Please join Will G. and me for my next mentored paddle with a relaxed-pace
outing along the lovely birdhouse-lined Lake River, crossing the Columbia to
Warrior Rock Lighthouse where we'll stop for lunch, then head to the
northern tip of Sauvie Island, cross the Columbia to the mouth of the Lewis
River, and wend our way back along the Lake River and the birdhouses to our
point of origin. We expect some current assist at the beginning of the
paddle, since we launch near high tide and go down river.
This is such a lovely paddle with the mix of serene along the Lake River in
the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge and the exciting longer open
crossings of the working Columbia River. The humor in the dozens of
well-executed birdhouses is a lot of fun too. Ridgefield the town is
quaint, with the old time Liberty Theater and the rustic and refreshing
Sportsman's Public House watering hole right next door.
Note that the water is **COLD**, and we dress for water not air temperature
-- you really need a drysuit with good insulation underneath -- if you get
too warm, you can always bow-dip, soak your hat, or splash yourself.
Be sure to bring food (snacks and lunch), water, and sun protection.
Main hazards are recreational boats on the Lake River, and boating and
shipping traffic on the Columbia River. Wind and current are always latent
concerns, especially making predictions this far out.
There is plenty of free parking at the KAYAK LAUNCH with good restrooms just
upriver at the adjacent launch with ramp and [pay] lot for cars with boats
on trailers.
We follow the OOPS pod protocol, so please plan to stay with the group.
Only for hard-shell Kayaks 12 feet or longer. This is a Level 2 trip -- wet
exit certification is **required**, and you must wear a spray skirt.
The safety talk at 10:18 AM, and we launch at 10:31 AM.
Meeting Time: 9:42:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:31:00 AM
Put in: Lake River Ridgefield Kayak Launch
Take out: Lake River Ridgefield Kayak Launch
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Joseph P. SKUDLAREK
Co-Organizer(s): Will Greenough
Estimated Air Temperature: high about 52
Estimated Water Temperature: mid-40s
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 4.5 hours
Tide times & heights:
Date Day Time Predicted (ft) High/Low
2024/02/17 Sat 04:28 AM 0.82 L
2024/02/17 Sat 10:32 AM 3.20 H
2024/02/17 Sat 7:25 PM 0.95 L
Current information: expect up to 2 kt
Hazards: Shipping traffic
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: Between 0.5 and 1 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: solid Level 2: distance, crossings, landings, current
Location: Lake River Ridgefield Kayak Launch || Long/Lat: 45.818829, -122.751892
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: 9439201 St Helens, OR
Link to map of route (Optional)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kpz7VCtqb7XqyyeVOLUAuU2dTtTSETTa/view?usp=sharing
