Fall Colors at Coldwater Lake - L2 - T2594

When
October 12, 2025
9:00 AM
Location
Coldwater Lake
Spaces left
4
Registered
5 registrants

Registration

Members with wet exit certification
Active club members with wet exit certification, including kayaking professional and lifetime.
TO and Safety
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Full Name:: David Nesson
Narrative:: Lets all pile in our cars and make a road trip to see the beautiful Fall Colors at Coldwater lake in the Mt. St. Helen's area.

For those of you that have not been there, this is the time. No Boat Traffic, Very few people and beautiful mountain landscapes. This Lake was made from the eruption in 1980. for some of us we remember collecting the ashes from our yards. The lake itself is about 5 miles across with a little current. It does have the possibilities for unpredicted afternoon winds though.

Water and Temperature is going to be a bit cool so please layer under you dry suit.

We will be taking a lunch break at the end of the lake. There is a nice Sand beach with logs to sit on.

There is a new $5.00 fee for Day Use area. requires a Northwest Forest Pass, America the Beautiful Pass, or a day-use fee. Payment is handled through automated Cashless machine at the site.
Meeting Time:: 9:00:00 AM
Launch Time:: 9:30:00 AM
Type of activity:: Paddle Trip
Put in:: Coldwater lake trailhead, Toutle, WA 98649
Take out:: Coldwater lake trailhead, Toutle, WA 98649
Route Alternative for bad weather:: Shorter Paddle
Required equipment::
Minimum Immersion protection:: Drysuit
Primary Organizer:: David Nesson
Co-Organizer(s):: Brenda C. Brewer
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::
Maximum number of paddlers:: 8
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy:: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature:: 46
Estimated Water Temperature:: last checked Sept 29th at 58deg
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch):: 4 hrs
Tide times & heights:: N/A
Current information::
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 1: Frequent easy landing opportunities including gently sloping, sand, gravel or grass
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 1: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment::
Overall rating:: Level 2
Rating Comments:: It is a Long lake with a fair amount of fetch It is generally a mellow paddle but unpredicted do generally pick-up in the afternoon
Location:: Coldwater Lake Boat Ramp, Toutle, Wa 98649, United States
Photos (Optional)::
COVID-19 Status of Trip:: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station:: N/A
Link to map of route (Optional): https://www.google.com/maps/place/Coldwater+Lake+Trailhead/@46.2910612,-122.2691824,779m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m6!3m5!1s0x5496a254f45ec8e9:0x40a949d2f901420!8m2!3d46.2921872!4d-122.2664202!16s%2Fg%2F11cmy53165?entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MTAwMS4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D
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Put in::

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon