Full Name:: Brenda C Brewer
Narrative:: Estacada Winter Paddle
After days and weeks of rain and cold, it looks like Saturday will cloudy and cold - yay! Come join Brenda and Paige on this mellow L-2 paddle.
Estacada Lake is a beautiful body of water, part of the Clackamas River, and bounded by a dam at each end. We will launch from the boat ramp above the lower dam and paddle upstream, passing cool waterfalls. There is not much current where we start, but as we get closer to the upper dam, it does intensify. We will take our snack and bio break on the gravel bar near the upper dam. If the current is too sporty up there or if there’s not a good landing zone at the gravel bar we will just head on back.
This is generally a mellow level 2 paddle and only about 5-6 miles altogether, so if you are newer to paddling in the cold, this may be a good fit for you. Hazards include cold (low 40’s in the morning) and cold water (41 degrees) so please wear warm woolies under your dry suit and bring a warm hat and an extra set of dry clothes with you. Also bring your gloves and pogies if you use them, and consider bringing a hot drink or soup. Some folks like helmets to help keep their heads warm and dry. If you're comfortable with a tow belt, feel free to bring that as well. The forecast calls for only an 18% chance of rain, a high of 52, and winds about 7 mph. This being Oregon, the forecast is likely to change.
There is a vault toilet in the parking lot, and a kayak launch as well as the shore to launch from (we keep the boat ramp clear for power boats). There are not a whole lot of places to stop for bio breaks, but it's not a long paddle.
Estacada lake is within Milo McGiver State Park, and the park entrance fee is $10 for Oregon residents and $12 for non-residents. The boat ramp is about a 10- minute drive from the entrance to Milo McGyver Park, so please give yourself enough time to arrive on time without stressing. If you arrive at a boat ramp and see whitewater or intense current, that’s the lower boat ramp - keep going to the one just above the dam. Once we launch, we will go at a mellow pace, with time for pictures and conversation. We often stop for lunch at Carver Hangar, on the way back to the highway.
Things to remember please:
• If you are sick, please stay home and take good care of yourself.
• The water is quite cold at 41 degrees. Please wear your woolies under your dry suit and bring a full set of warm clothes in a dry bag, in case you get wet. This also means our group needs to stay close together - if someone goes over, they need to get out of the water asap.
• Some folks take longer than others to get ready - please be ready for the safety talk by 10 am and launch at 10:15 am. This may mean arriving between 9:15 – 9:30 – whatever you need.
• As always, we help each other with boats.
Meeting Time:: 9:30:00 AM
Launch Time:: 10:15:00 AM
Type of activity:: Paddle Trip
Put in:: Milo McGiver State Park, ESTACADA LAKE BOAT LAUNCH. 24101 S Entrance Rd, Estacada OR 97023
Take out:: Milo McGiver State Park, ESTACADA LAKE BOAT LAUNCH. 24101 S Entrance Rd, Estacada OR 97023
Route Alternative for bad weather:: Shorten the trip; reschedule
Required equipment::
Minimum Immersion protection:: Drysuit
Primary Organizer:: Brenda C Brewer
Co-Organizer(s):: Paige Light-Powell
Has organizer paddled here before?: Yes
Has organizer led an OOPS paddle here before?: Yes
Organizer's first aid and CPR current?: Yes
First Aid /CPR Person::
Maximum number of paddlers:: 10
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy:: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature:: About 40 degrees at the start, up to upper 40's by end of trip
Estimated Water Temperature:: 41 degrees
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch):: 3-4 hours
Tide times & heights:: N/A
Current information:: less than 1 mph at launch. Upper end may be 2 mph.
Hazards::
Wind strength:: Level 2: 7-12 knots (14 mph) – wind noticeably effects movement of paddle
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 1: Up to 6 miles
Open crossing:: Level 1: Less than 0.5 miles
Paddling Environment::
Overall rating:: Level 2
Rating Comments::
Location:: Milo McGiver State Park, ESTACADA LAKE BOAT LAUNCH. 24101 S Entrance Rd, Estacada OR 97023
Photos (Optional)::
COVID-19 Status of Trip:: Participants of this trip may, or may not, be vaccinated for Covid-19
Tide Station:: N/A
Link to map of route (Optional):
