Willamette Narrows—A Trip Back in Time (Level 2)

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.  

We’ll take a trip back in time, first downstream to the deserted, semi-abandoned industrial area above the dam. Then we’ll head back upstream to the Narrows, where ancient basalt has formed interesting islands to explore. You can envision how the Willamette looked 200 years ago, or maybe 2,000 years ago. 

We’ll paddle round-trip from West Linn’s Willamette Park, paddling a total of eight miles, first 4 miles to and from the dam, then 4 miles to and from the Narrows. The current should be mild in the back channels and carefully selected areas close to shore where we’ll be. This will be a relaxed pace paddle so that we can enjoy the scenery. 

Because of double out-and-back route, first north, then south, we’ll take our lunch break at Willamette Park, our launch site. We’ll launch from the small beach area where the Tualatin River enters the Willamette. There is a narrow steep path near the grassy parking area or a wider and longer, but easier, path to the west of that. 

Bathrooms are available; free parking (everywhere except the power boat and trailer parking area). SUPs who can keep up with kayaks and kayaks 12’ and longer are welcome. No inflatables, please. Paddlers should expect to stay with a pod.

Meeting Time: 9:30:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:00:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Willamette Park, 12th Street, West Linn, OR
Take out: Willamette Park, 12th Street, West Linn, OR
Route Alternative for bad weather: TBD
Required equipment: 
Minimum Immersion protection: None
Primary Organizer: Chris Mayou
Assistant Organizer(s): I welcome one.
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: 
Maximum number of paddlers: 6
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 75-80
Estimated Water Temperature: 60
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 4-5 hours
Tide times & heights: NA
Current information: 1.5 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 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 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing: Level 2: Less than 1 mile
Paddling Environment: 
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: 
Location (Optional): Willamette Park, 12th Street, West Linn, OR