Differences

This shows you the differences between two versions of the page.

--- hood_river_columbia_gorge [2025/09/01 13:58]
pstureavley
+++ hood_river_columbia_gorge [2026/07/13 10:59] (current)
pstureavley
@@ Line 48: / Line 48: @@
 <WRAP centeralign>
-{{:gorge:stevenson_hrmap.jpg?direct&600x136|stevenson_hrmap.jpg}}
+[[https://surfski.wiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=gorge:stevenson_hrmap.jpg|{{:gorge:stevenson_hrmap.jpg?direct&600x136|stevenson_hrmap.jpg}}]]
 map: Gorge Champs website click to enlarge
@@ Line 89: / Line 89: @@
 ----
-<hidden onHidden="Click here to see descriptions of downwind runs" onVisible="Click here to hide these descriptions of downwind runs">
 <WRAP indent>
-For another description of Gorge downwindera you can also check out Temira's [[https://thegorgeismygym.com/gorge-downwinding/|Guide to Gorge Downwinding]]. We don't necessarily agree with all of her opinions, but she does have some detail that we do not include below.
+For another description of Gorge downwinders you can also check out Temira's [[https://thegorgeismygym.com/gorge-downwinding/|Guide to Gorge Downwinding]]. We don't necessarily agree with all of her opinions, but she does have some detail that we do not include below.
-.
+<font inherit/inherit;;#ffffff;;inherit>.</font>
 All of the following descriptions assume the much **more common west wind that blows upriver**. Running counter to the river current, the west wind helps build up waves like a wind running counter to a [[:tidalrace:tidal_races|tide race]] current also does. (There are occasional winds from the east that allow runs in the opposite direction downriver - Gorge resident Carter Johnson reports that the east wind typically needs to be blowing at least 20 mph to make downstream downwinders worthwhile (//for surfskis//).)
@@ Line 103: / Line 101: @@
 ==== Stevenson to Hood River ====
+<WRAP indent>
 ----
 This stretch is about 18 - 19 miles. It is usually broken into smaller runs that people choose based on where the conditions they are looking for (stronger or milder) seem to be centered. The 13+ miles from Home Valley to Hood River is the traditional stretch for the [[http://www.gorgedownwindchamps.com/|Gorge Championship downwind race]].
+<hidden onHidden="Click here to see descriptions of west Gorge downwind runs" onVisible="Click here to hide these descriptions of west of Hood River downwind runs">
 <WRAP centeralign>
-{{:gorge:stevenson_hrmap.jpg?direct&700x159|stevenson_hrmap.jpg}}
+[[https://surfski.wiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=gorge:stevenson_hrmap.jpg|{{:gorge:stevenson_hrmap.jpg?direct&700x159|stevenson_hrmap.jpg}}]]
 map:[[http://www.gorgedownwindchamps.com/maps|Gorge]][[http://www.gorgedownwindchamps.com/maps| Champs Website]] click on map to enlarge
@@ Line 150: / Line 152: @@
 **Mouth of White Salmon River**
-{{:gorge:hoodriver:whitesalmon1.jpg?direct&300x165|whitesalmon1.jpg}}
+[[https://surfski.wiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=gorge:hoodriver:whitesalmon1.jpg|{{:gorge:hoodriver:whitesalmon1.jpg?direct&300x165|whitesalmon1.jpg}}]]
-**Hill Climb at White Salmon Takeout**{{:gorge:hoodriver:whitesalmon2.jpg?direct&300x146|whitesalmon2.jpg}}
+**Hill Climb at White Salmon Takeout** [[https://surfski.wiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=gorge:hoodriver:whitesalmon2.jpg|{{:gorge:hoodriver:whitesalmon2.jpg?direct&300x146|whitesalmon2.jpg}}]]
 photos: Paul Reavley
@@ Line 164: / Line 166: @@
 Barge going downriver against waves through the outside of Swell City - photo from Carter Johnson / Vortex Events
-{{  :gorge:photobook:swellcitybarge.jpg?direct&375x250  |swellcitybarge.jpg}}</WRAP>
+[[https://surfski.wiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=gorge:photobook:swellcitybarge.jpg|{{  :gorge:photobook:swellcitybarge.jpg?direct&375x250  |swellcitybarge.jpg}}]]</WRAP>
+</hidden>
+</WRAP>
 ----
 ==== East of Hood River Event Site ====
+<WRAP indent>
 ----
@@ Line 174: / Line 182: @@
 <WRAP centeralign>
-{{https://surfski.wiki//lib/plugins/ckgedit/fckeditor/userfiles/image/gorge/east_hr.jpg?direct&700x147|east_hr.jpg}}
+[[https://surfski.wiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?tok=4f1b7e&media=https://surfski.wiki//lib/plugins/ckgedit/fckeditor/userfiles/image/gorge/east_hr.jpg|{{https://surfski.wiki//lib/plugins/ckgedit/fckeditor/userfiles/image/gorge/east_hr.jpg?direct&700x147|east_hr.jpg}}]]
 map: [[https://cgw2.org/local-info/|Columbia Gorge Wind & Water Association]] launch sites - click on map to enlarge, [[:eastofhoodriver|view with full launch site key]] (but it does not include all of the reasonable launch sites for downwinders)
 </WRAP>
+<hidden onHidden="Click here to see descriptions of east Gorge downwind runs" onVisible="Click here to hide these descriptions of east of Hood River downwind runs">
 ----
@@ Line 253: / Line 263: @@
           - **alternate - Taylor Lake (OR)**  (I-84 exit 82) gravel road can be potholed (not good for low clearance vehicles). From small parking area → bridge over lake then asphalt paved trail leads to river.
       - **Rowena, OR - the Dalles, OR**  6 - 7 miles
-        - **put-in - ****Mayer State Park East **  (approx. mile 14) (I-84 exit 76) ($ pay/state pass for parking**) **- Take the Rowena exit (I-84 exit 76), then make a right after the bridge (and after the rail road). Continue to the park. Not considered the best put-in, slippery rocks and not a lot of protection from the wind (maybe a little better at the far east end?).
+        - **put-in - ****Mayer State Park East **  (approx. mile 14) (I-84 exit 76) ($ pay/state pass for parking**) **- Take the Rowena exit (I-84 exit 76), after the bridge and after the rail road
+          - **Better launch/takeout **option Turn left on Rowena River Rd. (becomes Mayer Park Rd.) continue on to large parking area and boat ramp at Salisbury Slough. The only reported issue with this protected inlet is that entry and exit between the river and the slough can get quite shallow depending on the river water level. Given the boat ramp there isn't it reasonable to assume there are passable channels? But we are not familiar with the depths of all routes into and out of the river at the slough.
+          - **Lousy launch/takeout**  option. Turn right on Rowena River Rd. - Continue to the large parking area. Not considered the best put-in, slippery rocks and not a lot of protection from the wind (maybe a little better at the far east end?).
         - **take-out**  - see take-outs above in Mosier, OR run description
   - <font inherit/inherit;;#e74c3c;;inherit>**The Dalles Dam**</font> (mile 24)
-  - **Celilo, OR - Rufus, OR **13 - 14 miles
+  - **Celilo, OR - Rufus, OR **11 - 12 miles
-      - **put-in Celilo Park**  (mile 34) (I-84 exit 97)
+      - **put-in Celilo Park**  (mile 34) (I-84 exit 97) turn left at end of exit ramp, go under the freeway and across the railroad tracks and you will be right at the park parking entrance. The park is a bit exposed to wind, if it's really windy you can go down to the downstream end of the parking lot where there is a boat ramp and a somewhat protected lagoon to launch from.
-      - waves are often better if you go on Washington side of Miller Island, but stay away from either shore particularly at upstream end of island to avoid shallows/rocks.
+      - waves are often better if you go on Washington side of Miller Island (going right of the island is at least 1/2 mile longer), but generally stay away from shores particularly at upstream end of island to avoid shallows/rocks. But going on the Washington side of the island we have gone close to the cliffs on our right as we go by the upstream end of the island right before heading back to midstream without any problems.
       - [[https://youtu.be/1KaWc2Mh6Vk|Video at Maryhill Bridge]]
       - OC1 Celilo - Rufus [[https://youtu.be/UaKUB65FoKk|Part 1]], [[https://youtu.be/-eArVp2Txcw|Part 2]], [[https://youtu.be/_QEKxjv_reE|Part 3]]
-      - **take ****out ****Rufus, OR**  (I-84 exit 109) kite/windsurfer launch off of Rock Beach Ln. (**Rufus Landing Recreation Area**)
+      - **take ****out ****Rufus, OR**  (I-84 exit 109)
-      - **Amayah's Cafe, Indian Curry & Kabab**  (near hghwy 97 bridge, just off of Biggs-Rufus hghwy) - meal stop after downwinder?
