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Sasquatch
Since 09 Mar 2005
2102 Posts
PNW
Bigfoot
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 Sun Aug 22, 10 10:13 pm |
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| unbob wrote: | Okay, what about RR water level at this time of year? Is this typically a "low", "high" or "medium" water level period?
Oh, and what about my earlier question re water depth near the RR beach - does it go overhead depth very quickly? Or is it possible to wade out in waist deep water for some distance - like maybe 100' or so? |
UNBOB: Think about it for a minute. Spring time, lots of rain, warmer temps, lots of snow melt. This equates to higher river levels as the dams are spilling a lot of water. High at Rooster implies little to no ground to launch, water up to the rip-wrap rock used for the embankment wall/up the stairs to VS willow lined beach trails flooded, but there might be some higher ground by the volleyball court or in the lagoon at the west end of sand island (east of the eastern stairs and hike for about 10 minuteas).
Medium water level is late spring and early summer. Launch might be right at the end of the willow trails. Probably is some sandy beach.
Low equals lots of sandy beach; probably 75 to 150 (maybe more) yards of beach from the willow bushes.
One can distinguish the shallow water from the deep water just by sight. One can see the shelf/ darker water. Dark water at the end of the shelf is the shipping channel. As far as wading out 100' from dry land. Rooster Rock "is like a box of chocolates"; never know what your going to get until you try and explore the expansive beach in late summer. . .head east. Lots of tasty treats to be found. And or try the launch at Bridal Veil (next exit east of Rooster), lots of shallow water up there in late summer and early fall.
The width and depth of the river also is affected by the tide. When it is flooding (coming in) the water level becomes a bit higher. Tide affects the river all the way up to Bonneville Dam.
And not sure where i read this, but some newbie thought they would try Rooster in the late afternoon and or evening (after work) for some sailing. Rooster can blow in the afternoon and or evening, but this is a very rare occurance. Usually when that happens, it is like a 95 degree August day and the wind tends to be relatively steady for Rooster standards. Rule of thumb is to get Rooster in the morning/noonish. And when Rooster starts to shut down, it usually does it pretty quickly.
My 5 cents worth. Hope it helps. |
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unbob
Since 31 Aug 2008
260 Posts
'da Gorge/LaV
Obsessed
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| Mon Aug 23, 10 6:39 am |
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Yo Sasquatch - awesome post!
Good info! My question re the water level this time of year was based on my ignorance of that subject below the last Columbia River dam. I'm always WSing/KBing further up the river above Bonneville dam.
I've always tended to think of water level below Bonneville as being in a "different world" unaffected (or at least minimal affect) by up river dam operations and spring runoff, etc. And, of course, all water below Bonneville subject to tidal action whereas above Bonneville not affected by tides.
Your post increased my understanding immensely! Muchas gracias! |
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unbob
Since 31 Aug 2008
260 Posts
'da Gorge/LaV
Obsessed
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| Mon Aug 23, 10 6:44 am |
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| Sasquatch wrote: | | And or try the launch at Bridal Veil (next exit east of Rooster), lots of shallow water up there in late summer and early fall. |
Looking at the map - that would be I-84 exit 28 - correct? RR is exit 25. |
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Sasquatch
Since 09 Mar 2005
2102 Posts
PNW
Bigfoot
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| Mon Aug 23, 10 7:04 am |
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| unbob wrote: | | Sasquatch wrote: | | And or try the launch at Bridal Veil (next exit east of Rooster), lots of shallow water up there in late summer and early fall. |
Looking at the map - that would be I-84 exit 28 - correct? RR is exit 25. |
[/url]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pEv58N97aA[url]
It is on the corner of get a map and f*ck off". I'm a kiteboarder not a tour guide. Figure it out yourself. 
Just messing with you.
It is the bridal veil exit. Just look at the map. Park south of the exit in a grassy field or along the ancillary road. . . walk over the overpass and head down to the river from the on-ramp for i-84 west. If I recall there is no egress/on-ramp for i-84 east at this exit.[/url] |
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unbob
Since 31 Aug 2008
260 Posts
'da Gorge/LaV
Obsessed
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| Mon Aug 23, 10 7:18 am |
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Okeydokey - that explains exit 28 - how about exit 29? What's the deal there? Looks like there's a road leading to the river's edge?
