Circumnavigate Oregon - L5 - T2531

To sign up for this trip get on the  "Request Approval Waitlist"  waitlist. When you are approved for the trip the TO will send you a password for a "Approved For Trip by TO" ticket.

Full Name: Mark Niemann-Ross
Narrative: Circumnavigate Oregon

We’ll meet at Madame Dorion Memorial park at 9:00. Madame Dorion Park is located just north of the Oregon border on Highway 12.

Safety talk and on the water by 9:30. We’ll launch into the Columbia and paddle with a downriver assist of about 2 knots. There are multiple opportunities to get out and stretch. Participants should have some familiarity with paddling in eddys and large amounts of flow, especially when approaching dams at John Day, Dalles, and Bonneville.

We have arranged for a brief stop to appreciate the wild life at Rooster Rock. Be sure to bring binoculars. After this excursion, we will continue on to Fort Stevens, cross the Columbia bar, then turn south along the coastline.

Depending on time and progress, we will stop at Otter Point State Recreation Site for lunch.

We’ll plan to turn inland at the Rogue River, paddling upstream with a tidal assist of .01 knots. Paddlers should be familiar with techniques useful for paddling upstream in class III - IV whitewater. We’ll continue inland with a portage in and out of Crater Lake, then to Upper Klamath Lake, following the Sprague River to Summer lake (short portage) then to lake Abert.

The portage from Lake Abert to Donner und Blitzen River will be challenging; Please consider bringing portage wheels. We expect most of the snow to have melted from the mountain passes, but plan to dress accordingly. You may also want to consider skis and climbing skins for both you and your kayak.

Donner und Blitzen river joins with Malheur Lake. Given the current political climate, we expect an (armed) greeting party. Please be prepared with a current waterway access permit, passport, and three forms of Republican identification.

From Malheur Lake we will portage (again) across to the Malheur River, moving upstream against the frisky current to the Snake River. We will then enjoy a leisurely paddle to the Northern Oregon border, then a brief portage back to Madam Dorion Memorial park. Again, please bring portage wheels and possibly snowshoes, depending on the weather.

Participants should be capable of sustaining a paddle speed of roughly 160 knots for nine hours, including portage speed. Your boat should be fourteen feet or longer. Please consider jet assist (available at Alder Creek and Next Adventure) if necessary.

We do not anticipate the need for protection from wildlife, but individuals should be prepared with some sort of firearm in case of encounters with grizzly bears, mountain goats, or confused motorists.

This trip will be waitlisted, Trip Organizer will contact you if you are accepted for the paddle.
Meeting Time: 9:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 9:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Madame Dorion Memorial park
Take out: Round trip
Route Alternative for bad weather: Idaho
Required equipment: Helmet, Towline
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Mark Niemann-Ross
Co-Organizer(s):
Has organizer paddled here before? No
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: 6
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: Average 45 degrees (including mountain passes)
Estimated Water Temperature: 40
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 9 hours
Tide times & heights: multiple
Current information: Between 2 and 5 knots
Hazards: Shipping traffic
Wind strength: Level 3: 12-16 knots (19 mph)
Swell/Surf size: Level 4: Waves up 6', Breaking Waves up to 4'
Sea state: Level 3: Waves to paddle tops; numerous whitecaps, waves becoming longer
Landing types: Level 1: Frequent easy landing opportunities including gently sloping, sand, gravel or grass
Currents: Level 4: Up to 6 knots
Total distance: Level 5: Greater than 22 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 5
Rating Comments:
Location: Oregon
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: multiple
Link to map of route (Optional) https://maps.app.goo.gl/HQKU8uNg3HN95KPc7