Comments and Discussion
This trip is limited to OOPS members who are WEC. To register, you will need to log into your member account on the OOPS website.
Narrative: Starting at Pixie Park in Columbia City, we'll let the current assist us down river along the Oregon shore past Goat Island, then cross the shipping channel to Martin Island, where we'll stop for lunch. We'll continue along Martin Bluff down to the edge of the Kalama industrial area before crossing the shipping channel back to the Oregon shore and behind Sandy Island, past what remains of "The River Queen", past Goble, then continuing along the rocky shores of the Trojan power plant, and finish up at Prescott Beach. A shuttle is required. Meeting Time: 8:30:00 AM Launch Time: 9:45:00 AM Type of activity: Paddle Trip Put in: Pixie Park Take out: Prescott Beach Route Alternative for bad weather: Possibly a shorter trip ending at Goble Required equipment: Minimum Immersion protection: Full wet suit Primary Organizer: Don Durheim Assistant Organizer(s): Rich Becker Has organizer paddled here before? Yes Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? Yes Organizer's first aid and CPR current? No First Aid /CPR Person: Rich Becker Maximum number of paddlers: 14 I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes Estimated Air Temperature: 35º (early am) to 50º (pm) Estimated Water Temperature: 38º Estimated Water Time: 4.5 hrs including breaks Tide times & heights: High 5:49 am at St Helens; Low 12:39 pm at Kalama Current information: 1.5 mph, max ebb around 11:45 am Hazards: Shipping traffic 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 3: 11 to 15 miles Open crossing: Level 2: Less than 1 mile Paddling Environment: Level 2: moderately exposed river or coast Overall rating: Level 2 Rating Comments: (1) DISTANCE The 14 mile total trip distance with ~1 mph assist from outgoing tide and high river flow is approximately 9-10 miles distance on flat water. (2) ENVIRONMENT Discussion will be conducted with all participants if the wind forecast (either up or down river) suggests any instability or change in direction. Wind will be closely monitored right up to launch time. This is intended to be a leisurely paddle and the trip will be cancelled if wind becomes a factor (Level 2). Location (Optional):https://www.google.com/maps/place/Kalama,+WA+98625/@46.0025675,-122.8320389,11z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x54944166cc6ff7ed:0x9ebb197dcf92449d!8m2!3d46.0084472!4d-122.8445509 Photos (optional): yes