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.
Cancellations
If you register for this event and find that you are unable to attend please cancel on the website. Members on the waitlist cannot be added to the roster or notified they are now eligible to attend unless your registration is removed from the trip. To cancel, go to the event registration page on the website and click on "Already Registered". A page will open that will allow you to cancel. It would also be helpful if you notified the primary organizer of your cancellation via text, phone or email.
To e-mail the organizer directly, once you have the name of the organizer, log into your OOPS account, select "Member Directory" under "Membership," search for the name of the organizer, click on their name, and press the "Send Message" button.
OOPS members who sign-up for a trip that is full will typically be automatically entered onto a waitlist. Unfortunately, our software doesn’t allow members to cancel off the waitlist. If you are on the waitlist for a trip and decide you don’t want to be considered for the roster please cancel by emailing the Trips Director at OOPS Trips (trips@oopskayak.org). This will ensure that others who joined the waitlist after you are given more notice should space on the paddle become available.
Narrative: Please join me for my 1st mentored paddle with the marvelous Ms. Chris Mayou as we cruise one of my very favorite kayaking locations -- the beautiful Willamette Narrows.
Technically, this is a Level 2 trip, mostly due to the risk of currents -- but it should be an easy Level 2. And the rewards are breath-taking!
This short section (River Mile 28.5 to 32.5) is an absolutely beautiful stretch of Willamette River, part of the Newberg Pool. The Newberg Pool is a very popular area on the Willamette River (River Mile 26.6 to 55) that is deep and calm. No need to worry about tides, we're above the dam. Also, we're waiting for 2+ days after all that rain which should let the river calm down -- if the stage/current is too high, we'll shorten the trip and stay away from constricted openings to keep it safe for less skilled paddlers.
The Narrows should be a bit more active on this trip after a solid week of rain -- the river stage height is predicted to be 56.6, which is plenty high for getting through the south end, and also indicates some dynamic water going through the Narrows -- we'll consider some gentle play, all optional, and staying at Level 2, no helmets required.
We'll launch and return from Willamette Park in West Linn (not Portland), from the boat ramps -- not the usual shore launch a bit upstream (see detailed location below). We'll head up river and take the inside channel behind Little Rock Island, then crossover and greet the great Willamette Narrows, poking along the western shoreline of Rock Island, and gauge the water dynamics ... we'll consider venturing into the eastern side on our way back. It's also a good place for a quick break if needed. Then we'll cross and continue upriver to the channel behind Willow Island. If the flow is not too high, we'll pop out the southern end. If the flow is too high, we'll stop and lunch on the west bank of Willow Island.
If we can get through the Willow Island channel, we'll land and have lunch in view of the unfinished riverfront mansion started by Mark Wattles, founder of Hollywood Video, offered for sale in 2021 unfinished for $4 million (down from $38 million)! That 49,240-square-foot shell is quite a space, quite a place -- three stories tall, and covering 3 football fields.
But the real joy of the journey is the Narrows itself, with its basalt rock islands rising from the river, the play of the water in those constricted spaces, and the adjacent close-to-nature river-front, rustic and high-end, properties along the route. It's also good fun to poke into the mouth of the Tualatin River at our launch point (another time).
On the way back, we'll investigate entering the channels on either side of Rock Island, and continue downriver, perhaps passing passages and play spots on our left and then popping past the north end of the island. Who knows, we might even sit in an eddy or two -- a trick-and-treat I learned kayaking from a fellow paddler while kayaking with Mel Wisham; and one I recently enjoyed on Fanno Creek of all places! We'll continue along the eastern shore, and crossback close to our put-in for our take-out.
I also get a kick out of seeing the high voltage power lines with their big orange alert-aircraft-not-to-fly-thru-the-power-lines balloons which cross the river high overhead, the rich wildlife, and the occasional train that chugs along the eastern bank of the Willamette.
This will be a relaxed pace paddle, so we can enjoy the scenery, and not have to battle current. Our relaxed pace coupled with potential current pencils out to about 5 hours on the water total -- I suspect we'll actually need less time. It's a Sunday in early Autumn, so I don't expect too many powerboats, making the trip even more serene.
We follow the OOPS pod protocol, please plan to stay with the group.
Only for hard shell kayaks 12 feet or longer.
It's a Level 2 trip -- you must be wet exit certified, and you must wear your spray skirt.
Meeting Time: 9:15:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:00:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Willamette Park, WEST LINN
Take out: Willamette Park, WEST LINN
Route Alternative for bad weather: Willamette Park, WEST LINN
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: Farmer John
Primary Organizer: Joseph P. SKUDLAREK
Co-Organizer(s): Chris Mayou
Has organizer paddled here before? Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before? No
Organizer's first aid and CPR current? No
First Aid /CPR Person: Chris Mayou
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: 52-62
Estimated Water Temperature: 62
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 5 hours
Tide Station: n/a
Tide times & heights: n/a
Current information: 1-2 kt (historic average is less)
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 1: No open crossing
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: expect current < 2 kt -- may be higher in Narrows
Location: 45.3384, -122.6497
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Link to map of route (Optional)
