfway point. We can arrange interim stops if needed by altering our route. Intermediate SUPs and canoes with floatation are welcome. 

We’ll launch from Streeter’s Resort, 120 Lake Rd., Silver Lake, WA 98645. If you’ve done this trip with me before, note that this is not the same resort we’ve launched from previously—this is the one where we’ve taken our break. This year is sort of a reverse route. Please be water-ready by 10:30 a.m. There is a $5 parking fee, payable at the Streeter’s Resort store, which is good all day. 

My goal is to be off the water around 3:30 p.m. If you want to avoid the Portland afternoon/evening traffic, one way to use up some time is to make a stop at the nearby Mt. St. Helens Visitor Center which is next to the lake and has a free walking path. We could also make a stop at the McMenamin’s in Kalama, which is about a half-hour drive from Streeter’s. There is a nice walking trail along the Columbia there, too.

Streeter’s Resort
120 Lake Rd. Silver Lake, WA 98645

Meeting Time: 9:45:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Streeter’s Resort 120 Lake Rd. Silver Lake, WA 98645
Take out: Streeter’s Resort 120 Lake Rd. Silver Lake, WA 98645
Route Alternative for bad weather: TBD
Required equipment: 
Minimum Immersion protection: Shorty wetsuit
Primary Organizer: Chris Mayou
Assistant Organizer(s): Rich Becker, Peter Carew, Monte Johnson, Mel Wishan
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? Yes
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes
First Aid /CPR Person: 
Maximum number of paddlers: 18 including TOs
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 70
Estimated Water Temperature: 60
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 4-5 hours
Tide times & heights: 
Current information: 
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 1: None or mild (less than 1 knot)
Total distance: Level 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing: Level 2: Less than 1 mile
Paddling Environment: 
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: 
Location (Optional): 120 Lake Rd. Silver Lake, WA 98645