Lake Billy Chinook Event: METOLIUS TO DESCHUTES RIVER – One-way paddle with shuttle - L2

When
May 18, 2024
9:00 AM
Location
Lake Billy Chinook
Spaces left
9
Registered
3 registrants

Registration

Members with wet exit certification
Active club members with wet exit certification, including kayaking professional and lifetime. Provisional acceptance pending approval by the trip organizer.

Leader: Lori Stole

Narrative: Join Ken Sund and me (Lori Stole) for this special opportunity to experience the entire length of the Metolius Arm AND the beautiful canyon into the Deschutes. This is a 1-way shuttle trip with the Lower Deschutes day use area on one end and Perry South Campground (Metolius Arm) on the other end. Direction and shuttle plan will be determined the night before based on expected wind direction. We DO prefer the wind to be in our paddle direction! There’s a bathroom and boat launch ramp at each end. The shuttle requires 1 hour, plus time to move boats.

The route is anchored on the west end by the Perry South Campground. From there it heads east into the long, narrow Lake Billy Chinook. Paddlers on this trip will get to see the entire beautiful length of the Metolius Arm. There are numerous little coves and interesting geology to view along the lakeshore. The route passes along Chinook Island, then more coves before circling around to the right into the Crooked River/Deschutes River arm. A bit further on our route takes us to the right again, into the narrow, steep-sided and picturesque mouth of the Deschutes Arm where the lake width is 500-600’. It continues up the Deschutes Arm to the Lower Deschutes Day Use area, the east-end anchor of our trip.
We’ll make stops at Chinook Island, Juniper Cove and elsewhere as needed.
If this trip is like my last one here, we’ll see fish jumping in front of us, birds and maybe even a weasel.

Total paddle distance is about 12 nm (13.8 statute miles).
Paddle time: About 4.5 hours, plus stops
The day will finish by completing the other half of the shuttle.

The water will be cold, Please wear a drysuit.
Equipment should include only hard-shell kayaks at least 14’ long. A Level 2 trip wet exit certification is required and you must wear a spray skirt.
Bring your lunch, snacks, sun protection and all the usual safety gear for a full day of paddling.

Meeting time: TBD based on wind and shuttle plan. A random time is listed below because that was required to enable posting, but it is still TBD the night before.
There’s no day use fee at the campground.
A waterway access permit is required.
Possible dangers: We’ll need to watch for motorboats.

Meeting Time: 9:00:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:00:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Perry South Campground
Take out: Lower Deschutes Day Use area
Route Alternative for bad weather: The route might be in reverse direction - it all depends on the wind direction.
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Lori Stole
Co-Organizer(s): Ken Sund, Joe Howell
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: 12
I certify that I understand and will conduct this activity in accordance with the OOPS Activity Policy: Yes
Estimated Air Temperature: 60
Estimated Water Temperature: 45
Estimated Water Time (including breaks/lunch): 5.5 hrs
Tide times & heights: N/A
Current information:
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 1: None or mild (less than 1 knot)
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:
Location: Lake Billy Chinook
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)

Comments and Discussion

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon