L2 Paddle 8/7 - Timothy Lake to the Headwaters RT

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: Timothy Lake offers views of Mt. Hood, a large expanse of water, and smaller areas to explore, including its headwaters. We’ll launch from Pine Point Day Use Area boat launch and circumnavigate the lake, roughly 10 miles of paddling, including exploring the north arm of the lake. Arrive around 9;15 a.m. to be water-ready by 10:00. We'll break for lunch near the North Arm remote campground or one of the other beaches or coves. Afternoon wind and waves are expected.

Be sure to bring waterproof shoes or neoprene booties or something to keep your feet warm during at least one part of the trip. We will paddle to the headwaters of this reservoir/lake, and the water temperature may be around 40 degrees in the last 1/8-mile! We may need to walk our boats a bit there. Once we takeout, we can hike the short distance to Little Crater Lake, which may be our lunch break. Note: paddlers will be required to stay close together in the headwater area due to the cold water. Please bring snacks, water, and lunch. 

Plan to wear a layer of immersion protection—this could be neoprene shorts and top, a shorty Farmer Jane or John, or hydroskin. Drysuits are always acceptable; if the air temperatures are warm, plan to cool yourself off with a bow dip, a wet hat, or perhaps a practice wet-exit and reentry!

We’ll launch from the Pine Point Day Use Launch; there is a $5 parking fee. Parking is free with a Northwest Forest Annual Pass. Vault toilets and water are available, but there are no other services or cell reception nearby. 

PGE manages this site in partnership with the U.S. Forest Service. Motorized boats are allowed at a 10 mph speed limit. Timothy Lake is the largest body of water in the Mount Hood National Forest. 

Directions: From Sandy, OR - travel east on Highway 26 for approximately 40 miles to Skyline Road (Forest Road 42). Turn right on Skyline Road, travel south 9 miles. Turn right on Forest Service Road 57, west 2 miles, turn right at the Pine Point Campground entrance sign.

Meeting Time: 9:15:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:00:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Pine Point Day Use Area boat launch
Take out: Pine Point Day Use Area boat launch
Route Alternative for bad weather: TBD
Required equipment: 
Minimum Immersion protection: Shorty wetsuit
Primary Organizer: Chris Mayou
Assistant Organizer(s): Joe Howell
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: 
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: 75
Estimated Water Temperature: 40 in one area; 60-65 in the larger areas of the lake
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 5-6 hours
Tide times & heights: 
Current information: 
Hazards: 
Wind strength: Level 2: 7-12 knots (14 mph) – wind noticeably effects movement of paddle
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 2
Rating Comments: Level 2 based on distance and expected afternoon wind.
Location (Optional): Pine Point Boat Ramp Boating Site (recgovnpsdata)