Grays Harbor Event: Chehalis River Surge Plain Natural Area Preserve - L2

When
May 25, 2025
9:45 AM
Location
Preachers Slough West/Chehalis Trailhead
Spaces left
6

Registration

Members with wet exit certification
Active club members with wet exit certification, including kayaking professional and lifetime.
TO and Safety
Password Reserved for TO use

Full Name: Lori Stole
Narrative: Join me to explore the Chehalis River Surge Plain Preserve, which contains the largest and best quality tidal surge plain wetland in the state. We’ll explore this network of sloughs in which fresh and salt water mingle. We are able to make a loop by paddling up the serpentine sloughs, then down the Chehalis River back to our launch.
Learn more about the Chehalis R Surge Plain here (https://www.dnr.wa.gov/ChehalisRiverSurgePlain).

We’ll meet at the Preacher Slough West/Chehalis trailhead parking area. There is a boat launch and a porta-potty here. We’ll paddle up the Blue Slough, then turn right into Preachers Slough. There is a trailhead/parking area/porta potty at the east end of Preachers Slough, where it joins the main Chehalis River. We’ll have lunch here, then head downstream on the Chehalis River. When we reach the Blue Slough we’ll turn into it and return to our launch site.

We’ll begin our shoretalk at 10:30 am and launch immediately after that. Please arrive with enough time to be at the water with your loaded boat and ready launch by 10:30am.

Total distance is 11.4 miles (9.9 nm)
A Discover Pass is required to park.

Meeting Time: 9:45:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Preachers Slough West/Chehalis Trailhead
Take out: Same as launch.
Route Alternative for bad weather: Shorten the loop
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Lori Stole
Co-Organizer(s): Jerry Stole
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: 12
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 70
Estimated Water Temperature: 50
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 4.5 hrs
Tide times & heights: -1.8' @6:34am, 9'@1:12pm, 2.4'@6:21pm
Current information: Some current in Chehalis River
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 3: 11 to 15 miles
Open crossing: Level 1: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment:
Overall rating: Level 2
Rating Comments: Distance is 11.4 miles, barely into L3 distance.
Location: Preachers Slough West Trailhead/Chehalis
Photos (Optional):
COVID-19 Status of Trip: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station: Cosmopolis
Link to map of route (Optional)

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon