Washougal to Reed Island RT, L2, 9-3-21

 This trip is limited to members with a wet exit certification (except for level 1 trips when the paddler is not using a spray skirt....if the paddler is wearing a spray skirt on a level 1 paddle, the Wet Exit Certification is REQUIRED).  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 if you intend to wear a spray skirt.  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.

Full Name: Chris Mayou
Email address: chrismayou@gmail.com
Phone: 5035102005
Activity Title: Washougal to Reed Island RT
Date of Activity: 9/3/2021
Narrative: This is an afternoon and early evening trip. Our first point of interest will be Captain William Clark Park at Cottonwood Beach, which commemorates the historical site where the Corps of Discovery camped for six days while on their journey through this area in 1806. We may take a stretch break there. Then we’ll continue upstream in the channel between Reed Island State Park and Steigerwald Lake National Wildlife Refuge. We’ll have an early dinner break around 4:30 p.m. on a sandy beach on Reed Island. Some folks might want to jump in the water for a short swim! It will be interesting to see what the water level is at the far end of Reed Island as we round the east end of the island and enter the main channel for our return trip. There may be some “walking” of our boats. Bring along a short tow, painter rope, or similar in case we do. We’ll plan to return by 7:00 or 7:30 p.m.

We’ll launch from Washougal Waterfront Park; be water-ready by 2 p.m. By unloading at the east end of the parking lot, it’s a short distance to the water along a gently sloping ramp, but there is a stretch of rocky area that needs to be crossed to reach the water. Wheels are helpful. Free parking, bathrooms, and picnic tables overlooking the Columbia River. Bring along a headlamp, flashlight, or other white light just in the unlikely event that we get delayed and need to paddle in twilight.

Washougal Waterfront Park is at the end of 2nd St. The Google Maps address specifying 1st St. is confusing. The park’s coordinates are 45.57787749683821, -122.37754515213229.

Meeting Time: 1:15:00 PM
Launch Time: 2:00:00 PM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Washougal Waterfront Park
Take out: same
Route Alternative for bad weather: TBD
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: None
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: 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: 65
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 5-6 hours
Tide times & heights: Tide projections for Washougal, WA:
2021/09/03 Fri 1:34 PM 0.28 L
2021/09/03 Fri 5:14 PM 0.80 H
2021/09/04 Sat 12:53 AM 0.42 L

Current information: <1 knot
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 1: None or mild (less than 1 knot)
Total distance: Level 2: 6 to 11 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: No open crossing
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: Rated Level 2 due to paddling on the Columbia River
Location (Optional): search for "Washougal Waterfront Park"
Photos (optiona