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hood_river_columbia_gorge [2025/10/28 12:08] pstureavley |
hood_river_columbia_gorge [2026/04/13 12:45] (current) pstureavley |
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| - | <hidden onHidden="Click here to see descriptions of downwind runs" onVisible="Click here to hide these descriptions of downwind runs"> | ||
| <WRAP indent> | <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//).) | 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//).) | ||
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| ==== Stevenson to Hood River ==== | ==== Stevenson to Hood River ==== | ||
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| 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]]. | 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]]. | ||
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| + | <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> | <WRAP centeralign> | ||
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| {{ :gorge:photobook:swellcitybarge.jpg?direct&375x250 |swellcitybarge.jpg}}</WRAP> | {{ :gorge:photobook:swellcitybarge.jpg?direct&375x250 |swellcitybarge.jpg}}</WRAP> | ||
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| + | </hidden> | ||
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| + | </WRAP> | ||
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| ==== East of Hood River Event Site ==== | ==== East of Hood River Event Site ==== | ||
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| </WRAP> | </WRAP> | ||
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| + | <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"> | ||
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| - **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****Quesna County Park ****(OR)** (I-84 exit 151) 22.5 miles [[:far_east_gorge|fast downwind trip stats]] | + | - **take out ****Quesna County Park ****(OR)** (I-84 exit 151) 22.5 miles [[:far_east_gorge|fast downwind trip stats]] |
| - | </WRAP></WRAP> | + | </WRAP> |
| </hidden> | </hidden> | ||
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| ===== Octogenarian Downwinders ===== | ===== Octogenarian Downwinders ===== | ||
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| ==== Current Conditions and Forecasts ==== | ==== 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** | * **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://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) ]] |
| * **Immediate Forecasts from Knowledgeable Locals** | * **Immediate Forecasts from Knowledgeable Locals** | ||
| * [[https://thegorgeismygym.com/forecast/|The Gorge is My Gym]] A good forecasting site for surfskiing the Gorge. | * [[https://thegorgeismygym.com/forecast/|The Gorge is My Gym]] A good forecasting site for surfskiing the Gorge. | ||
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| //The old bridge at Hood River is scheduled to begin replacement with a new bridge in 2025 with completion projected for 2029.// | //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. | * 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)** | * **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.) | * **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.) | * **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. | * [[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. | ||
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| **Paddle Clothing** | **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. | * [[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?). | * [[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?). | ||
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| * **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. | * **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. | * **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://www.outriggerzone.com/dealers/ozonenorthwest/|Ozone Northwest – Waterwalker]] OCs/Surfskis | + | * [[https://www.outriggerzone.com/dealers/ozonenorthwest/|Ozone Northwest]] OCs/Surfskis |
| * **Epic, Kai Wa'a** Surfskis | * **Epic, Kai Wa'a** Surfskis | ||
| * Phone: office: (949) 633 9496 | * Phone: office: (949) 633 9496 | ||
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