Cascade Lake Event: Paulina Lake Exploration, L2

This trip is for the Cascade Lakes Event. Registration will be available to Cascade Lake Event registered members only on the night before the trip. Signup will be at the event headquarters campsite.

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.

Narrative: There is a fee for accessing this site. Please see https://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recreation/recarea/?recid=38446 for details.

Per https://wwwfs.usda.gov/recarea/deschutes/recreation/recarea/?recid=71997&actid=42, Paulina Lake is located within the caldera of Newberry Volcano, about 25 miles south of Bend, Oregon. The Newberry Caldera encircles the basins of Paulina and East lakes and it is nearly 5 miles (8 km) in diameter. This collapsed caldera is the result of more than 500,000 years of volcanic activity. Neither lake receives water from an inlet stream. Both lakes rely on rain, snowmelt, and hot springs for water. Although these lakes are twins and share much in common, they are not at all identical.

Paulina Lake, the larger twin, is the deepest at 250 feet (76 m). Paulina Creek drains this lake and has chiseled a narrow gorge through the caldera's west wall creating a remarkable twin waterfall. Thermal vents and hot springs along the lake's northeast edge help create a highly productive ecosystem. The lake fed by snowmelt, hot springs, and groundwater flows from East Lake. The outlet stream from the lake is Paulina Creek that flows westward into the Little Deschutes River. The lake covers an area of 1531 acres. The average depth of the lake is 163 feet with a maximum depth of 250 feet.

The water will be cold.

Meeting Time: 10:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Paulina Lake Boat Launch (note docks are not in place yet for the season)
Take out: Same as put in.
Route Alternative for bad weather: None
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: Farmer John
Primary Organizer: Dennis Pennell
Co-Organizer(s):
Has organizer paddled here before? No
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: 5
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 65
Estimated Water Temperature: 45
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 4 hours

Tide Station: n/a
Tide times & heights: n/a
Current information: n/a
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 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:
Location (Optional): Latitude : 43.70855 Longitude : -121.24520
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: All participants of this trip must be vaccinated for Covid-19