Willamette Bridge Binge
The Willamette Bridge Binge has something for any paddler who’s:
• Comfortable paddling at least 10 miles (8.7 nm) with a current assist bonus, with options for much more.
• Willing to accept the inconvenience (and benefits) of a one-way shuttle trip.
• Interested in an end-of-winter paddle, which means cold water and possible cold, wet and windy weather conditions, and a need to wear a drysuit.
• Enticed to see lots of Portland bridges, as many as 16 are possible, each a different type of engineering marvel.
• Wanting to see a large length of the Willamette River in one paddle trip.
Pick your plan for the day- choose just one trip, or add more to see more bridges:
Note: Actual Arrival Times will be calculated later when we have a good handle on shuttle requirements.
• START AT SPORTCRAFT LANDING at 8:30am, with options to finish at Willamette Park-Macadam (Route A), Cathedral Park (Routes A+B) or Fred’s Marina via Sauvie Island Bridge (Routes A+B+C). Average 3 knot flatwater pace.
OR
• START AT WILLAMETTE PARK-MACADAM at 12:15pm and take out at Cathedral Park (Route B) or Fred’s Marina via Sauvie Island Bridge (Route B+C). Average 3 knot flatwater pace.
OR
take out at Cathedral Park (Route B-Relaxed). Average 2.3 knot flatwater pace
Details on each Route Follows with all standard OOPS Weather and Risk Requirements. Each of the 4 different routes are described in detail below.
NOTICE From Trips Director: This trip is a big lift in organization from the lead TOs (Lori, Ken, Joseph, and Steve). Major Kudos. The actual posting and signup is a little complex. Sorry about that, this was the best I could come up with.
You need to get a separate ticket for each leg of the trip you intend to do. If you are like me, and only plan on doing one leg, then you probably want the "Route B Relaxed" ticket. I am sure there will be some confusion and some amount of "Oh, we can't accommodate that because of shuttle issues" so please stay a little flexible and we will work things out on the fly
GET A TICKET FOR EACH ROUTE YOU PLAN ON PADDLING !!
WET EXIT CERTIFICATION REQUIRED FOR ALL LEGS OF THIS TRIP
ROUTE A: Sportcraft Landing to Willamette Park-Macadam
Activity Title: Willamette Bridge Binge - Sportcraft Landing to Willamette Park-Macadam
Date of Activity: 3/16/2025
Narrative: This one-way shuttle trip is Route A, the Upper Half of the Willamette Bridge Binge, from Sportcraft Landing to Willamette Park – Macadam. Join us to see this whole stretch in one trip! It includes 4 bridges. After launching we'll first head upriver to go around the Oregon City Bridge. Then it's downstream past the I-205 bridge, Oak Grove-Lake Oswego RR bridge and the Sellwood Bridge, taking a break at George Rogers Park. We’ll average a 3 knot flatwater pace. An ebb tide will help us along! The distance covers 10.6 mi (9.2 nm).
Shuttle details will be worked out later. The shuttle will be somewhat long.
At the end of the trip, have lunch at Willamette Park.
If you’d like to continue this epic trip down the river through Portland then consider adding Route B, B relaxed or Routes B+C.
This is an early season trip. Drysuits are required, as are boats sprayskirts and boats of 14’ length or greater.
Meeting Time: 7:45:00 AM
Launch Time: 8:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Sportcraft Landing, 1701 Clackamette Dr., Oregon City, OR
Take out: Willamette Park, 6500 S. Macadam Ave., Portland, OR
Route Alternative for bad weather: TPD
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Lori Stole
Co-Organizer(s): Ken Sund
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: 50
Estimated Water Temperature: 50
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 3 hrs
Tide times & heights: 6:54am, 2.92'
3:13pm, 0.51'
7:28pm, 2.38'
Current information: 1 kt - We'll be sharing actual flow info near date of paddle
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 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: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments:
Location: Portland, OR
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: Morrison Bridge
Link to map of route (Optional)
Route B - Lower Half, Willamette Park-Macadam to Cathedral Park
Narrative: This one-way shuttle trip is Route B, the Lower Half of the Willamette Bridge Binge, from Willamette Park – Macadam to Cathedral Park. Join us to see this whole stretch in one trip! It includes 11 bridges. After launching we'll head downstream past the Ross Island, Tilikum Crossing, Markham, Hawthorne, Morrison, Burnside, Steel, Broadway, Fremont, Burlington Northern RR and St Johns Bridges, taking a break just downstream of the Steel Bridge. We’ll average a 3 knot flatwater pace. An ebb tide will help us along! The distance covers 10 mi (8.7 nm). Shuttle details will be worked out later.
Have lunch at Willamette Park before launching. Arrive early enough to be ready for launch at 12:15. (If you are arriving as part of Route A, you'll be all set!)
