July 1999 Volume VI Number 7

**(For updates or changes see our website:

at http://www.efn.org/~canoe)**

Next Meeting:

!!! Summer Schedule!!!!!

Aug 3th 6:30 at Canoe Canal (See Program information below)

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Summer meetings:

First Tuesday of every month, 6:30 p.m. Various boating sites Watch Newsletter and Web site for details

Next Newsletter: Deadline Aug 28,1999

PROGRAM INFORMATION:

August Meeting Tuesday, Aug 3rd will find us at the Alton Baker Canoe Canal:

The August meeting will take place on Tuesday the 3rd, 6:30pm at the canoe canal in Alton Baker Park. We'll meet at the little footbridge across from Autzen stadium and paddle up the canal to find a nice spot to share our snacks and discuss upcoming events like the Eugene Celebration. Some of us may choose to run the full loop (up-canal with a paddle and then down-Willamette to the duck pond).

MINUTES CASCADE CANOE CLUB July l999.

On the 6th of July we met at the coyote Creek boat launch area: It was a small meeting food, fun and paddling.

 NO Minutes received at time of publication. Ed.

TRIP REPORTS: John Day Trip

On June 16th eight of us met at Clarno Bridge for a fun-filled 5-day paddle trip down the John Day River to Cottonwood Bridge. 5 miles down river was the class 3 Clarno rapids which several people portaged around, but Lana came through it with flying colors in her canoe, and of course, Horst skillfully guided the raft through it. Horst's computer research proved successful, as he chose a beautiful 5 days to be on the river--not too hot & not too cold (mid to upper 70's)--and no rain!! Nice going, Horst! The river level was high [3900 - 2500 cfs], resulting in fewer visible rocks along the way. And Lana's culinary skills deserve special recognition; couldn't have asked for better meals. The last meal was my favorite (but they were all great!): veggie stew with fresh potatoes, carrots, onions, celery, yummy spices and to top if off, we had a campfire & made Smores for dessert (brings back girl scout memories). We all got along great--seemed like Phil always had an interesting story to tell.

Each day brought new adventures & sights. Twice we sighted big-horned sheep. The first time was when we stopped to look at Indian petroglyphs; this one didn't seem to notice us. The next time we saw a family of sheep at the top of a high rock watching us float down-river; they appeared quite interested in us. There were 7 or 8 of them, including several youngsters.

The scenery on this stretch is spectacular with incredible rock formations. Vast floods of Columbia River basalt 13-16 million years ago capped the area with a rimrock of black lava; cliffs exhibit basalt's characteristic hexagonal pillars. Ok, so there were a few cows along the way (which we tried to ignore). An unexpected surprise came as a family of river otters playing in the water; they didn't seem at all afraid of us, in fact they were curiously watching us paddle by them fairly closely. Tim & Leslie spotted a Golden Eagle; Leslie was great at spotting birds before anyone else. She also pointed out several Screech Owls in our campsite on the last night. We heard them & didn't know what they were, but our birder came to the rescue. She also pointed out an Oriole nest in the tree as we watched an Oriole fly into it.

Ken deserves special recognition as keeper of the rocket seat. He found nice, private locations, often with a view. It didn't even smell, riding next to it in the raft. Horst was our fearless raft guide, taking us over dangerous rapids (actually they weren't that bad--mostly class 1 &2 and 1 class 3). John & Joan occasionally traded with Horst, discovering how heavy those oars can be--good exercise!

Ken appeared to thoroughly enjoy Horst's inflatable kayak. Fortunately, nobody capsized; the only time we got into the water was to cool off at the end of the day.

This was definitely one of my favorite trips. Let's do it again next year. Joan

FISH LAKE TRIP

On our first day of real summer weather, seven club members in five boats made the Fish Lake paddle. They were Cheryl & Robert Horner, Joan & John Skarda, Bonnie Adkins, Steve Butler and Chris Luneski.

