Join Willamette Riverkeeper for a fascinating and rare opportunity to admire Portland's iconic bridges and huge ships from a unique perspective, while learning more about historic riverside industries, and today's Superfund challenges.
WHERE & WHEN: Launching from the Hawthorne Dock, we will paddle 7.5 miles downstream, passing under eight historic bridges (including the Hawthorne, Morrison, Burnside, Steel, Broadway, Fremont, Union Pacific Railroad and St. Johns Bridge), ending our trip at Cathedral Park.
Meet in the parking lot next to the River East Center on SE Water Ave & Clay St. at 9:30 AM. Participants should be comfortable paddling for 2-3 hours in current. There are no restrooms available along this stretch. Dress appropriately for cold and wet weather (Bring hats, gloves, pack a spare set of dry clothes and extra warm layers! We will have extra dry bags on hand.). Be smart about how you equip your feet: thick wool or fleece socks and warm rubber/waterproof boots are a good idea. Also bring water, snacks, lunch, a hot drink and perhaps your camera. We plan to launch at 10AM and reach our takeout between 1:30 and 2 PM.
SHUTTLE: UPDATE: All spaces have been claimed in the Willamette Riverkeeper shuttle. If you did not reserve a space, participants will have to run their own shuttle by leaving a car at Cathedral Park Saturday morning and meeting the group at River East Center at 9:30 AM.
Willamette Riverkeeper is offering a free limited shuttle service from where we get off the water at Cathedral Park, back to the River East Building parking lot where the trip began. To join this shuttle, you must reserve a seat in advance through this registration. As space is limited, please do let us know if your plans on our shuttle change. The shuttle can take approximately 25-40 minutes (one way) and participants are required to wear a mask for the duration of this trip.
**We encourage participants to make their own shuttle arrangements as well.
NEED A BOAT? Willamette Riverkeeper has 6 tandem canoes available for this event. You must book your canoe in advance through this registration and recruit your own paddling partner.
COVID: Masks must be worn at all times prior to getting on the water, as well as at the takeout. Masks however, cannot be worn on the water as this poses a safety hazard. All participants riding in our shuttle are required to keep their mask on for the duration of the trip.
QUESTIONS? Reach out to event coordinator, Amanda at [email protected]