Update - okay, that's Dalton Point - checked it out - no beach - only boat launch ramp. Looks doable for KB launch due to shallow water - but certainly not ideal. Crossed off my list of desirable KBing sites.
Last edited by unbob on Wed Aug 25, 10 7:38 am; edited 1 time in total |
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unbob
Since 31 Aug 2008
260 Posts
'da Gorge/LaV
Obsessed
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| Mon Aug 23, 10 7:23 am |
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| Sasquatch wrote: | | It is the bridal veil exit. Just look at the map. Park south of the exit in a grassy field or along the ancillary road. . . walk over the overpass and head down to the river from the on-ramp for i-84 west. If I recall there is no egress/on-ramp for i-84 east at this exit.[/url] |
Sorry, that doesn't work for me. I live in my van (down by the river) and there's no way I'll park and leave my home and everything I own in a "grassy field" next to I-84 for some dirtbag to rip-off! Been there - done that! |
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riverkwai
Since 16 Sep 2009
5 Posts
Kook
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| Tue Aug 24, 10 9:58 pm |
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| Monkeyboy why would you tell a beginner who is simply trying to get some good advice on where to go AS a beginner to go to Stevenson? WTF is wrong with you?? It'd be hilarious if they actually went and smashed their skull on the rocks! You're a funny guy monkeyboy but some new kiter just might think you're serious and take your advice and end up in a situation they aren't even close to ready for! Not so funny! |
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tonyb
Since 09 Oct 2006
973 Posts
Stevenson in the summer & SPI in the winter
Bolstad Clan
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| Wed Aug 25, 10 8:08 am |
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Contrary to popular opinion Stevenson is actually an ok spot for COMPETENT beginners to kite. As long as you can launch and land your kite smoothly, know how to self rescue, relaunch your kite from deep water, and can body drag any direction at will you can kite Stevenson. You can have ZERO board riding skills and do just fine at Stevenson if you have the other skills.
Don't try it on a crowded weekend, don't go out when it's blowing more than 25mph, don't ride easterlies and don't try it if the wind is coming out of the nw at all. (too swirly around the tree and launches get sketchy for sure). Have someone who is experienced at Stevenson hold your harness the very first time you launch just to make sure you do it right.
Stevenson has numerous get out spots that aren't that bad. I've personally self rescued and gotten out at all of the following places: (from west to east), beach at Cascade Locks, Rock Creek bridge at the fairgrounds, houses by the RR tracks, Bob's beach, halfway between the pier and the big rock, upwind of the big rock, normal launch spot, 50 yards downwind of the big rock, the boat launch, the other side of the boat launch, way the hell down past the boat launch, 1/2 way to the cemetery, 3/4 of the way to the cemetery, the cemetery, and "where in the hell am I somewhere between Stevenson and Home Valley". It's not a big deal.
What's the worst that can happen on the Columbia? You might have to swim HALF WAY across the river! Sure, some spots are wider than others but you'll still make it to shore! There are no 100% "offshore" winds in the gorge - you'll always blow in to something.
and lastly...
Not picking on Unbob or others but beginners shouldn't worry so much about kiting in shallow water where you can touch. It's actually safer to be out in deep water and once you figure out how to relaunch your kite it shouldn't matter if you can touch bottom or not. A beach is nice for doing the walk of shame but don't stress if it drops off to deep water right away.
And I'm ALWAYS happy to spend the time to answer questions at Stevenson and walk someone through their first experience there. Like someone said though, part of Stevenson is to launch or land a few kites in return for someone launching you. And keep those lines rolled up!
Tony |
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Dern
Since 11 Jul 2010
545 Posts
Vancouver, WA
Addicted
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| Wed Aug 25, 10 10:08 pm |
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| tonyb wrote: | beginners shouldn't worry so much about kiting in shallow water where you can touch. It's actually safer to be out in deep water and once you figure out how to relaunch your kite it shouldn't matter if you can touch bottom or not. A beach is nice for doing the walk of shame but don't stress if it drops off to deep water right away.
Tony |
I agree-
Trying to stay in shallow areas where I could keep one foot on the ground was a crutch for my water starts. Soon as I tried in deep water it was much easier. |
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