Aldrich Point to Astoria One-Way with Shuttle - L3 - T2609

To sign up for this trip get on the  "Request Approval Waitlist"  waitlist. When you are approved for the trip the TO will send you a password for a "Approved For Trip by TO" ticket.

Full Name:: Dennis Pennell
Email address:: bluespaddler@gmail.com
Phone:: 3609537061
Activity Title:: Aldrich Point to Astoria One-Way with Shuttle
Date of Activity:: 2/11/2026
Narrative:: This is a follow up trip to Will's Woody, Grassy, Welch & Tenasillahe Islands - L3 - T2608 trip on February 10, 2026. One purpose of this trip is to provide for two back-to-back days of paddling without necessarily having to drive to the area twice. This trip starts at the same place - Aldrich Point, and instead of going around the islands to the north and east, we will weave through the islands out to the main channel of the Columbia River, and then generally head downriver, near the islands on the Oregon side of the Columbia, and finish at the East Mooring Basin Boat Ramp in Astoria. It is about 14 or 15 nm distance, with a slight current assist when in the main channel of the river. Note there might be weak opposing eddy currents when and if we get close to the islands.
We might get lucky and have a tailwind from the east, as sometimes happens in the winter.

A shuttle is required for this trip.

Trip Organizer permission is required for this trip.

Participants must have sea kayaks at least 14 feet long, outfitted with bow and stern toggles, perimeter lines, bulkheads, and bow/stern flotation, usually in the form of dry hatches.

Drysuits required.
Tow lines strongly recommended.
Contact (short tow) tows strongly recommended.
VHF radios strongly recommended.
Hot food and drink recommended.
Extra clothes recommended.

Specific logistics will be provided to participants several days prior.

Those of us that are doing both Will's trip, and this trip may choose to spend the evening and night of Feb 10th in the Astoria area at lodging of your choice.
Meeting Time:: 9:00:00 AM
Launch Time:: 10:30:00 AM
Type of activity:: Paddle Trip
Put in:: Aldrich Point, 46.23511417726744, -123.51860618605902
Take out:: Astoria, East Mooring Basin Boat Ramp, 46.194666724101495, -123.80232324156947
Route Alternative for bad weather:: Stay inside the islands and paddle the sloughs.
Required equipment:: Towline
Minimum Immersion protection:: Drysuit
Primary Organizer:: Dennis Pennell
Co-Organizer(s):: Ken Sund
Has organizer paddled here before?: Yes
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:: 8 + two TOs
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy:: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature:: 45
Estimated Water Temperature:: 45
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch):: 5.5 hours
Tide times & heights:: 2026/02/11 Wed 01:33 AM 4.39 L
2026/02/11 Wed 07:39 AM 8.08 H
2026/02/11 Wed 3:35 PM 1.44 L
2026/02/11 Wed 10:15 PM 6.26 H
Current information:: Tongue Point
Date Time (LST_LDT) Speed (knots)
2026-02-11 12:08 AM -0.80
2026-02-11 04:05 AM 0.00
2026-02-11 05:21 AM 0.36
2026-02-11 08:12 AM 0.00
2026-02-11 12:45 PM -2.17
2026-02-11 06:31 PM 0.00
2026-02-11 08:38 PM 0.43
2026-02-11 10:10 PM 0.00
Hazards:: Shipping traffic
Wind strength:: Level 3: 12-16 knots (19 mph)
Swell/Surf size:: Level 2: Waves up to 2', no breaking waves
Sea state:: Level 2: Waves up to armpit; light to moderate chop, scattered whitecaps
Landing types:: Level 3: Bad footing, rocky shores, or surf up to 1.5'
Currents:: Level 2: Mild currents (up to 2 knots): current increases / decreases group speed by half
Total distance:: Level 4: 15 to 22 Miles
Open crossing:: Level 2: Between 0.5 and 1 miles
Paddling Environment::
Overall rating:: Level 3
Rating Comments:: This is intended to be a Level 3 trip based on distance, expected conditions, and being on the Columbia River in winter. If the conditions are expected to exceed Level 3, we will either alter the route by staying close to the Oregon shore, or cancel.
Location:: https://maps.app.goo.gl/GtThG3kdWGeniHKaA
Photos (Optional)::
COVID-19 Status of Trip:: All participants of this trip must be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station:: Tongue Point
Link to map of route (Optional): https://www.deepzoom.com/trip/jnk3b7q7
:
Put in::
:
undefined: