Mayfield Lake, Cowlitz & Tilton Gorges

Trip

Sea Kayak - Mayfield Lake, Cowlitz & Tilton Gorges

Explore these two beautiful river gorges during a time when very few people see them.

  • Sea Kayak II+
  • Moderate
  • Mileage: 13.5 nm
  • Maximum Wind: 15 kts
  • Maximum Waves: 1 ft
  • Maximum Currents: 2 kts
  • Pace: 3 kt

Meet at the day use area of Ike Kinswa State Park (Discover Pass required). Arrive in enough time so we can launch by 9:30am.

Bring wheels if you have them as it's  a bit of a hike to the water.

Explore Tilton and Cowlitz River gorges as these rivers flow into Mayfield Lake. We'll start from the swimming beach at Ike Kinswa State Park (need your Discover Pass) and do a short trip up as far as we can go against the current up the Tilton. Then we will paddle back past the start and across the park into the Cowlitz River. This gorge is much longer, getting wilder the farther in we go. We should see a waterfall or two and paddle under the spectacular Highway 12 bridge. If the current isn't too strong, we may get to paddle within view of the tallest dam in Washington.

Current COVID vaccination is required of all participants.

Route/Place

Mayfield Lake, Cowlitz & Tilton Gorges


Roster
Required Equipment

Required Equipment

These eight essentials plus The Ten Essentials are required on all sea kayaking trips.  All but the whistle and clothing should be provided with any kayak rental.

  1. Floatation in both ends of the kayak
  2. U.S. Coast Guard approved Personal Flotation Device (PFD)
  3. Paddle
  4. Spray skirt
  5. Bilge pump with floatation
  6. Self-rescue paddle float
  7. Waterproof whistle
  8. Appropriate clothing for the conditions encountered seasonally
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