Fish Lake turned out to be everything we had hoped for. At the put in, the visible part of the lake appears more or less circular. Paddling North, the lake narrows and the tree covered shoreline steepens, with several snow melt streams tumbling in. Further on, the long meandering creek bed becomes visible as the lake gets shallower. Finally, the lake becomes a stream, which can be paddled for a quarter mile or so. All of us did that until some riffles appeared along with a very convenient pull out perfect for lunch. With the warm sun and good company, none of us were in a mood to rush through lunch. Eventually, we all drifted down the stream back to the lake. Robert and I did some ecologically friendly "don't catch & you won't have to release" fishing. We later heard there is an endangered strain of Cutthroat in the lake and stream, though they were in absolutely no danger from Robert & me. As an aside, Robert said were in absolutely no this was the first club trip where kayaks outnumbered canoes ( four to one). This year, I would guess there will be plenty of water in the lake well into July. So there is still plenty of time to paddle it if you are so inclined. Chris Luneski

WICKIUP RESEVOIR

Since nobody seemed much interested in the trip to Thompson Valley Reservoir, I ended up going to Wickiup Reservoir with my son and grandson. At full pool Wickiup is the largest body of water along the Cascade Lakes Highway ( Century Drive for us old-timers). The main body of the Reservoir enjoys the presence of water skiers, jet skis and strong afternoon winds. Doesn't sound too inviting, does it? However, the inlet arms, the Deschutes River and Davis Creek, have a 10 mph speed limit and are free of the water skiers and jet skis. We stayed at Gull Point Campground at the mouth of the Deschutes arm. From there it is about an eight to ten mile round-trip up the arm which is like a broad winding river most of the way. Lots of little inlets and a couple of islands for exploring and very pretty. The wind came up between 11 AM and 2 PM on the days we were there, and it blows down the arm toward the reservoir. The reach of the wind, though, isn't great enough to create much in the way of waves (not true for the main body of the reservoir). By going up the arm in late morning, the wind creates a nice lazy drift on the way back. We didn't get to the Davis Creek arm on this trip, but I camped at the West Davis Creek Campground many years ago. My recollection is the water at the head of that arm, at least, is crystal clear (spring-fed). With the lay of the land, I suspect it is reasonably well protected from the wind. Plenty of water to explore here too. Chris Luneski

Hosmer Lake

...It was wonderful over at the "Great Lake" this year. About 10 friends came over and spent various parts of the week with Cheryl and me. The mosquitoes were annoying at times and we had a couple of thunder showers but my memories are not of them. The things that stick with me are seeing the eagle and osprey vying for food, paddling up the inlet creek and checking out the little waterfall and swimming with friends in Elk Lake with breakfast at the little lodge at Elk. This area will always satisfy us because its just enough to be there and enjoy the clean air.

Completing the John Day River, by Horst Lueck

Special write up see [insert], appendix, or <http://www.efn.org/~canoe/hbl_johnday_tumwater.htm> for revisions and pics in the future.

Willamette River after work float:

On Friday July 23 Leslie, Tim, Joy and Horst went on a short after-work-float on the Willamette River. This trip was scheduled as a quick "let's go and do it!" activity and the announcement was sent out via e-mail broadcast. We met at Island Park in Springfield and enjoyed playing in the rapids, before eddying out at the Steelhead Brewpub. There we studied IPA flow statistics at a rate of approximately 3 pph (pints per hour). Horst Lueck

Eugene Celebration.....

Its that time again! Last year we set up a booth in the community causeway and I bugged club members to donate 2 hours of their time to hand out literature and talk the language of "canoeing". I think it was fun (thank you Ken), educational and informative. I vote to do it again but this year I'm going to be a volunteer-participant not the organizer. So some individual needs to step forward an take the hand-off. I can get a long table and some chairs. Let me know! Deadline Aug. 31 . Robert

Alaska: Here We Come.........

Friday, July 30th we are going north to the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge to do some paddling in the canoe routes. Scott, Paula, Cathy and I will be packing into an area set up like the BWCA in Minnesota. Along with driving up and back and paddling two weeks, the trip will be a month long. We will miss you all but hopefully it will produce a good slide show to share on one of those rainy (that’s what its doing right now in Alaska) nights this winter. See you all, down the stream, Robert

CLUB WEB SITE:NOTE:(Check the Club Web site it may have more up-to-date information on trips or last minute changes.) http://www.efn.org/~canoe

If you have places you'd like to paddle e-mail your ideas or share them at the next meeting. If you don't feel you can coordinate the trip we can find someone to volunteer. There is interest in beginner to early intermediate white water trips. Does someone have any ideas/ be willing to coordinate? Omar 

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For Sale: "Paddling Lane County, 24 easy routes for canoe or kayak" written by club member Jim Hutchison. Available from the club for $5.00. Retail Price $6.95 to $7.95.

Cascade Paddles & Portage Staffs

You choose the length, style and types of wood. Over a dozen blade styles to choose from; bent or straight. Now also available for hikers or long portages: walking staffs, strong and light. Robert 342-2246