Comments and Discussion
This trip is limited to OOPS members who are WEC. To register, you'll need to log int your member account on the OOPS website.
Narrative: Beat the heat! Let’s launch early and take swim/lunch/rescue practice breaks at Cottonwood Beach as we make our way up the channel between Reed Island State Park and Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Due to the tide level, we may not be able to circumnavigate Reed Island; we might have to stay in the channel. Or take wheels with us! I’m rating this trip Level 2 as it’s 10 miles round-trip and we may do some paddling in the main channel of the Columbia.
We’ll plan to return by 1:30 p.m. so that we can load boats and hopefully escape most of the afternoon traffic by leaving around 2:00 p.m. (Sorry, but it's forecast to still be hot & getting hotter for the drive home.)
We’ll launch from the new Washougal Waterfront Park; be water-ready by 9 a.m. By unloading at the east end of the parking lot, it’s a short distance to the water along a gently sloping ramp. Free parking, bathrooms, and picnic tables overlooking the Columbia River. washougalwaterfront.com Meeting Time: 8:30:00 AM Launch Time: 9:00:00 AM Type of activity: Paddle Trip Put in: Washougal Waterfront Park Take out: Washougal Waterfront Park Route Alternative for bad weather: TBD Required equipment: Minimum Immersion protection: None Primary Organizer: Chris Mayou Assistant Organizer(s): Monte Johnston 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: 14 I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes Estimated Air Temperature: 80 Estimated Water Temperature: 70 Estimated Water Time: 4 hours Tide times & heights: High: 3:46 a.m. 2.8 ft.; Low: 1:09 p.m. 0.2 ft.; High: 4:14 p.m. 1.7 ft. Current information: 1-2 knots 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: No open crossing Paddling Environment: Overall rating: Level 2 Rating Comments: Every trip of any distance on the Columbia River is Level 2, given the potential for wind, long fetch & currents combining to create areas of active water conditions. Location (Optional): 56 S 1st St, Washougal, WA 98671 Photos (optional):