Yes indeed, we’re in the middle of a significant heat wave with temperatures over 100 degrees for the next 4 days. However, that doesn’t stop an avid kayaker, such as myself! Today’s journey led myself and a kayaking companion to set off for Estacada Lake around 7:15am this morning! We were on the water at 8:30am dressed in shorts and tank tops because you could already feel the heat of the day arriving.
Estacada Lake was absolutely beautiful! It is, by far, one of my favorite places to explore. If you haven’t taken the time to check it out, you need to and I’m hoping by the end of this blog post that I will have convinced you strongly!
Estacada Lake is a section of the Clackamas River situated between the Faraday Power Plant (formerly known as the Cazadero Dam) and the River Mill Dam. Both of these structures help provide “green power” for Oregon. It is named Estacada because it resides within the town of Estacada. You can travel to Estacada Lake via Highway 211 from the south or 205 from the north.
OK! You’re saying! Let’s get on with the sights! OK!
During the summer months, there are two different locations to enter the water. One is called Timber Park and directly across the water is Milo McIver State Park. Personally, I prefer Milo McIver because it is so much nicer! It also has a kayak rack which is really nice to use during the winter months so you can keep your feet dry. There is a $5 fee at Milo McIver and Timber Park has no fee this year, but they are going to start charging next year (2025).
One of the things I love the most about Estacada Lake is just how green and beautiful it is the entire distance! I’m always amazed. Four years ago, this area was seriously affected by a wildfire and each year I have seen the vegetation slowly recover. And today, except for the burnt tooth picks (trees), you can hardly tell! It’s just gorgeous!
In the two photos above, you can see the trees which were affected by the wildfire. But the ground cover has really started to grow and it’s so GREEN – fluorescent green! When I see displays like this in nature, I’m always amazed at just how quickly “mother nature” recovers from devastation! It’s just amazing!
You don’t have to paddle very long before you come to a beautiful waterfall. The water is falling from Dubois Creek. I was able to find the name of its origin, but no other information. Again, the amount of water varies depending on the time of year. It was probably about half as much water today as I saw last year in October, but pretty nonetheless! There is a large sand area and it is a very popular stoppage point for other kayakers and paddle boarders.
Because we had arrived so early this morning, we saw only a few other kayakers and once we got to the Clackamas River Bridge, we were pretty much alone. And that has been true nearly 100% of the time that I have kayaked at Estacada Lake. I’m not sure why folks turn around at the bridge, but don’t stop there folks! Just keep going and you’ll see why in a minute.
Anyway, the Clackamas River Bridge is Hwy 211 leading into Estacada. It is one of the most beautiful bridges I have ever seen. The best way to photograph the bridge is to wait until you turn around and head back. This way, the sun is helping your picture. Well, by the time we turned around today, there were just too many people under the bridge. So, this is a picture I took during a trip last year and still one of my personal favorites!
I just love everything about this photo!
As always, no matter where I’m kayaking, I love to check out the vegetation and what’s “wild” and yet growing so beautifully. Well, today, it was these beautiful white flowers and the second photo – of course, Sweet Peas. I took close up photos of each, but there were hundreds. I just think they’re both so stunning!
I love how wildflowers grow so easily all around us and help to spread happiness and cheer!!!
So, as always, the furthest point reached is when you arrive at the Faraday Power Plant. It is during the summer months when the water level is lower and not moving so quickly that you are able to kayak around a large area of rocks, and paddle just past the power plant, which I think looks like a large dam. I always kayak up just as far as I can go. The Clackamas River kind of divides here and the main part is on the other side of the rocks. It is absolutely gorgeous here and definitely one of my favorite kayak spots!
During the winter months, you can’t normally kayak up this far because the current is just too strong. I know I’ve said this at least one other time, but this is where I could just sit with a good book and a Diet Pepsi for hours and be quite content!
As we walked back to our kayaks to begin our return journey, a little crawdad made his appearance. I’m fairly certain he was wishing us well.
It is 2.5 miles to this spot. So, if you kayak to here and then back, that’s a 5-mile paddle on flat water! Not bad!
When you’re looking at the above picture, to the left, just on the other side of the power plant, there is a wonderful waterfall. The water is coming from Faraday Lake. Earlier in the year there is a lot more water coming downward, but it’s impressive anyway.
The last couple of years when I’ve kayaked here, there’s never been any debris in the water. However, today there were some broken branches – big ones. However, you can still do what you must – kayak right next to the waterfall and get sprinkled upon! Perfect!!!! It’s just one of those things you’re required to do!
We began our return. Now, remember, it’s 4th of July weekend and today’s forecast is 100 degrees.
As we approached the Clackamas Bridge, we began seeing other kayakers and those on paddle boards. Not one or two people – a dozen or two. And then it was two or three dozen. And then, it was 20-30 people. By the time we returned to the boat dock, we guessed we had counted around 100 other water flotation devices (some of which had two or three people in or on them).
When we had returned, it was just before 12pm. Can you imagine how many more people there were going to be in or on the water in the next couple of hours. Thank goodness for a kayaking companion who gets up early!
If you haven’t visited Estacada Lake – go do so! Go early in the day. Park at Milo McIver State Park. Mostly, have fun and take lots of pictures!
2024 – Kayak Trip #30
