Nehalem Bay at it's confluence with the Pacific
Nehalem Bay Oregon
Rating: SKII
Distance: 8-10 NM
Date: September 21, 2004
Leader: Pete Schwab Participants: 2
Launch: 10:00 Return: 2:30
Weather: Clear skies, ~60F, and the lightest of breezes.
Nehalem Bay at it's
confluence with the Pacific
Description:
This one's the nicest of day trips, particularly
when you plan for the tides. Mostly Nehalem Bay is a river, not a bay.
In fact, if the tide's rather low you won't be able to paddle in the area
actually known as the "bay". No loss. Heading south from the launch
site we came to a bend in the river at the town of Wheeler. The bend was
filled with small fishing boats. It was like running a gauntlet. The
boats were so close we were constantly in conversation with one fisherman or
another. A really friendly lot down there in Nehalem. Heading west
we crossed over and took a break on the sandy beach next to the Nehalem Bay
State Park launch site. Good place to stop since there's a bathroom
available.
From the State Park it was a straight shot out to the ocean.
We opted to land on the beach for lunch just before the last turn heading out.
There are shallows there, and they're filled with small breakers. Beyond
is the ocean. Beware on a strong ebb, there can be some pretty large
breakers on the ocean side, especially to the north.
The return trip was a breeze. Rode the flood and risked
paddling through the shallows. At one point, just off Fishery Point, we ran out of water and had to
push our boats to deeper water with our hands but no big deal, we could have
waited a couple of minutes and the flood would have re-floated us.
As day trips go this one was really enjoyable. It may
not be worth the long drive down there but if you stay at the SP, then you could
also do Tillamook Bay and have a great weekend.
Tides/Currents/Weather: The Nehalem River can run pretty fast, so planning to paddle with the current is a real plus. We paddled on a day when the current was at it's slowest and got a really nice ride, riding the ebb out to the edge of the ocean, and the flood back to the launch site. Watch out for the shallow areas. It's easy to run out of water.
Oregon Marine Forecast: http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/total_forecast/index.php?minlon=-125&maxlon=-120.8&minlat=43.39&maxlat=46.91&mapwidth=354&map.x=92&map.y=137
Charts:
For Nehalem
Bay: NOAA Chart #18556
For Tillamook Bay: NOAA Chart #18558
Notes:
1. Another possible launch site, especially in you want to spend the
weekend down in Oregon, is from Nehalem Bay State Park. The launch ramp is
on the
Nehalem River about a mile from where it dumps into the
ocean. Visit their web site at:
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/park_201.php
2. Future trip: Tillamook Bay looks really interesting. Possibly from Memaloose Point launch site.
Directions to Launch Site:
From I-5 at Highway 16 in Tacoma it's 192 miles
(~4 hours) to the launch site on the Nehalem River.
1. From I-5 at Hwy 16 drive 96.7 miles towards Portland.
2. Merge onto WA-432 W/Tennant Way via Exit 36 toward
US-30/Kelso-Longview/Industrial areas - 3.5 miles.
3. Turn left onto Oregon Way / WA-433 and follow 433 for 2.4 miles.
4. Merge onto US-30 W/Lower Columbia River Highway and drive 46.7 miles.
5. Turn slight right onto Marine Drive/US-30 W/Lower Columbia River Hwy.
Continue to follow Marine Drive 1.4 miles.
6. Enter next roundabout and take 1st exit onto US-101 south and drive
38.5 miles to Nehalem.
7. At the bottom of 101 in Nehalem take a right (on 101). You'll go
left to take the bridge and can see, from the bridge, the launch site below you
on your right.
Facilities:
1. Lots of parking at the launch ramp but be sure to PARK ACROSS
THE STREET in the area marked for vehicles without trailers. No fee.
2. There's a bathroom at the launch site.
3. There's also a bathroom at the Nehalem Bay State Park launch ramp.
Sample Magazine Submittal: Nehalem Bay, Oregon (SKII). 8-10 NM. If you're looking to get away from Puget Sound this one's a really nice trip. Plenty of wildlife and great, sandy beaches.
References:
Oregon Boat Launch
Site:
http://www.marinebd.osmb.state.or.us/Access/index.html
Oregon Parks and
Recreation:
http://www.prd.state.or.us/
Oregon State Parks:
http://www.oregonstateparks.org/
Tillamook Bay:
http://www.oregoniba.org/tillamookbay.htm
Tillamook and Surrounding
Areas:
http://www.co.tillamook.or.us/sites/PhotoArchive.htm
Berry, Toby. Northwest Flatwater Paddling. SciScript, Boring, Oregon. 2001.pp.4-5.
