Grays Harbor Event - Elk river to Johns River - L2

When
May 25, 2025
9:15 AM
Location
Bradys Oysters Laidlow
Spaces left
10

Registration

Members with wet exit certification
Active club members with wet exit certification, including kayaking professional and lifetime.
TO and Safety
Password Reserved for TO use

Full Name: Kent Slawson
Narrative: Note: This paddle is proposed for Sunday 5/25, but can be pushed back to Monday with launch time adjustment depending on weather, interest, and discretion of trip czar.

This is a tour of the South Bay launching from the Laidlow where the Elk River empties into Grays Harbor and taking out at the Johns River Boat Launch to the east. This paddle will require a shuttle of vehicles, about 25 min round trip. We will work out logistics for the shuttle the prior evening.

My plan is to launch on a flood tide and follow the Elk River boat channel about 2.5 miles north into the bay along the interior shoreline of the Westport peninsula. At Channel buoy #4 we will head northeast to Whitcomb Flats, a small sandy Island preserve that is protected as a nesting habitat for seabirds. We will plan to land and take a short break here. From this island we will cross back to the southern bay shoreline at Bottle Beach State Park. This should be a reliable spot to get out for biobreak, food, and stretch. Our final leg will have us continuing east, and rounding north of Traitors Islet and another unnamed island to the channel that will lead us up to the Johns River Boat Launch, our take out. This will be about a 10 mile trip. I am planning on about 4.5 hours on the water. Large areas of the southern bay are exposed mud flats at low tide so we will keep on a tight schedule. We will be making at least 2 open water crossing of more than a mile so wind and fetch can potentially make for level 3 paddling conditions.
Meeting Time: 9:15:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Bradys Oysters Laidlow,https://maps.app.goo.gl/vKLa5P9xm9XtnUR16
Take out: Johns River Boat Launch,Game Farm Rd, Aberdeen, WA 98520
Route Alternative for bad weather: TBD
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Kent Slawson
Co-Organizer(s): TBD
Has organizer paddled here before? No
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? No
First Aid /CPR Person: TBD
Maximum number of paddlers: 2 TO + 8 non TO
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 60-70F
Estimated Water Temperature: 50F
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 4.5hr
Tide times & heights: L 06:04 -1.67
H 12:51 7.77
L. 17:51 2.14
Current information: <2kt
Hazards:
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 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 3: 1 to 2 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: I am rating this paddle a level 2. Crossings are level 3. Wind and sea state could make this a level 3 trip.
Location: Laidlow.
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: Markham
Link to map of route (Optional)

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon