Long Deschutes River Paddle, 17.4 Miles, L2
Friday, 06-20-2025, Cascade Lakes 2025
This trip is for the Cascade Lakes Event 2025. Registration will be available to Cascade Lake Event registered members only, on the night before the trip. Signup will be at the event headquarters campsite.
This will be the long Deschutes River Paddle for Cascade Lakes 2025. This trip will be a total of 17.4 navigable river miles. This will be a one-way trip down river with a shuttle set up.
Expect at least a 1 mile/HR assist. It is not possible to know the exact river flow and or assist flow rate. This is dependent on snow melt, rainfall, & water released from the upstream reservoir. I paddled this trip in 2021. We had a 1 mile/HR assist flow. It was believed to be an abnormally slow river flow for that spring. With the flow assist expect to physically paddle 12 miles, or less if the river is running faster.
This will be a full day trip. However, very laid back, leisurely paddle rate, and very scenic. Starting out very scenic and secluded, we will then paddle a stretch that is developed with cottages, after that it will be very scenic again and secluded the rest of the way. The remaining Deschutes River is extremely scenic, with many switchbacks with varying views. One of the natural wonders of this area is the multiple lava flows that seem to have been stopped dead in their tracks at the river’s edge. There will be multiple opportunities for takeout, breaks, and lunch.
Although this trip is promoted as a leisurely paddle. It is a full day. Be prepared for a shuttle setup. A long day on the water. Bring all necessary gear for a full day. (see below) It could be very cool to very hot. Also be physically committed to a full day of paddling. There is no plan B or half way take out for this trip.
See details below for meetup location, put in location, take out location, and shuttle set up. HINT: Download google offline maps. On the way to Lapine State Campground and the paddle locations around the area. Save the Google map pin locations for the put in and take out points. There will be very limited to no cellular access in the area. Especially where all of our paddles are.
You may also need NW Parks Pass & or Oregon State Parks Pass for launch site parking. FYI, B-iMart carries both seasonal passes. Don't forget your waterways access permit too.
Meeting Time: 08:00 am, at campground.
Lapine State Campground.
15800 State Recreation Rd, La Pine, OR 97739
QFF7+R2 La Pine, Oregon (Ref only for mapping. Copy this code into google maps)
Meeting time at launch site: 08:15 am
16 Mile / 12 min drive from campground.
Unload all kayaks & equipment. Leave 1 person at the launch site. (30 min)
08:45 am: Leave for take out point with all vehicles.
25 Min / 15-mile drive to take out point. Benham Falls East Trailhead
Set up the shuttle. Take as few vehicles back to the launch site as possible. Attempt to leave vehicles at the take out point with extra capacity for a kayak, to better facilitated shuttle. (10 min)
09:20 am. Start the return trip back to put in.
09:45 am arrive at put in for 2nd time. Final preparation of kayaks and equipment.
10:15 am Safety brief. (total 45 min to get ready to launch)
Launch Time: 10:30 am
Type of activity: Paddle
Put in location:Big River Boating Site
RG93+38 Three Rivers, Oregon (copy this code into google maps)
Take out location:Benham Falls East Trailhead
NF-9702 & FS9702, boat launch is near the intersection, Bend, OR 97701
WHJP+GP Bend, Oregon (copy this code into google maps)
Route Alternative for bad weather: None. Paddlers must be committed and equipped for a full day.
Required equipment: A minimum of 2 liters of drinking water. Bring 3 liters, it may be a warm day. Sun shade hat, sunscreen, lunch & day snacks. Highly recommend to bring sunglasses. This is a level 2 trip, spray skirt is required. (OOPS Rules) Have with you minimum partial neoprene wetsuit. It may be cold and cold water, especially in the morning. Have a long sleeve rash-guard shirt. For both insulating layer and sun protection. Bottom line, be prepared for temperature extremes and sun exposure. There is a misconception that a person would overheat by wearing cold water immersion gear on a hot day. We all know we need to dress for the water temperature. Evaporation is an act of cooling. You can dip your sun hat in the water and put a nice cold wet hat on your head. You can also splash your gear with water or with your hat to get it wet. Wet neoprene, rash-guard, & compression clothing will act like a sponge. It can keep you protected from cold water but also keep you cool.
Primary Organizer: Peter Bezwerchyj
Co-Organizer(s): Joseph Skudlarek, Teresa George
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: TO
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 deg F am, up to 90 deg F in the afternoon.
Estimated Water Temperature: 55-60 deg F
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 5.5 hours. Intention is to be off the water at 4:00pm
Tide times & heights: N/A
Current information: There is still snow on the ground in some areas that we are padding, for Cascade Lakes 2025. The water will be a combination of snow melt and reservoir water. At this time morning temperatures are cold at 50 deg F and afternoon temperatures are potentially hot at 90 deg F, and very sunny. River flow will dependent on snow melt, rain, and flowrate from the upstream reservoir. Expect from 1 to 3 knots flow. Most likely slower.
Hazards: May encounter shallow areas.
Wind strength: N/A. Sheltered narrow river
Swell/Surf size: N/A
Sea state: N/A
Landing types: Varying shoreline, some developed, some low angle dirt & grass, some rocky / lava flow terrain. Many opportunities for shore landing.
Currents: Minimum 1 knot per hour assist. Possible 2 to 3 knots.
Total distance: 17.4 Miles, With a minimum of 1 knot / Hr current assist. Would make this a 12 mile physically paddled trip.
Open crossing:N/A
Paddling Environment: River
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: We cannot predict the water and air temperature. The water will be near snow melt temperature. But also shallow, so the water may warm up. Also expect the air temperature to have a broad range throughout the day. This is springtime high desert. Bring all the required gear. It can be taken off later or not used at all. Be prepared. However, required equipment to be worn will be ultimately up to the TO, the morning of the paddle. Please understand this is an extended long day trip. Paddlers must be prepared physically and properly equipped to the level for day. There is no planned shorter route. Paddlers must be committed to the full day.
Photos (Optional): See links to files for this trip.
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Members do not need to be, or show proof of Covid-19 vaccination.
Tide Station: N/A
Directions from Campground to put in site. Click on this link or copy this into Google maps:
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/LaPine+State+Park+Campground,+State+Recreation+Road,+La+Pine,+OR/Big+River+Boating+Site,+S+Century+Dr,+Bend,+OR+97707/@43.7925052,-121.5268616,11388m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m13!4m12!1m5!1m1!1s0x54b89e5b5a4f035f:0xd3be0180e01fd263!2m2!1d-121.5374942!2d43.7746122!1m5!1m1!1s0x54b898c63c55305b:0xc2f0ce2ff8a2b302!2m2!1d-121.4966775!2d43.8176854!5m1!1e3?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYwMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Direction from put in site to takeout site: Click on this link or copy this into Google maps
https://www.google.com/maps/dir/''/Benham+Falls+East+Trailhead,+NF-9702,+Bend,+OR+97701/@43.876872,-121.5010458,27047m/am=t/data=!3m1!1e3!4m14!4m13!1m5!1m1!1s0x54b898c63c55305b:0xc2f0ce2ff8a2b302!2m2!1d-121.4966775!2d43.8176854!1m5!1m1!1s0x54b8bc14e8492e0d:0x380a0aa800685be0!2m2!1d-121.4132203!2d43.9313476!3e0!5m1!1e3?authuser=0&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDYwMi4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
Paddle route pic:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1m065Io54x66IZKCxCHHTK82SRmZsuoZl/view?usp=drive_link
