Summer Solstice 2010

22 06 2010

Kellie makes a pretty wake!

My friend April organized a summer solstice paddle on a little lake by the Colu

mbia River this June. June 21 is the longest day of the year, and most years the sunset might freaking actually be visible, not in 2010. In fact I say right here the entire summer is going to be the same, fluorescent-lighted cloudy blah for the Portland area. Anyhow we got out there at a suggestion of an acquaintance who’d been there the prior week.

Laura at the put in...

Joe, Laura, April, Kellie and myself paddled around this area until about nine p.m. – when the gate to the put in closes.

The place has a name – Mirror Lake – my guess is the name comes from the reflection of the waterfall that descends from the Crown Point massif directly above the lake. Unfortunately I-84 is only a few yards to the north – and the Union Pacific line a few hundred yards south!

Nevertheless, it’s got some interesting

pockets to explore, and at the very end of one of these, there’s a bridge where we hauled out to grab a snack.

I was WAY thankful to Joe for the treats he stashed and then laid out on the bridge! I kind of

At one point I split the paddle and utilized canoe-motion...

rushed out the door and didn’t even pack water! But Joe, now he was just the opposite.

Joe had a quarter round of cheese, a home made loaf of bread, M&Ms, raspberries, and even a bottle of Meyers Dark Rum and cocktail mixings! Wow. Laura had a bottle of wine with real glasses! So it turned out to be a nice break on solstice night. Only thing missing was a massive bonfire and ritual sacrifices!

I DO HOPE the solstice ritual brings a change in the stubborn thick clouds around here!


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Eric Jackson Makes the Most of the Dark Side (Bud)

4 06 2010

 Eric Jackson has certainly made a name for himself in the world of freestyle whitewater kayaking and outdoor business.

The world champion turned business owner has never strayed far from his core values – though recent advertisements showing EJ quaffing Budweiser might have some thinking otherwise. His Jackson Kayak business has been wildly successful, especially in its specialty retailer-friendly policies and no questions asked kayak guarantees. But EJ / Budweiser? Eybrows are raised for sure.

Yes, lots of whitewater boaters would prefer EJ throw down a PBR or at the very least a respectable Terminal Gravity IPA. Only they turn the pages of magazines to see him standing there with Bud in hand. Well, all is not lost!

EJ has managed to use the relationship to benefit whitewater boating. According to Canoe & Kayak Magazine, EJ is partnering with the National Park Service on the Let’s Go Paddling campaign, where newbies are introduced to kayaking. And Budweiser is putting up some serioius coin to display 8,300 kayaks in Bud retailers this year, hoping to attract new paddlers.

So, is there an alcohol/paddling connection? Is EJ partnering with the devil he knows? You decide.


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Memorial Day 2010: Timothy Lake, Oregon

2 06 2010

My friend Jessie reserved two sites at Gone Creek, a campground at the  popular Timothy Lake recreation area less than two hours from Portland, Oregon. Reserving a site means putting your bucks on the line – especially in our region, especially this year. Fact is, you never know if people will show up or if you will get stuck with all the fees. So I committed to show support! When all was said and done, 2010 was the rainiest May in history! But this weekend we braved the weather and scored. Four of us headed up Friday night and set up regardless of the forecast. Francis and I arrived first and set up these easy up shelters over the picnic tables, and got our tents set up during a lull in the rain. In all, ten campers/kayakers enjoyed the weekend!

I felt TOTALLY stoked borrowing my neighbor’s 12×12 Easy Up shelter. That thing ROCKS! It makes fixing and eating dinner a snap and rain not a problem. Later Jessie arrived with her new Kelty 16ft long tarp. When all set up we had the square shelter over the table and the ‘entry way.’ It was awesome – and we added battery operated, color changing Christmas lights.

Our awesome executive campsite!

Fire lit, dinner done and a glass in wine in hand, we hung out around the fire and enjoyed as the rain showers diminished. All night the rain pitter pattered on the roof of my tent. It was my new REI Quarter Dome T3. It was nice to have all that space. It didn’t leak, but putting up the fly-a piece ripped and I’m gonna have to take it back.

