No Snow-Kalama to Cottonwood Island-L2 - T2521

Full Name: Kerry Smith
Date of Activity: 2/22/2025
Narrative: From I-5 north take exit 27 to Dupont Rd. Turn left at Dupont Rd and follow onto N. Hendrickson Dr. Turn left down to the beach just past the McMenamin’s Ahles Point Cabin Pub.

We are assuming that on Next Saturday the snow and ice are in the past and will try again to make this trip on the Columbia River. We will be taking advantage of the outgoing tidal current to Cottonwood Island. From Ahles Point beach we will paddle downstream along the Washington Shore of the Columbia River past the town of Kalama, the industrial area and the Sportsman’s Club Road boat launch and then to Cottonwood Island. The planned lunch break is on one of the sandy beaches on Cottonwood Island. After the break, we will cross the Columbia River to Prescott Beach County Park on the Oregon shore and follow the shoreline upstream past Coffin Rock and Sand Island before recrossing the Columbia back to the beach at Ahles Point.

Meeting Time: 9:30:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:00:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Ahles Point Beach
Take out: Ahles Point Beach
Route Alternative for bad weather: None
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Kerry Smith
Co-Organizer(s): Greg Lamberg
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: 49
Estimated Water Temperature: 40
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 4-1/2 hr
Tide times & heights: Longview tides: high tide 9:50am 3.6ft , low tide 7:27om 0.2ft

Current information: Longview currents: Slack 10:14AM, Max Ebb 5:02PM -0.98kt
Hazards: Shipping traffic
Wind strength: Level 2: 7-12 knots (14 mph) – wind noticeably effects movement of paddle
Swell/Surf size: Level 2: Waves up to 2', no breaking waves
Sea state: Level 2: Waves up to armpit; light to moderate chop, scattered 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: Between 0.5 and 1 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: Approximately 11 miles round trip.

Potential ship and barge traffic.
Two river crossings.
There are many possible take out areas along the route.

Location: Location:https://maps.app.goo.gl/8gtQC3wLYXwgmRp49
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: Longview
Link to map of route (Optional)