Level 2 Paddle - Cedaroak Boat Ramp to Willamette Falls, R.T.

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.

We'll be checking the forecast on Tuesday.  If it's rain all afternoon, we'll likely skip this trip.  Please go ahead and sign up if you want to be part of that conversation.

Narrative: We’ll launch at noon and paddle round-trip to Willamette Falls from Cedaroak Boat Ramp. We’ll tuck behind Goat Island going upstream, taking a break there for a late lunch. We may have a short portage at the south end of Goat Island. 
Consider that fun! Sea lions are sometimes seen near the falls. The tide will be in our favor, with high tide around 4 p.m. We’ll get a little push going up to the falls. The flow should be about 38,000 cfs, which is do-able. There is generally a huge eddyline that’s fun to play in, near, but away from the base of the falls. Also, there is often some “wave action” on the east side below the falls. There are waves because there are rocks. You MUST wear a helmet if you plan to do any paddling in that area. That area will NOT be part of this official trip. Anyone paddling that line of waves will be temporarily NOT part of the trip. We’ll be back at the boat ramp around 4:30-5:00 p.m., paddling 6-8 miles R.T. depending on our exact route. 

We will observe the Four Ps: Please Plan to be Pod Participant! If you are a lone wolf, this is not the trip for you. This level two trip is suitable for boats 12 ft. and longer; no inflatables, please. Intermediate-advanced SUP paddlers who can keep up with kayaks welcome.

Free parking and bathrooms available. The parking is limited. You can drop off your boat and park in the nearby neighborhood if there are no more parking spaces.

Meeting Time: 11:15:00 AM
Launch Time: 12:00:00 PM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Cedaroak boat ramp. 4600 Elmran Drive West Linn, OR 97068
Take out: cedaroak boat ramp
Route Alternative for bad weather: None.
Required equipment: 
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Chris Mayou
Assistant Organizer(s): 
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: 7
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 50
Estimated Water Temperature: 46
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 4-5 hours
Tide times & heights: at Morrison St. Bridge 2018/03/14 Wed 10:36 AM 0.68 L 2018/03/14 Wed 3:47 PM 2.79 H

Current information: 1-2 knots (we will use this to our advantage on the return trip)
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 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: No open crossing
Paddling Environment: 
Overall rating: Level 2
Location (Optional): 4600 Elmran Drive West Linn, OR 97068