+        - Turn left on John Day Dam Rd. and go under I84
-      - [[https://youtu.be/oWdxY_5DHq0|Memories of Celilo Falls Video]]
+        - **somewhat rough access**  - turn left on Rock Beach Ln. and go to kite/windsurfer launch area (**Rufus Landing Recreation Area**)
+        - **better access **- continue on John Day Dam Rd. after it bends right going past the left turn for Rock Beach Ln. You will soon see a large parking area on your left for a boat ramp ("John Day Dam Road Boat Ramp") where you can park. This is exposed to the wind, but the landing and staging area is much better than the kite/windsurfer area just downstream.
+  - **Amayah's Cafe, Indian Curry & Kabab**  (near hghwy 97 bridge, just off of Biggs-Rufus hghwy) - meal stop after downwinder?
+  - [[https://youtu.be/oWdxY_5DHq0|Memories of Celilo Falls Video]]
   - <font inherit/inherit;;#e74c3c;;inherit>**John Day Dam**</font> (mile 49.5)
   - **Blalock Canyon Boat Ramp (OR) **  (mile 66) to …
-      - **put-in ****Blalock Canyon Boat Ramp (OR) **  (I-84 exit 129) take Blalock Canyon rd. under I-84, turn right on Blalock Port rd. - short distance to boat ramp. launch and take water passage to left under railroad out into the river.
+  - **put-in ****Blalock Canyon Boat Ramp (OR) **  (I-84 exit 129) take Blalock Canyon rd. under I-84, turn right on Blalock Port rd. - short distance to boat ramp. launch and take water passage to left under railroad out into the river.
-      - **take out Arlington (OR)**  (I-84 exit 137) 9-10 miles. The takeout is not very straight forward the first time you do it. Arlington is about 10 miles upriver and is visible by the grain silos (Pacific Grain/Port of Arlington). There is a rock jetty sticking out into the river and if it's really windy, there will be waves breaking into it, throwing huge spray and looking a little intimidating. You need to paddle around the jetty and then hook a hard right into the entrance to the lagoon. Continue paddling east, go right under the RR tracks and then up to a nice lawn area at the Arlington beach (Earl Snell Memorial Park). )
+  - **take out Arlington (OR)**  (I-84 exit 137) 9-10 miles. The takeout is not very straight forward the first time you do it. Arlington is about 10 miles upriver and is visible by the grain silos (Pacific Grain/Port of Arlington). There is a rock jetty sticking out into the river and if it's really windy, there will be waves breaking into it, throwing huge spray and looking a little intimidating. You need to paddle around the jetty and then hook a hard right into the entrance to the lagoon. Continue paddling east, go right under the RR tracks and then up to a nice lawn area at the Arlington beach (Earl Snell Memorial Park). )
-        - **Roosevelt Park Recreation Area (WA)**  From foiler on standupzone.com: " I hope you guys get to see Roosevelt on a good day. The river is really wide there (over a mile) and the wind and swell is super smooth. Even when the river is flowing fast elsewhere current is mellow there due to the width. On a great day it will blow your mind. Huge, long, and smooth swell. Arlington shares the same water but on the Oregon side. Roosevelt has a grassy park and a long stretch of flatwater before it swells up. It is a drive but its worth it."
+      - **Roosevelt Park Recreation Area (WA)**  From foiler on standupzone.com: " I hope you guys get to see Roosevelt on a good day. The river is really wide there (over a mile) and the wind and swell is super smooth. Even when the river is flowing fast elsewhere current is mellow there due to the width. On a great day it will blow your mind. Huge, long, and smooth swell. Arlington shares the same water but on the Oregon side. Roosevelt has a grassy park and a long stretch of flatwater before it swells up. It is a drive but its worth it."
