Search trip reports
P1000785.JPG

Trip Report    

Sea Kayak - Columbia River: Sandy, Martin & Goat Islands

A great day (if a bit windy) paddling past sandy beaches, basalt cliffs and quiet sloughs.

Will Greenough Will Greenough
May 14, 2025
  • Road suitable for all vehicles

  • The forecast was for moderate winds (9-10kt with possible gusts to 23kt) and the wind was already near the forecast strength when we all arrived at the launch. There were some whitecaps on the river across from Kalama.  The wind did strengthen a bit at times during the day, but the gusts did not materialize. The river crossings were done in winds of 5-10kt with waves around 1' and a few white caps.

All participants arrived on time at the launch. The wind was already at 7-10kt from the north with wind waves developed near 1' and some whitecaps showing. Two participants decided to cancel as it was going to be a bit rough on the crossings and the headwinds in the morning a bit much for their taste.

We were able to launch ahead of schedule at 9:05am after our beach talk, and headed across to the east side of Sandy Island, letting the current take us downstream as we crossed. Staying relatively close to shore, we paddled north with the current but with a headwind, making good progress. At the north end of the island, we crossed to Goble and continued up the Oregon shore to a good beach next to Coffin Rock  that was well sheltered from the wind. We arrived at the beach at around 10:25am. The weather was sunny, so we decided to do the rescue demonstrations required for two equivalency candidates here during our break. Both were successful.

After break, at around 11am, we continued north under the beautiful basalt cliffs and quiet coves at the site of the old Trojan nuclear electric generation unit. Farther north, we paddled along the shore of Prescott Beach Park and made the turn around at the north end of the park. As we turned back, the wind picked up for a bit, allowing one participant to put up their sail and get a free ride for a while. We stopped for lunch at the small and pretty sandy pocket beach along the basalt cliffs at around 12:30pm.

We left the cove after lunch at 1:15pm and headed back south to Goble, where we crossed over to the west side of Sandy Island. Continuing south, we explored a short distance into the first slough along the side of the island and then paddled to the beach on the west side of the south end under a high bank of dredge tailings.

After break, we paddled out around the wing dam lines, maintaining a good ferry angle to keep from being swept into them by the current. The wind was still blowing at 7-10kt against the current, making for steeper waves  and some breaking waves on the crossing. We stayed together as a group, making it back to the launch by about 3:15pm.

Total distance: 11.12nm
Average moving speed: 2.5kt