Paddle the Lower Clackamas (Barton to Riverside)

Beat the heat, and chill out with us in the heat of summer, and find your zen paddling your own boat! Plus you can meet other people who are into medicine and get out into nature (my favorite kind of people!)

Bring your own craft. Some river/ paddling experience highly recommended.

We'll paddle the Lower Clack. The best boat for this is an inflatable SUP. I strongly recommend you sit down on the rapids if that's what you bring. I also don't recommend a hard SUP, especially a fiberglass one.

You can bring a kayak instead, prefferably a sit on top or inflatable. They are safer and easier to get in and out of the water than an enclosed boat.

Inner tubes not recommended for this run, as we will need to move more quickly. It is going to be 5-6 hours of river time even on faster crafts.

Don't worry about having to socialize the entire time. Having separate boats give you much more of a chance to drift off with your own thoughts. That happens a lot on this trip.

The Run:

This section of the Lower Clackamas, Barton to Riverside, is twice as long as the Barton to Carver run. Between Barton and Carver we'll see tons of boats and innertubes. Carver to Riverside will be far less crowded. We'll have the river to ourselves a lot of the time.

This is one of my absolute favorite ways to spend a hot summer day, especially when I'm not out in the woods.

We'll meet at Clackamas Town Center max station parking lot. From there we'll carpool down and set shuttle. You can take the green Max line to Clackamas TC. Please comment if you're planning on dirving and you're willing to set shuttle.

You may have floated Barton to Carver, and those that wish to do that can. You would have to set your own shuttle at Carver, and deal with the zoo there. Riverside is farther downstream from Carver.

Bring snacks and things. We have gear bags to put stuff in and can stop at a few spots along the way.

No speakers, please!

Please bring your own craft, including a paddle and a PFD. Helmet strongly recommended, especially for SUPs. I do have extra PFDs and helmets if you need.

It would help if you have whitewater experience no matter what you're paddling, but that holds especially true for those who plan on SUPping.

If you need to rent a boat and gear, please rent one beforehand. We had a relationship with Next Adventure (closed) and still have one with Clackamas River Outfitters, but they are out in Estacada. If you're in town, Alder Creek might be the best place to get something.

If you show up at 1:00, need a boat, and haven't communicated that to me, there's a good chance you won't be able to go with us. Also let me know if you need other gear, particularly a helmet or PFD.

Feel free to DM me or ask any questions you have or post them in the thread.