Sea Kayak - Cathlamet to Skamokawa

At observed water level of 0.4-0.8', we had to wade/drag boats on and off for about 0.5nm north of the junction of Steamboat Slough and Elochoman River. I estimate that you need 2' of observed water (NOAA) at Wauna to paddle through with no issues. DeepZoom prediction for 3:45pm was 1.5' - likely need at least 2' on DeepZoom to get through.

Wind was too strong at the east end of Puget Island as we drove by on the way to Cathlamet. Decided to paddle to and a little past Skamokawa through the sloughs and return on the outside of the islands. We launched a little late as one paddler was delayed getting to the launch, but got on the water by 10:00am. We paddled north up the slough behind Hunting Islands. Stopped for a break on the sand beach at the north entrance of the slough from the main river.

After break, we paddled into a quartering wind and then into Steamboat Slough behind Price Island where we did rescue practice for an equivalency. We then paddled to the beach at Vista Park and had lunch. After lunch we continued northwest to the number 29 marker, then turned around to head back.

With the wind quartering from the stern and the river current flowing pretty strong (2-3kt) against us, we alternately surfed and worked the eddies back to Skamokawa and then along the outside of Price Island, stopping again at the beach at the entrance to the slough behind Hunting Islands. Conditions got pretty rough in places around small points creating current rips and standing waves. Good practice for all.

After break, we decided to paddle back through the slough as some were getting fatigued from boat handing in the conditions. Unfortunately the water level was too low to float all the way through and we ended up having to wade and drag boats on and off for 1/2nm. Lots of newts were viewed in this section.

Made it back to the launch around 4:30pm.