Lake Billy Chinook Event - Lake Simtustus--SOUTH TO ROUND BUTTE DAM - L2

When
May 19, 2024
9:30 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 Joe and me (Lori Stole) for a final scenic paddle on our way home. The long, skinny Lake Simtustus is formed by Pelton Dam to its north, and is fed by the water flowing from Round Butte Dam out of Lake Billy Chinook. This lake is downstream from all the other paddle trips this weekend.

This trip is on the 3rd and final day of our paddle weekend. Unless you plan to stay an additional night at the campground you’ll need to break camp and pack everything up before heading to the put-in. The good news is that the put-in is in the direction of our return trip to Portland.
Being the last day, it’s also possible that some folks will have greater aspirations than others as to how long their paddle day is, or what time they put in, in which case Lori and Joe can probably provide the option of breaking into 2 groups, with one possibly starting earlier in the morning and/or paddling farther. Our aspirations will also be tempered by the wind and weather conditions.
We’ll meet the night before to finalize a trip plan.

We’ll launch at PGE’s Pelton Park which has a boat launch, campground, café, etc.
We’ll all head south from Pelton Park. There are many coves to explore, as the group chooses. The narrow lake is beautiful. If wind and weather conditions allow, the energetic group might make it all the way to Round Butte Dam. That’s the same dam you might have already seen from Lake Billy Chinook. The less-energetic group will most likely paddle to Indian Park or Shipwreck Beach, dependent on the group’s desires.
Lake Simtustus has the potential to be very windy; wind conditions will rule over the final plan.

Paddle Distance: 13 nm (15 statute miles) maximum to base of Round Butte Dam and back.
6 / 7.8 nm (7 / 9 statute miles) to Indian Park/Shipwreck Beach, round trip.
Paddle time: 5 hours at most, plus stops

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.

Meeting time: TBD. A random launch time is listed because it was required by the system to enable posting. We'll plan the actual start time together the night before.
A waterway access permit is required.
Possible dangers: We’ll need to watch for motorboats.

To get to the put-in from Crooked River Campground (30 min): Turn right out of Crooked River Campground onto SW Jordan Rd/SW Peck Rd. Continue up the canyon wall; just at the top of the climb on the left is an easily-missed side road that looks like someone’s driveway, SW Mountain View Dr. It follows the edge of the canyon. After almost 7 miles turn right onto SW Belmont Lane, then left onto SW Elk Dr, which becomes SW Elk Dr.
Pelton Park: 3300 NW Pelton Dam Rd., Madras, OR 97741

Meeting Time: 9:30:00 AM
Launch Time: 10:30:00 AM
Type of activity: Paddle Trip
Put in: Pelton Park
Take out: Pelton Park
Route Alternative for bad weather: Same start point, shorter trip
Required equipment:
Minimum Immersion protection: Drysuit
Primary Organizer: Lori Stole
Co-Organizer(s): 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): Up to 6 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: Pelton Park
Photos (Optional): yes
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)

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0?ui=2&ik=08d726aa50&attid=0.1&permmsgid=msg-f%3A1797820699413397296&th=18f324669e613f30&view=att&disp=safe

Comments and Discussion

Oregon Ocean Paddling Society
Portland, Oregon