-      - **take out** **[[:far_east_gorge|Quesna County Park ]]****(OR)**  (I-84 exit 151) 22.5 miles
+  - **take out ****Quesna County Park ****(OR)**  (I-84 exit 151) 22.5 miles [[:far_east_gorge|fast downwind trip stats]]
-</WRAP></WRAP>
+</WRAP>
 </hidden>
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 ----
+</WRAP>
+<font inherit/inherit;;#ffffff;;inherit>.</font>
+----
+</WRAP>
 ===== Octogenarian Downwinders =====
@@ Line 282: / Line 305: @@
 <WRAP indent>
-[[:more_barnacles#drano_80|Drano @ 80 Challenge]]
+  * [[:more_barnacles#drano_80|Drano @ 80 Challenge]]
+  * …
 </WRAP>
@@ Line 290: / Line 314: @@
 <WRAP centeralign>
-{{https://surfski.wiki//lib/plugins/ckgedit/fckeditor/userfiles/image/gorge/barnacles/top_of_trophy_2.jpeg?direct&180x255|top_of_trophy_2.jpeg}}
+[[https://surfski.wiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?tok=7da54a&media=https://surfski.wiki//lib/plugins/ckgedit/fckeditor/userfiles/image/gorge/barnacles/top_of_trophy_2.jpeg|{{https://surfski.wiki//lib/plugins/ckgedit/fckeditor/userfiles/image/gorge/barnacles/top_of_trophy_2.jpeg?direct&180x255|top_of_trophy_2.jpeg}}]]
 **Drano @ 80 Trophy**</WRAP>
@@ Line 367: / Line 391: @@
 ==== Current Conditions and Forecasts ====
-  * **Fire****Tracking**  many locals use the "Watch Duty" app to keep up with cuurent fires that may affect the Gorge. Available for iphone & Android
+  * **Fire****Tracking**  many locals use the "Watch Duty" app to keep up with current fires that may affect the Gorge. Available for iphone & Android
   * **River Flow and Temperature**
       * [[https://snoflo.org/report/flow/oregon/columbia-river-at-the-dalles/|River Flow From Dalles Dam]] (section from the Dalles down to Cascade Locks)
-      * [[https://www.watertemp.org/United-States/Oregon/Hood-River-County/Port-of-Hood-River-Marina-Park/|Water Temperature at Hood River]]
+      * [[https://seatemperature.net/lakes/water-temp-in-lake-celilo|Water Temperature at Lake Celilo (river above Dalles Dam) ]]
+  * **Water Quality ** [[https://www.theswimguide.org/find|WQ Tests Map]]
   * **Immediate Forecasts from Knowledgeable Locals**
       * [[https://thegorgeismygym.com/forecast/|The Gorge is My Gym]] A good forecasting site for surfskiing the Gorge.
@@ Line 438: / Line 463: @@
   * [[https://cgw2.org/|Columbia Gorge Wind & Water Association]] A not-for-profit 501©3 corporation serving the water enthusiasts of the Gorge. Their site has information on conditions, events, youth programs, etc.
+  * …
+{{ youtube>oT6Xd-L3F0U?medium }}
+<font inherit/inherit;;#ffffff;;inherit>.</font>
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@@ Line 534: / Line 564: @@
 <WRAP centeralign>
-{{:gorge:tentrescue.jpg?direct&300x400|tentrescue.jpg}}
+[[https://surfski.wiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=gorge:tentrescue.jpg|{{:gorge:tentrescue.jpg?direct&300x400|tentrescue.jpg}}]]
 **Camping? Make Sure You Stake or Weight Your Tent Securely **photo: Sue DeBari
@@ Line 597: / Line 627: @@
 //The old bridge at Hood River is scheduled to begin replacement with a new bridge in 2025 with completion projected for 2029.//
-<font inherit/inherit;;#e74c3c;;inherit>//As of April 1, 2025 the Hood River Bridge toll will be all electronic. Either get a Breezeby account or you will have to pay tolls online or via snail mail in a timely fashion or else be charged late payment fees. For passenger cars **Breezeby charges are typically only 50%** of any other payment method.//</font>
+<font inherit/inherit;;#e74c3c;;inherit>//As of April 1, 2025 the Hood River Bridge toll will be all electronic. Either get a Breezeby account or you will have to pay tolls online or via snail mail in a timely fashion (14 days) or else be charged late payment fees. For passenger cars **Breezeby charges are typically only 50%** of any other payment method.//</font>
   * Crossing between Oregon and Washington at Hood River (and downstream at the Cascade Locks bridge) there is a toll.
       * **Current Rates (various rates for Motorcycles and Commercial vehicles)**
         * **Hood River Bridge**  ([[https://www.portofhoodriver.com/toll-rates|current rates online]] - all vehicle types, trailers, etc.)
-          * **Passenger Car - 2025 - **  $1.75 BreezeBy, $3.50 otherwise
+          * **Passenger Car - 2026 - **  $1.75 BreezeBy, $3.50 otherwise
         * **Bridge of the Gods (Cascade Locks) **  ([[https://www.portofcascadelocks.org/bridge-of-the-gods|current rates online]] - all vehicle types, trailers, etc.)
-          * **Passenger Car****- 2025 -**  $3.00 pay as you go, $1.25 BreezeBy
+          * **Passenger ****Car****-**** 2026 -**  $3.00 pay as you go, $1.25 BreezeBy
       * [[https://csc.portofhoodriver.com/|BreezeBy accounts]] Set up an account and get an electronic sensor at the [[https://portofhoodriver.com/|Port of Hood River office]] just west of the bridge in Hood River (or you can create an account online). There is sometimes a small delay between setting up an account and getting your sensor - so you may save time by setting it up online and either picking up your sensor when you get there or having it mailed to you.
@@ Line 617: / Line 647: @@
 [[:rental|General Rental Advice]]
-  * [[https://www.gorgedownwindchamps.com/boat-rentals|Gorge Champs Rentals Page]] in 2023 Carter Johnson is offering some of his own surfskis for rent, and he has a list of contacts on the rental page who may have skis to rent. (do we even see a couple of OCs on Carter's list??)
+  * [[https://www.gorgedownwindchamps.com/boat-rentals|Gorge Champs Rentals Page]] list of contacts on the rental page who may have skis to rent.
   * The supply of local surfskis and dealers may fluctuate. Dealers do send trailers of surfskis for the Gorge Championships and if you work on this early enough (**long**  before the race) you may be able to reserve a rental surfski for Gorge Race Week from one of them. Such rental surfskis are often sold at a discount by the dealers after the race, so this can be a way to pick up a relatively new surfski at a discount. You may also want to check with the [[https://www.facebook.com/groups/HoodRiverOutrigger/?ref=group_header|Gorge Small Boat Group]] or [[https://groups.io/g/Whatcompaddlers|Whatcom Paddlers Discussion Group ]](both are easy to join) and ask them if they know of available surfskis or OCs…
   * …
 **Paddle Clothing**
-  * [[https://giantfish.us/|Giant Fish]] Portland, Oregon - high end, high quality lightweight/medium tops and bottoms, limestone neoprene. Small online company with products designed and dedicated for paddlers
+  * <del>[[https://giantfish.us/|Giant Fish]] Portland, Oregon</del>  - (<font inherit/inherit;;#e74c3c;;inherit>Out of Business Jan 2026</font>) high end, high quality lightweight/medium tops and bottoms, limestone neoprene. Small online company with products designed and dedicated for paddlers
   * [[https://immersionresearch.com/|Immersion Research]] White Salmon, WA. . They make their boating gear - whitewater oriented including paddle tops, pants, drysuits… local custom fitting may be an option for walk in customers.
   * [[http://www.wetsuit.com/|Promotion]] one of their bases is in Hood River where they have a large water windsport clientele. They make their gear onsite and have been known to quickly make custom versions of their water protection clothing on request if you visit their store and they can measure you. They also offer a large selection of deeply discounted factory second wetsuit gear at their store (if the reason for the discount is a cosmetic blemish - who cares, right?).
@@ Line 638: / Line 668: @@
   * **Epic - **Epic has important parts of its operation based nearby in Washington state. Also Kenny Howell (kenny.howell@epickayaks.com) may bring surfskis up from California for Gorge Champs rentals or demos at other times. Jimi Spoto (see below) is the local Epic dealer and may have Epics to demo/buy.
   * **Outrigger Zone - Jimi Spoto**  Can advise on boats, equipment, repair options, demos and keep an eye out for used boats for sale. Large OC & surfski sales/distributor for Pacific Northwest, located in Carson, WA.
-      * [[https://outriggerzone.com/dealers/waterwalker/|Ozone Northwest – Waterwalker]] OCs/Surfskis
+      * [[https://www.outriggerzone.com/dealers/ozonenorthwest/|Ozone Northwest]] OCs/Surfskis
         * **Epic, Kai Wa'a**  Surfskis
         * Phone: office: (949) 633 9496
         * [[jimi@outriggerzone.com|jimi@outriggerzone.com]]
-  * **Nelo USA, Nordic Kayak, Nalu OCs ** [[https://www.threeoceans.shop|Three Oceans Co]]**
+  * **Nelo USA, Nordic Kayak, Nalu OCs ** [[https://threeoceans.co/|Three Oceans Co]]**
  - **** Michele Eray & Maggie Hogan **are major distributors of these brands - based in the Gorge.
   * **Think ** [[http://daryl@thinkkayak.com|Daryl Remmler]] Vancouver, BC
@@ Line 655: / Line 685: @@
 <WRAP centeralign>
-{{  :gorge:hoodriver:denise_n_da_hood.jpg?direct&400x208  |Denise Weeks finishing an epic Viento run}}Denise Weeks 'n da Hood
+[[https://surfski.wiki/lib/exe/fetch.php?media=gorge:hoodriver:denise_n_da_hood.jpg|{{  :gorge:hoodriver:denise_n_da_hood.jpg?direct&400x208  |Denise Weeks finishing an epic Viento run}}]]Denise Weeks 'n da Hood
+----
 </WRAP>
+<font inherit/inherit;;#dddddd;;inherit>This page has been accessed for: Today: {{counter|today}} / Yesterday: {{counter|yesterday}} / Until now: {{counter|total}}</font>
+~~NOCACHE~~

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