Cobbled Beaches and Plant-covered Pilings from Old River Towns
Expansive Views Up and Down River
Opportunity for Paddling in Wind and Waves
Historic Landscapes
This tour is an out and back from our shop in Skamokawa. We will paddle down river as far as the site of the former town of Brookfield, passing the former town sites of Bayview, Rockland, Glenella. The shores of the Columbia were once lined with river towns that are no longer. In the days when 39 salmon canneries were in operation on the Lower Columbia, these towns thrived. The shore through here is now wild, with cobble-covered coves tucked among dramatic basalt bluffs, or forested hillsides dropping steeply to the water's edge.
A few structures still stand, but lines of old pilings are often the only visible vestiges of the existence of whole communities that once bore canneries, mills, farms and homes. On this loop down river from Skamokawa you can get a feel for how this area was during its heyday and note how nature has reclaimed it since it was abandoned in the 1930s.
The tour is a little longer than most of our full-day tours, but will have tide and current to help in both directions, so the total time is the same.
Arrive at kayak shop
Gather gear and kayaks
Safety review
Launch from shop
Paddle downriver
Lunch at river beach
Return to shop
957 Steamboat Slough Rd, Ste 1
Skamokawa, WA
957 Steamboat Slough Rd, Ste 1
Skamokawa, WA
June-September:
One quart plastic water bottle (full)
Lunch, snacks
Sunscreen and lip protection
Sunglasses with strap
Hat for rain and sun
Non-cotton shirts (2) for layering (wool, pile, polypro, other synthetic)
Non-cotton pants (nylon, wool, spandex, fleece)
Eyeglass strap
Sandals with heel strap or neoprene booties, or any shoes that can get wet
Swimsuit (optional, but makes a quick-drying under-layer)
Towel
Change of clothes for the trip home
Gloves for blister protection (optional)
Drybag*
Camera, film, binoculars
The Other Months:
Drysuit if you have one*
More and warmer non-cotton layers
Shatterproof thermos with hot drink
Warm paddling gloves or pogies*
Paddling jacket or rain jacket*
Wetsuit if you have one*
Wool or fleece socks
* CRK has these items available and are included in the price of your class or tour.
Guide, Kayak, Paddle, PFD, Dry Bags, Spray Jacket, Pogies, Wetsuit
Lunch, Snacks, Sun Protection (though we do have things in lost and found you can borrow if you forget yours)
Please arrive 15 minutes to half an hour before your lesson or tour, and allow that it may run over by up to an hour.
LEVEL I: Generally scheduled for mornings or days with little tidal movement, or in protected areas and creeks. No experience necessary!
LEVEL II: May experience light wind (up to 8 kts), small waves (1'), or moderate current (1 kt) during the one-mile open river segment. Capsize and wet exit experience are strongly recommended.
Total program fee due at time of registration. Full registration fee is refundable minus 10% processing fee until 14 days before the event. From 14 days to 7 days before the event refund will be half of total, no refunds will be given after 7 days unless your spot fills. If your spot fills, you may have a full refund minus 10% processing fee. Rescheduling is encouraged.