One issue Friday night was our Saturday morning breakfast person – Rebecca. Was she going to show up? Did we have stuff to eat if she didn’t show? Rebecca was supposed to make vegan burritos Saturday. But no show. So we sat around the fire and figured out what we were going to make for Saturday breakfast….some of this…some of that. A little oats, some hard boiled eggs, fruit, some bacon…

It didn’t rain. But some of this was Monday’s breakfast! So we asked Kent, on his way up, to grab some more stuff to replace Monday’s supplies!

I had scheduled a Meetup.com paddle for 11:00. Our group wasn’t motivating very quickly and it was already 10:20. I tried to hint hey wegotta get moving!

Ready to head out!

So I got my dry suit going, and by 10:45, Brian, the day paddler from our meetup showed up. And then Laura! That got the rest of them moving. I greeted Brian and tried to kind of stall, hoping everyone else would get moving. He was patient and they got it together. By 11:30 we were off.

We headed west to Hoodview Campground, then turned north to cross the lake. My plan was to show the group the primitive camping sites on the north and northeast side. It’s a simple way to get away from crowds and enjoy peace without having to go really far afield. We put ashore and everyone thought the sites were lovely.

We lunched at a picnic table, and checked out the neighboring site. These sites are nice as they even have fire rings!

Once done, we headed east past Meditation Point and up the east arm of the lake. Little Crater Lake Creek enters the lake at the top of the arm. The character of the lake changes completely here. It becomes more marsh like, with islands of reeds and peaceful areas on either side. Further on, it narrows and the current quickens.

Laura checks out the beaver lodge

We pass a beautiful beaver lodge. You can paddle right up and check it out. The water is so clear, you can see the underwater entrances the beavers use to enter their home.

Further on, and faster current.

Rod attains up the creek

The stream meanders a bit and then we run right up into a walking bridge – no further paddling possible! A few of us disembark to check out the site.

After paddling back across the lake, we take time to start the fire and relax, sharing stories. Soon, Kent arrives, and then it’s time to begin preparation for the highlight of the evening – Wok night at the campsite! We chopped onion, carrot, green pepper, garlic, brocolli, ginger, bok choy, water chestnut, baby corn, shrimp, chicken, etc. All kinds of sauces are available. Brown rice as a bed. Yum! Then, Laura breaks out the lemon squares for dessert! And of course the wine flowed.

But before dark Mount Hood emerged for us!

Then, time for more fun by the fire….lots of stories. I brought the blow-poke. This brass barbed tube is good for stoking the fire and moving the logs around.

Sunday Katie and Christian prepared a breakfast feast of oatmeal with fresh fruit and it was just what we needed. All fed and fueled up, some headed back out on the lake, whilst others decided to do a big hike. Jessie and Joel hiked all the way around! Francis and I packed up and made a cover for Jessie’s stuff and headed out. A nice Memorial Day weekend! Let the summer begin!


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Surprise Surprise Lake Merwin Paddle was Great!

23 05 2010

Monte at the falls!

The weather has once again sucked us back into the black hole of some kind of winterish mix. I don’t know about you, but I’m sick of the stubborn gray clouds hanging around the PacificNW in May 2010. We’ve had a few beauties, but most gorgeous days are teasers in between a week of ugly. So, this past week when I had a Paddle NW Meetup scheduled for Lake Merwin, I was not exactly jumping out of my seat with anticipation. Then, the last evening three people dropped out. Rather than just cancel I sulkingly drove up there. Monte and Bibi did come, and that made me feel a lot better.

On the way, I did a double take seeing the local search and rescue vehicle…hmmm…budget cuts!

Better not need a rescue!

Once suited up in my dry suit, I was ready for anything. We were prepared. The plan called for heading east up the end of the lake and then ducking into canyon creek. So we snapped on the spray skirts and headed out. Wouldn’t you know it the sun came out. It was really pretty, the gray/white/blue sky and then the dappled sunlight on the hills around the lake. It wasn’t windy at all.

Bibi after lunch, ready to go...

Lake Merwin is one of three major hydraulic dam reservoirs in the Lewis River system. The other two are Swift Reservoir and Yale Lake. They’re owned by PacifiCorp. The company runs recreation sites along the reservoirs. On the east end of Merwyn, we put in at Spelyai Bay, which is day use only. Further up is Cresap Bay, and it’s a day use/boat launch, swimming area and campground.

The lakes lie in deep gorges, so the banks can be steep. There are not many places to land a kayak. We found one just beyond where route 503 crosses the lake on a suspension bridge. It’s got a fire ring and picnic tables. There, Bibi, myself and Monte had ourselves some lunch. The weather cooperated, which was very nice. Not widely known is that Merwin is home to a population of Tiger Muskellunge – a very aggressive upper Midwestern fish commonly growing over 50 inches! They were planted to control the squaw fish invasive species. But I’ve got to think the Tiger Muskies will devour everything!

Once done, we hopped back in the boats and headed further east. Somewhere at the east end of the lake, Canyon Creek, famous for its hairy whitewater, enters, but we were really wondering where the heck it was. Finally we rounded a bend and there were floating balls across the lake with a sign warning DO NOT GO FURTHER – DAM. But just before this barricade was the outflow of Canyon Creek. We headed up this little canyon and eventually found the last rapid of the creek, a 3-foot waterfall entering the lake.

Not long after, we ran into two other kayakers who turned out to be friends of Andrew’s. Andrew had canceled, but his two guests wanted to paddle regardless of the weather. They were really pleased with their luck. Nice folks – Richard and Ginette. We paused and visited for maybe 20 minutes. They continued up into the creek, while we started on our way back. We encountered a major downpour, and I kind of wondered about Bibi, who wasn’t wearing a hat! But she’s got a thick head of hair! She said she wasn’t bothered at all. She was having a good time!

Richard and Ginette

Eventually we reached Cresap Bay Recreation area and explored it a little. I couldn’t decide from what I saw if it’d be worthwhile coming back there to camp. Once back out on the lake, we ran into Richard and Ginette again, and the five of us paddled back to our put in. The sun came out while we took the boats out, and that was pleasant! I’d say we’ll return to Lake Merwyn sometime!


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Early Season Timothy Lake!

19 05 2010

Two weeks ago we had a group headed to camp at the magical Metolius River. Cars all packed up and ready to go. All week, the forecast had been sunny Saturday and Sunday. Friday morning? Wake up, check the forecast: Cloudy, temperature lowered to high of 50, with 15-20 mph winds gusting to 30! Collectively we said forget it! It was really disappointing.

This past weekend the opposite happened. Everything changed for the better. So good, in fact, that I took it upon myself to call the ranger station and inquire as to whether Road 42, the access road, was clear and if  Timothy Lake might be open.

Morning mist on Timothy Lake

The Zig Zag District Ranger said the road is definitely open, and there would be camping. Though opening day is May 21, they were going to try to open a week early if they could. Further, even if the campground is closed, camping would be allowed and free – you’d just have to walk in. With that, I was stoked, and scheduled a Meetup with PaddleNW, my paddling group.

I planned to head out Friday night but during packing disaster happened. a petroleum odor was coming from one of my gear boxes. Opening it, I saw to my horror that one of the tiki torch bottles for Metolius had leaked 1″ of kero all over! Some gear was ruined, and what wasn’t needed a thorough cleaning = heading out that night aborted!

With everything cleaned up, I took off Saturday morning. In Friday’s chaos, I canceled the meetup. But the weather was looking SWEEET. Arriving at Skyline Road, also known as Forest Road 42, there wasn’t much snow around. A few patches at best. All along the 9-mile road there was a bit of snow, but the road was 100% clear. Once at the Timothy Lake area, I passed closed Gone Creek and Oak Fork Campgrounds, and my heart sank a bit. But luck struck! Hoodview was open. And only 35% full. Lots of spots – I got one lakeside.

It was also an opportunity to use my REI Quarter Dome T3 tent for the first time.

New Tent – Big Space, Under 5-lb

It is very strange to set up. It has a system where, once you have them all connected and straight, all three poles are locked together by swivels – you cannot pull the poles out! There is only one right way to do it. Putting it up took twice as long as my other tent. But once done, it does have a lot of room inside, for a 3-person tent. It also weighs less than five pounds.

Fish on a string

Paddling was a treat. It was warm, over 70 degrees, and very slight wind.

A few fishermen tried their luck. One had a whole string of hatchery trout already!

I decided to paddle across the lake to Meditation Point. Meditation Point is a primitive camping area. Access is by backpack or boat only. What’s cool is that these primitive sites have fire rings.

Looking across from Meditation Point

Way nice. I plan on bringing the Meetup group here later in the summer.

The evening brought plenty of bright stars. Very quiet – with the campground not busy.

Next day, it quickly turned sunny. Sooo pretty. I could see the ski areas on Mount Hood, some 13 miles distant. It was closing day at Mount Hood Meadows.

Warning!

I had to use one of summer’s dreaded haunts – the pit toilet. There was some new language in there, reminding me of what is to come. At this early stage, it was darn pleasent in there, though.

I undertook another paddle, to check out the closed campgrounds. I left in the sun, it was just gorgeous. But once arriving at Gone Creek, something weird happened. Rain! The one cloud in the area was arriving over the campground and I was right there. I could see it NOT raining back at Hoodview. So I sprinted as fast as I could to get out of that shower. And once there, I packed up my stuff as fast as I could – fearing another bomblet of rain would soak everything.

Well, all packed up, I bid farewell to the fishermen on shore and headed home. On the road there were places where it had rained a lot! I felt fortunate my spot stayed dry long enough to pack up. I’ll be back in a couple of weeks for Memorial Day!


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Sauvie Island Paddling with OOPS

12 05 2010

This past Saturday I joined OOPS (Oregon Ocean Paddling Society) for a trip around the lakes of Sauvie Island, near Portland, Oregon.

After a frustrating period of stubbornly cold and cloudy weather, the weekend of May 8-9 dawned beautiful. And I was delighted to take advantage.

Looking back at Mount Saint Helens from Sturgeon Lake

OOPS had a scheduled trip around Sturgeon Lake and into the Gilbert River – I was fortunate to grab a last minute spot.

I used to live in Washington, DC and in the summer we’d visit Maryland’s Eastern Shore. Every time I cross the bridge over to Sauvie Island, and drive a mile inward, I’m transported back there. It’s flat, with old hardwoods, cows, fences, farms, and produce stands. All things one would see on the Eastern Shore. Except for the majestic snowy Cascade peaks in the background.

Over the years, I’ve talked to a lot of paddlers who’ve said good things about Sauvie Island. I’ve been there a number of times without discovering anything to say positively about paddling it. This weekend I learned why. The reason is timing. When I’ve visited the island in the past, it’s either been in the summer or hunting season. The little shallow lakes were always full of disgusting green water (due to cow poo) and there were cows everywhere. I remember walking past cow manure to the shore. One time it was so muddy you couldn’t get to the put in. In hunting season, it’s closed altogether.

This time, though, it is mid spring. The water was, well, brown/muddy, but at least it didn’t seem a poop lake. The day was as picture perfect as can be, some trees were flowering, the sky blue, and views of the Cascade peaks as glorious as can be.

We suited up, got through the safety talk and headed out. I was thankful to not be leading a trip for a change! Nice to just paddle along. The total mileage was to be 10 miles – most I’ve done this year on the injured shoulder.

We cruised along through Sturgeon Lake. The water was muddy everywhere, and at one point it was so shallow each stroke left a swirl of mud behind. Then, even shallower, paddle faces were covered with mud after a stroke. Out in the widest part of the lake I could see carp jumping in the distance – when we drew closer, it became evident there were thousands of them, and they bumped up against my boat and sometimes my paddle would smack into them! That’s a first.

All during the day, we saw adult and immature bald eagles. Some were pairs circling in the sky, while others were perched regally on overhanging branches. Used to people, none of them even flinched when approached. We also saw plenty of blue herons, wrens, red winged blackbirds, carp, and turtles.

Turtle Party!

Today’s trip required a small portage. When we arrived at the spot, we paused for lunch. Nesting birds were not all that pleased with us, squawking their disapproval. The put in was a bit tricky as the water deepened quickly right at the shore. Where I put my boat, it was a muddy incline, and just before I was to alight my kayak, I slipped, and my drysuit became mud-caked! Once back on the lake,  we soon rounded a bend and started down the Gilbert River. This stretch is clearer and deeper. It eventually leads to the Multnomah Channel. Along the banks of the Gilbert River picnickers and fishermen were clearly enjoying this fine spring day!


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