Comments and Discussion
This trip is limited to members with a wet exit certification. To successfully register you will need to sign into your OOPS member account, and your account will need to be a member of the "Wet Exit Certified" group. Your acceptance is conditional on approval by the Organizer, who may contact you with questions about your skills and equipment. If the measured water temperature is different enough from that listed below to warrant a change in required immersion protection, the Organizer will contact all participants and the Trips Board member with the update at least a day before the trip. Narrative: Meet at 7:30 am at the Cracker Barrel Store just after you get off the Sauvie Island bridge on the Island. Please arrive early so we can depart on time, and to purchase either the required one time daily $10 parking pass, or the $30 annual pass for multiple visits during the year. Permits are also available on line from Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife (ODFW), the 7-Eleven (11310 NW St Helens Rd) on Hwy 30 (better restrooms!) as you approach Sauvie Island headed West, or wherever fishing licenses are sold. From the store we'll caravan about 25 minutes to the Gilbert River Boat Ramp, and put in on Little McNary Lake. The adventure begins with a paddle through lakes, channels, and a short (but usually muddy) portage into Sturgeon Lake. From Sturgeon Lake, we’ll explore over to the Gilbert River, (and possibly over to Steelman Lake to look for elusive River Otters) and spotting Bald Eagles, numerous Great Blue Herons, occasional White Egrets, and possibly White Pelicans. (no promises) We’ll finish up with a paddle down to Gilbert River boat Ramp and miraculously end up near where we started. We will paddle as a group, within speaking distance, so that everyone will have an opportunity to spot wildlife on the water. Bring a lunch, water, sun hat, and binoculars if you have them. Don’t forget the SUNSCREEN. Bring your tow rope and VHF radio if you have one. Kayak carts/ Wheels can be left in your vehicle, but may be handy at the takeout. Meeting Time: 7:30:00 AM Launch Time: 8:45:00 AM Type of activity: Paddle Trip Put in: Gilbert River Boat Ramp Take out: Same Route Alternative for bad weather: Just paddle on McNary Lake Required equipment: Minimum Immersion protection: PolyFleece/Shell Primary Organizer: Brad Sheehan Assistant Organizer(s): Dave Smith Has organizer paddled here before? Yes Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? Yes Organizer's first aid and CPR current? Yes First Aid /CPR Person: Dave Smith 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: 85 Estimated Water Temperature: 62 Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 6 hours Tide times & heights: The Gilbert River is tidally influenced, reference St. Helens on the Columbia River. 2019/05/09 Thurs 8:10 AM 3.7 H 5:00 PM -0.2 L Current information: Up to 2 Knots Hazards: Wind strength: Level 2: 7-12 knots (14 mph) – wind noticeably effects movement of paddle 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 2: Frequent landing opportunities including docks or moderate sloping banks, brush or overhanging trees 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: Overall rating: Level 2 Rating Comments: This is a solid Level 2 with portage, and 12 miles of paddling Location (Optional): https://www.google.com/maps/dir/45.522944,-122.806272/sauvie+island+grocery+store/@45.5784944,-122.933285,11z/data=!4m10!4m9!1m1!4e1!1m5!1m1!1s0x549570ca79c65fc5:0x8e38c947fec12d63!2m2!1d-122.8170379!2d45.630889!5i2