If you’d like to add one last bridge and expect to have a couple more miles in you, then consider adding Route C. See below.
This is an early season trip. Drysuits are required, as are boats sprayskirts and boats of 14’ length or greater.
Meeting Time: 11:30:00 AM
Launch Time: 12:15:00 PM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Willamette Park, 6500 S Macadam Ave., Portland OR
Take out: Cathedral Park boat ramp, 8940 N. Bradford St., Portland, OR
Route Alternative for bad weather: TBD
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Lori Stole
Co-Organizer(s): Ken Sund
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: 12
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 50
Estimated Water Temperature: 50
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 3 hrs
Tide times & heights: High 6:54 am 2.92’
Low 3:13 pm 0.52’
High 7:28 pm 2.4’
Current information: 1 kt, We'll update this info the week before the trip.
Hazards: Shipping traffic
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 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: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments:
Location: Portland, OR
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: Morrison St Bridge
Route C: - Sauvie Island Extension to Route B
Narrative: This one-way shuttle trip is Route C, the Sauvie Island extension to Route B and part of the Willamette Bridge Binge. It is an option for those who register for Route B and would like to add one more bridge and some extra miles. After a break at Cathedral Park we'll continue downstream to the Sauvie Island bridge, then turn around and paddle upstream to Fred's Marina. We’ll average a 3 knot flatwater pace. The distance covers 4.9 mi (4.2 nm).
Shuttle details will be worked out later.
This is an early season trip. Drysuits are required, as are boats sprayskirts and boats of 14’ length or greater.
Because of the added Shuttle Complexity represented by this last trip, the TO has requested this section be by permission only. Get on the waitlist and the TO will contact you with further information.
Meeting Time: 3:15:00 PM
Launch Time: 3:45:00 PM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Cathedral Park boat launch, 8940 N Bradford St., Portland, OR
Take out: Fred's Marina, 12800 NW Marina Way, Portland, OR
Route Alternative for bad weather: TBD
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Lori Stole
Co-Organizer(s): Ken Sund
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: 50
Estimated Water Temperature: 50
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 1.5 hrs
Tide times & heights: High 6:54 am 2.92’
Low 3:13 pm 0.52’
High 7:28 pm 2.4’
Current information: 1 kt, Current info will be updated the week before the trip.
Hazards: Shipping traffic
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 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 1: Up to 6 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments:
Location: Portland, OR
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: Morrison Bridge
Route B Relaxed - Lower Half at slower pace, Willamette Park - Macadam to Cathedral Park
Narrative: This one-way shuttle trip is the relaxed, slower-pace version of the basic Route B, and covers the lower half of the Willamette Bridge Binge. We’ll begin at Willamette Park-Macadam just after lunch, and end at Cathedral Park. Join us to see this stretch through downtown Portland and the interesting industrial area! It includes 11, or optionally 12 bridges. Those in the group who choose to make it 12 bridges (and those who just completed Route A but didn’t get enough) can add an extra 1.6 miles to visit the Sellwood Bridge at the start.
Paddlers doing the optional Sellwood Bridge loop will launch first and head upstream, round the bridge, then return to Willamette Park to collect the others. From there we’ll mosey on downstream under one bridge after the next: Ross Island, Tilikum Crossing, Markham, Hawthorne, Morrison, Burnside, Steel, Broadway , Fremont, Burlington Northern RR bridge and St Johns Bridge, enjoying several rest breaks along the way. We’ll take out at Cathedral Park, just past the St. Johns Bridge.
An ebb tide will help us along! The distance covers 10 mi (8.7 nm). The Sellwood Bridge addition makes it 11.6 miles (10.1nm).
Shuttle details will be worked out later.
This is an early season trip. Drysuits are required, as are sprayskirts and boats of HARDSHELL design & 12’ length or greater.
Meeting Time: 11:30:00 AM
Launch Time: 12:15:00 PM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Willamette Park, 6500 S Macadam, Portland, OR
Take out: Cathedral Park boat ramp, 8940 N Bradford St. Portland, OR
Route Alternative for bad weather: TBD
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Joseph Skudlarek
Co-Organizer(s): Jon Light Powell, Steve Blackwood
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: 50
Estimated Water Temperature: 50
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 5
Tide times & heights: 6:54am, 2.92'
3:13pm, 0.51'
7:28pm, 2.38'
Current information: 1 kt, actual current conditions will be determined the week prior to trip.
Hazards: Shipping traffic
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 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 3: 11 to 15 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: The core route distance is L2. The optional Sellwood Bridge loop adds 1.6 miles which is L3.
Location: Portland, OR
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: Morrison Bridge
Link to map of route (Optional)
