Cedaroak to Elk Island a Paddle Through 20,000 Years of Natural History - L2 - T2565

When
July 17, 2025
9:00 AM
Location
Cedaroak Boat Ramp
Spaces left
4
Registered
6 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: From the launch at Cedaroak the paddle will follow the west shore of the Willamette until Spring Park is on the right. At that point we will cross the river and follow the shore of Spring Park and Elk Rock Island. The turnaround point is the north shore of Elk Rock Island. Breaks may be taken at George Rogers Park or Elk Rock Island. Restrooms are at Cedaroak and George Rogers. Adequate water, brunch, and lunch are needed.

The mornings on the Willamette are generally quiet, calm, and cool. Wildlife is most active at that time. The west bank shoreline is well vegetated and with interesting flood and geological histories.

Elk Rock Island is an unique natural resource site. It is recognized and Willamette River green space of state wide value. It is currently undergoing a conservation efforts to maintain the unique biological community. The west bank cliff Elk Rock is a nesting site of Peregrine Falcons.

Mart has a strong knowledge of this area as a conservation steward with the Milwaukie Parks Foundation. This work has provided him a natural history perspective of the evolution of the land-form and the operation of the vegetative communities on the island and the geological process in the paddle area.

Meeting Time: 9:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 9:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Cedaroak Boat Ramp 4600 Elmran Drive, West Linn (45.390675 -122.628966)
Take out: Cedaroak Boat Launch
Route Alternative for bad weather: none
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: None
Primary Organizer: Mart Hughes
Co-Organizer(s): Steve Blackwood
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: Steve Blackwood
Maximum number of paddlers: 10
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 80 - 90 deg F
Estimated Water Temperature: > 70 deg F
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 5-6 hours
Tide times & heights: 17 July high 2.17 feet @ 10:28 AM the low 0.23 feet @ 5:18 PM
Current information: < 0.5 knot
Hazards:
Wind strength: Level 1: 0-7 knots (8 mph)
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 1: None or mild (less than 1 knot)
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: Landing types and distance are L2 . Wind is expected to be L1 in the AM with possible increases in the PM. All other conditions are expected to be L1. A shorty top is recommended for a cool AM and Sun-burn protection for the PM.
Location: Cedaroak Boat Ramp 4600 Elmran Drive, West Linn (45.390675 -122.628966)
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: Portland
Link to map of route (Optional)

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon