Today, I really wanted to kayak someplace I hadn’t been. So, I chose a locale a little closer to me than so many of my other prospective paddling sites.
My kayaking adventure took place at Dexter Reservoir. It was a fairly fast drive for me as the route placed me on I-5 from Albany. There are 2 parks with boat ramps available to use and not being familiar with either one of them, I chose the Dexter State Recreation Site.
As I drove into the park, there were a lot of people. It turns out there is a frisbee golf field and it was very busy. Once I drove past and headed down to the boat ramp, there were only a few people and a few cars (thank goodness!). The boat ramp, as you can see above, is very wide and very easy to use.
You know, I’ve heard fellow kayakers talk about stressful conditions at a boat ramp when it is being used by others with boats. So, I want to share some helpful tips:
- ALWAYS stay on the side of the boat ramp where you are the furthest from the boat dock. Those who are loading and unloading boats need the dock so they can tie up their craft. If there are boat docks on both sides, look for the side that is used the least often. Usually you will find twigs, logs, rocks, leaves, etc.
- If the boat ramp is busy, quickly unload or load your craft and then move your vehicle right away. You can always securely tie down your kayak and carry gear to and from your vehicle by hand.
- Unless there is a sign posted limiting boat ramp use to just boats, please remember that you legally have just as much right to use it as anyone else. I have encountered a few drivers who have been a bit aggressive. Just stand your ground and finish doing what needs to be done. If someone wants to yell at or argue with you – just ignore them!
Ok, back to my adventure!
I had read information about Dexter Reservoir before I arrived. So, I knew it was basically a big round circle. So, as I left the boat ramp, I stayed to the right with intent to just circle all the way around. In future visits, I won’t do the same thing. Highway 58 closely borders the lake on the entire south side. It is a busy route and so I heard a lot of traffic noise that entire part of my journey. However, I still came across some fun things to look at.
It is so incredibly wonderful to find plants budding and blooming with Spring in the near future. I just loved looking at all of them. I’ll definitely be returning in a few months because I want to see how they have grown! The split tree in the middle picture shows the damage caused by the large ice storm we experienced beginning January 17, 2024. In fact, the damage caused by this storm seemed to be much worse in Eugene than in Albany. All along the interstate, highways, and roads there were hundreds of down trees. You could easily tell they just occurred, as shown in the picture, because the split wood is fresh. It was startling to see so much damage.
I digress! I continued along the south side of the lake and past all of the trees and bushes. I was kayaking straight ahead to the covered bridge. The majority of the distance on that side is just shrubs, with a rocky low embankment and cars and cars and cars. I’m telling you, don’t kayak on that side of the lake!
I finally reached the covered bridge. It is called the Lowell Covered Bridge. It was very cool to look at, both from the water and from land.
The bridge is no longer used for traffic, but has become an official tourist stop. The inside of the bridge has signage and information, but it was closed today. This bridge has been standing since 1945. Impressive! I think the parks department has done a really good job at maintaining its good condition and making it into a very informative and historic tourist marker.
It was fun kayaking under the bridge, checking out its condition and seeing just how it was constructed. From the other side of the covered bridge, I could see the dam on the east side of the lake. It is called Lookout Point Dam. I wanted to check it out, but I had already been out for awhile. Therefore, it is on my list to do next time.
At this point, I decided to head back. This time, I paddled along the north shore line. Nearly this entire side is populated with HUGE homes. I’m taking about million dollar homes, I’m sure. Most of them had their own boat docks, with boats, jet skis, kayaks, and miscellaneous floats. I was impressed for sure. I think the nice feature of all of the homes is that they aren’t sitting right on the water’s edge. They’re all built to face the lake, but they’re situated back from the water’s edge a bit.
As I began to reach the end of the north side, I came across the University of Oregon rowing team. They had been in their crafts practicing on the lake. I was able to sit and watch how they lift their boats out of the water and carry them to be stored away. I wish I had shown up about 20 minutes earlier as I would have seen a lot more!
I finally reached the furthest west point and the site of the other dam. This dam is simply called Dexter Dam. It was an interesting view. I could hear water traveling through the dam, but, of course, I couldn’t see the other side. The dam wasn’t picturesque to say the least. But, it does its job and that’s what is most important.
From this point, I paddled south to go back to the boat ramp. Besides the wildlife, covered bridge, and the enormous homes, I was equally, if not more impressed with the sky. There had been clouds all day and they were absolutely gorgeous.
I enjoyed my kayaking time, as always. But, some words of advice – don’t paddle along the south side. Instead, use the Lowell State Park boat ramp, located on the north side of the lake. And like my future self, paddle out to the furthest east side past the covered bridge. The circle I completed was just over 4 miles and still fun to paddle.
2024 – Kayak Trip #5
