Fall Colors at Coldwater Lake - L2 - T2680

When
October 03, 2026
9:00 AM
Location
Coldwater lake trailhead
Spaces left
4
Registered
8 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:: Jim Clute
Narrative:: Join Jim Clute (& David Nesson) for a road-trip paddle on Coldwater Lake near Mt. St. Helen's to see the Fall Colors!

We should have few visitors and little boat traffic to distract us from the fall colors on the lake's surrounding mountain sides.

The Mount St. Helen's 1980 eruption blocked Coldwater Creek, forming what's now Coldwater Lake: a 3+ miles long & 800' - 3200' wide lake with a mild current. It's lined by mountain slopes rising up to 2000' above the lake with higher peaks beyond!

The lake has the potential for unpredicted afternoon winds... so we'll aim for an early start!

At the time of posting... the weather forecast looks great, but the weather can be variable this time of year, so please bring clothing to accommodate possible surprises! Even with the "sunny day" forecast at the time of posting... both the water and air temps will still be cool at the lake's 2400' elevation. Please layer under your dry suit!

We'll take a lunch break at the far end of the lake amid its sand beach with logs to sit on.

There is a $5.00 fee for our Parking Area / Day Use Area, which can be satisfied with a Northwest Forest Pass, an America the Beautiful Pass, or by paying a day-use fee via an 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:: Jim Clute
Co-Organizer(s):: David Nesson
Has organizer paddled here before?: No
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:: 12
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy:: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature:: 45F - 60F
Estimated Water Temperature:: 55 - 60F
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch):: 4 hours
Tide times & heights:: N/A
Current information::
Hazards::
Wind strength:: Level 1: 0-7 knots (8 mph)
Waves, Swell, Breaking Waves: 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 1: None or mild (less than 1 knot)
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:: We may purposefully take a longer (~0.6 mile) crossing route for Jim's TO training needs
Location:: Coldwater lake trailhead, Toutle, WA 98649
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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Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon