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Date: Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Distance: 11.44 miles

Time: 3hrs 15mins

Who: Jeffrey Briley

Board: BIC Ace-Tec Wing

Paddle: Werner Spanker (2-piece adjustable)

So to get the season kicked off right, and to make use of a window of good weather, I decided to take on the island that Alder Creek has called home for the past 20+ years.  Hayden Island lies in the middle of the Columbia River bordering Portland, Oregon and Vancouver, Washington.  Spring tends to be a bit more challenging to make the almost 12 mile paddle due to the excess snow melt flowing into the river and additional currents it creates.

Leaving from the back dock of Alder Creek’s Jantzen Beach shop I paddled upstream to the east end of the island past the waking floating homes and moored vessels. Once I rounded the bend, I took relief in going with the flow of the mighty river and made better time on this more exposed ~6 mile section.  This south facing side of Hayden Island opens you up to the main shipping channel of the Columbia where barges, boaters, and any number of avian wildlife roam as they have for many year.

I continued to crank along, breaking every 30-40 minutes or so for water. The wild thing about Hayden Island is the contrast of activity you get between the east end and the more pristine west end. At my first rest stop, I decided to let the river carry me below to I-5 “Columbia Crossing” bridge. I tend to enjoy the more natural environs but going with the flow on a SUP below 6 lanes of highway is quite the experience.  Paddling on with the gentle current you come to the train bridge that connects North Portland with the industrial section of Vancouver, WA.

On to the best part of the paddle, the 800+ acres of wild land we call West Hayden Island.  You quickly arrive here once you pass the train bridge and just as quickly the sounds of nature take over again. With a smooth cadence, I drifted into a world, as I said before, of great contrast to that of our east end shop.  One that we should all hope stays this natural for years to come.

After about 7 miles of paddling, most of which was with the river, I prepare for the next ~6 miles of upstream SUPin’.  I did, however, have the perfect board for the job. The BIC Ace-Tec Wing is designed with a displacement touring bottom that did a good job with both tracking and speed as I took on the 2-3 knot current.  I spooked many birds in this quiet section of river as I paddled along and was happy that this chunk of island had not befallen the industrial fate it’s cross river bank had at the port.

Then it was crunch time. As the river bent back more toward true east the current picked up again…right about when the mobile homes, trains, highways and floating homes revived themselves upstream. Oh how I missed West Hayden Island about then.

After 2.5 hours of fairly easy paddling, it was time to get back to business and crank away.  I knew I had about 1.5 miles to go yet and the wind kicked up to add a little fun, so I tucked my head and finished up my trek aiming for the path of least resistance in amongst the floating homes and docks.  I arrived at the Alder Creek JB dock spent but smiling in the beautiful sunshine after a nice paddle.

Thanks for Reading

-Jeffrey Briley

By Neil Schulman  www.neilschulman.com

Paddle on the Columbia

Sea Kayak Day Trips Near Portland, Oregon

1. Smith and Bybee Lakes, Portland
Why go? The nation’s largest urban freshwater wetland that doesn’t feel like it’s in a city. Lots of wildlife. Great birding, especially in winter and spring, and a lot of exploration of twisted jungly channels that change with the water level. Likely Conditions: Protected water. In winter, Smith lake can get a little windy. Notes: Sunrise and sunset paddles are great for wildlife–but be sure not to get locked in after legal sunset. And since there’s so much vegetation, remember how to get back to the put-in. Put-in/Take Out: Smith and Bybee Lakes Natural Area, N. Marine Drive. The put-in is 1/4 mile past the restrooms.

2. Miller Island, Columbia River
Why go? To soak up desert sun, paddle around a desert island, and maybe stop for some hiking to check out wildflowers, cliffs, or pictographs. And if it’s windy, to surf some wind waves. Likely Conditions: Can be calm, extremely windy, or anywhere in between. Notes: Miller Island is now closed to camping to protect Native American sites. There’s camping at both Deschutes River and Maryhill State Parks Put-in/Take Out: Deschutes River State Park. If it’s windy, take out at Maryhill State Park. Distance: 10 statute miles Chart: Columbia River Cruising Atlas, C25-26 3.Dalton Point to Chinook Landing Why go? To paddle under the cliff and waterfalls of Cape Horn, and ride the Columbia’s current and east wind. Likely Conditions: Depends on wind and current: can be flat or fairly rough. A strong east wind, most common in winter will create waves in the western Gorge. Keep an eye out for barge traffic. Notes: Best in the winter, when there’s lots of water in the waterfalls, strong westbound current, a (moderate) east wind, and often bald eagles at the mouth of the Sandy River. Distance: 14 SM Chart: Columbia River Cruising Atlas C16-15

4.The Columbia Gorge
Why go? To surf wind waves, paddle along cliffs and, in summer, wear shorts. Likely Conditions: Anywhere from calm to nuclear. Know how to calibrate your skills to conditions, and manage your boat in strong wind. Rock formations provide some rest areas and protection. Notes: Summer west winds create big waves the further east in the Gorge you go; Winter east winds create waves in the Western Gorge. Windsurfing web sites have good forecasts. In summer, enjoy the rare combination of surfing and wearing shorts. Walking Man Brewing in Stevenson opens at 3 PM. Put-in/Take out: Pick your run based on the wind strength you want. Shuttle required.

5.The Santiam and Willamette Rivers: Jefferson to Independence
Why go? The Willamette above the Newberg Pool provides clean water, a feeling of seclusion from nearby roads, and lots of current to zip you along. Likely Conditions: Expect moving water but no rapids; be able to ferry across current and avoid hazards like downed trees. Notes: Speed will change drastically based on river flow. Put-in/Take Out: Put in on the n Santiam River near Jefferson I-5 bridge, above confluence with Willamette at Mile 108; Take out at Independence, mile 95.5 Distance: 21 SM Chart: Willamette River Water Trail Guide, overlaps “Mainstem Willamette River RM 106-187” and “Buena Vista Ferry to the Columbia River”

6. Lewis & Clark Wildlife Refuge
Why go? To paddle among mazes of islands, soak up the wide expanse of the lower Columbia River, watch lots of birds, or cover long miles on extended trips. Likely Conditions: Highly variable based on tidal currents, river current, and wind. Expect afternoon winds on sunny days. Wind can be significant when during crossings. Notes: Lots of duck hunters during waterfowl season. Island channels appear and disappear at at different tide heights. Put-in/Take Out: Aldrich Point and return, or shuttle run to Astoria, Knappa, or Skamokawa Distance: Whatever your heart desires Chart: Columbia River Cruising Atlas C6, others depending on route.

7.Coastal Bays (Nehalem, Nestucca, Tillamook, Yaquina, Alsea, etc.)
Why go? To get your boat salty, explore the estuary, paddle with seals s, and maybe poke your nose out into the Pacific. Or ride the tide upstream until high tide, and then ride the ebb back. Likely Conditions: Variable with wind and tidal current. Expect northwest winds in the afternoons on sunny days. Notes: The mouth of the bays act like nozzles. Stay away from bay mouths during the ebb. Avoid spooking seals into the water. And expect large sections of the shallow bays to become dry at low tide: use the charts to find deep water.

8.Willamette Narrows
Why go? In summer, for a pretty paddle in a natural area close to Portland. In winter, for a play session with strong eddy lines, currents, and boils without the 7-hour drive to Deception Pass. Likely Conditions: When the water is above 58 feet on the Oregon City Upper gauge, expect strong current play conditions and bring a helmet. When it gets to 63 feet, stay away. Notes: Steer clear of wood hazards in current. Put-in/Take Out: For low-flow summer runs, Willamette Park in West Linn. When the current is strong, put in at Hebb Park and take out at Willamette Park. Distance: 6 miles Chart: Willamette River Cruising Atlas, W11-10

9. The Pacific Ocean
Why go? Some of the best paddling on earth: with sea caves, arches, rock gardens, cliffs, and secret coves you can’t get to with any other craft. Surf play. Likely Conditions: Entirely exposed. World-class paddlers and massive container ships have both gotten in trouble. Benign conditions, a trusted group and excellent skills and judgement conditions are all essential. Most days the ocean is closed. But when it’s good, it’s astounding. Notes: This is the pinnacle of sea kayaking. Expect to invest in a long-term process of building skills and judgement and finding paddlers you trust: it will be worth it.. Come to Lumpy Waters Symposium, October 18-20, 2013 to start the learning. (www.lumpywaters.com)

The Columbia Slough has an abundance of wildlife including 170 species of birds, Turtles, mammals and 26 species of fish. This 19 mile long urban wilderness is a water-trail of green beauty sliding through one of Portland’s most industrial areas.

This is a PDF version of the Paddler’s Access Guide: Columbia Slough