Lovely day on Lake Merwin for Jency's mentored paddle! - L2 - T2643

When
July 05, 2026
8:30 AM
Location
Cresap Bay Boat Launch
Spaces left
1
Registered
9 registrants

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Members with wet exit certification
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Timestamp: 6/29/2026 6:38:35
Full Name:: Jency Myers
Narrative:: Lake Merwin is about an hour and 15 minute drive from NE Portland, and lovely all year. We will put in and take out at the Cresap Bay Boat Launch (parking fee $4.00). There’s a nice bathroom there, with running water. The weather report calls for a pleasant, dry day with water temp in the low 60s. Conditions are borderline for immersion gear, so I prefer that you wear a dry suit (a wetsuit is satisfactory but not preferable).

Cresap Bay is a busy boat launch, with lots of boat traffic, esp. on a pretty day (and this is a holiday weekend). As we look at the ramp from the parking area, there’s a small area to the right of the boat ramp, and that’s where we will put in, being mindful and respectful of motorboats. Once we’re all in the water and out of the cordoned-off area, we will turn left, paddle under the 503 bridge, and up into a no-wake section of the lake. We will paddle up a couple of miles, then go right and follow Canyon Creek up toward the small falls. They may be a bit lively this time of year and I don’t recall a take-out place at the falls themselves, so if the current gets too sporty, we can turn back before the falls. On the way back, we will stop for a bite to eat on the bank, and after our snack we can do some rescue practice if we feel so inclined (such a good idea!).

Total distance is 6-7 miles. This will be a mellow level 2 paddle, with time to take pictures. If the afternoon winds kick in early, we will hug the shore.
The weather report calls for a pleasant, dry day, and the water temp looks to be in the low 60s. A wetsuit will be okay but a dry suit is a safer option (especially if you want to do rescues!).

There are some underwater rocks in places, and I don’t know how deep they will be this time of year. Due to the driving distance and the busy park, carpooling is recommended.

As a level 2 trip, spray skirts and Wet Exit Certification will be required.
I will email folks a day or so ahead of time with any pertinent updates. See you there!

Meeting Time:: 8:30:00 AM
Launch Time:: 9:15:00 AM
Type of activity:: Paddle Trip
Put in:: Cresap Bay Boat Launch, Cresap Bay Recreational Area, Yale, WA
Take out:: Cresap Bay Boat Launch, Cresap Bay Recreational Area, Yale, WA
Route Alternative for bad weather:: Shorten the trip, hug the shoreline, cancel
Required equipment::
Minimum Immersion protection:: Shorty Wet Suit
Primary Organizer:: Jency Myers
Co-Organizer(s):: Brenda Brewer
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:: Brenda Brewer
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:: 60-70
Estimated Water Temperature:: Low 60s
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch):: 4 hours
Tide times & heights:: N/A
Current information:: 1 knot or less
Hazards::
Wind strength:: Level 2: 7-12 knots (14 mph) – wind noticeably effects movement of paddle
Waves, Swell, Breaking Waves: Level 2: Waves up to 2', 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:: If the winds stay down, this will be close to a level 1 trip. They generally kick up in the afternoon, which would be more of a level 2 trip. There are a few places to stop, but not too many
Location:: Cresap Bay Boat Launch, Cresap Bay Recreational Area, Yale, WA
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):
:

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon