Bachelor Island Circumnavigation - L2 - T2558

When
July 01, 2025
8:00 AM
Location
Lake River Ridgefield Kayak Launch
Spaces left
3
Registered
3 registrants

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: Mart Hughes
Narrative: The Bachelor Island Circumnavigation will start from the Lake River Ridgefield Kayak Launch in Ridgefield, Washington. The paddle will proceed north to the junction of the Bachelor Slough, then follow the channel to the SSW to the Columbia River, then down river to the mouth of Lake River, then back up the Lake River to the launch location. Once in the Columbia the ebb tide should provide a boost to the paddle effort. The paddle will launch near the high tide time to take advantage of the Columbia current and catch the slack or low flow back to the put-in. The paddle distance is 9.5 miles. A food and water break may be taken on the Bachelor Island or Lake River shore.

Wing dams are present along the Bachelor Island sand beaches. These are expected to be exposed and avoided by navigating outward from the beach. The obstructions produce a noticeable current at the outer end and downstream a short distant.

Good landing sites are restricted to the SW side of Bachelor Island and at the mouth of the Lake River. Otherwise the banks are generally steep and muddy with dense grass or shrubs. A west wind and falling tide is a constant concern on the Columbia. This may be lessened with an early launch. Large sea-going vessels are present and produce varying amounts of bow waves. Fishing boat may be found anchored and small boat traffic is present. If high wind is found the Columbia River entrance the paddle will be rerouted to to Lake River then too the mouth at the north end of Bachelor Island. If conditions allow exploration of the Gee Creek mouth and Lewis River confluence can be undertaken.

The Columbia River west of Bachelor Island is a stunning big sky reach of the river. Eagles and other raptors are present and a Purple Martian colony is present in Lake River. The Ridgefield Refuge has opened a channel to a pond on Bachelor Island providing for the opportunity to explore this feature. However access requires a higher river level.

Meeting Time: 8:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 8:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Lake River Ridgefield Kayak Launch in Ridgefield, Washington (45.818824 -122.751134)
Take out: Lake River Ridgefield Kayak Launch in Ridgefield, Washington
Route Alternative for bad weather: Lake River to mouth with Columbia
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: Shorty Wetsuit
Primary Organizer: Mart Hughes
Co-Organizer(s): Fred Harsman
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? No
First Aid /CPR Person: Fred Harsman
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: 64 - 82 deg. F
Estimated Water Temperature: 64 - 66 deg. F
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 6 hours
Tide times & heights: 1 July high 9: Am @ 1.82 feet, low 5:15 Pm @ 0.01 feet
Current information: < 2.0 knots
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 2: Between 0.5 and 1 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: The sand bar at the north end of Bachelor Island requires a diversion outward toward the river center. This is being treated as an open crossing as navigation close to the shore is precluded by shallow water. This may raise the open water distance above 0.5 miles. Early paddle optimizes tide and lowers wind factor.
Location: Lake River Ridgefield Kayak Launch in Ridgefield, Washington (45.818824 -122.751134)
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: St. Helens, Oregon
Link to map of route (Optional)

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon