Calendar

Past Activity

North Fork Siuslaw River

  • Start date: 04/15/2023

  • Start time: 12:00 AM

  • End date: 04/15/2023

  • End time: 11:59 PM

Description:

This is a beautiful, flatwater tidal paddling trip between the marina in Old Town Florence (43.9681381,-124.1015504) and Bender Landing Park (44.003981, -124.071023) on North Fork Road. The trip is suitable for kayaks or canoes (recreational kayaks are fine—sea kayaks are nice but not necessary). Trip difficulty is no more than moderate, and depends mainly on distance. High tide is around 9:15am, low tide around 4:20pm. From the marina to the park is just under 5 miles one-way.

We have the option of (easiest) a one-way trip (with a shuttle) from the park to the marina (paddling with the ebb tide the whole way); or (moderate difficulty due to distance and paddling against the tide halfway) paddling from the marina to the park and back.

Other easier options include a shorter out-and-back from either the marina or the park. We can discuss and decide on an option based on the group's experience and/or desires (I'm flexible!). If it's very windy, we can paddle the protected waters of the North Fork Siuslaw from Bender Landing Park and avoid the main river near Florence. Post-paddle if anyone is up for it we can head into Old Town Florence for a late lunch/early dinner before heading back to Eugene.

  • Event Leader: Wilkinson Scott

  • Assistant Leader:

  • Event category: Trips

  • Area Type: Coastal

  • Departure Location: Eugene Target, W11th, parking lot closest to W11th

  • Rating: Moderate

  • Roundtrip total drive miles: 125

  • Season: 2023

  • Permits Required:

  • Event Status: Passed

  • Supplies and Equipment Required: Kayak or canoe, paddle, life jacket, and a paddle/spray/rain jacket and safety whistle. Neoprene paddling shoes or booties are nice, or water sandals if your feet don't get cold easily. Being the Oregon Coast the weather can be highly variable, from windy, raining and cold to calm, sunny and warm. Water-resistant binoculars are nice for birding or to look at seals; a dry bag is helpful for your phone and other items. Bring food, snacks and water for 2-4 hours on the water. If it's cool a thermos with something hot is nice. A bailing sponge is helpful to have if any water splashes into your boat. Feel free to contact me with any questions.

  • participant prerequisites:

  • Conditions:

  • Total Distance:

  • Member Fees: —

  • Elevation Gain:

  • Non-Member Fees: 5

  • Committee: Trips

  • Junior member fees: —

Trip Report

Andy Mcivor and I met Saturday morning (4/15) at the Target parking lot on West 11th. We put his boat on my car and drove to the Old Town Florence waterfront. (Note: $2 fee to park by the boat ramp there.) We put in around 11am and paddled upstream on the main Siuslaw River toward the 126 bridge at the mouth of the North Fork Siuslaw, where we headed up the North Fork.

The weather wasn't sunny as we hoped, but tolerable (overcast and around 50 degrees with mostly calm winds). Both of us were in sea kayaks. We paddled about 2.5 miles up the North Fork—and turned around before reaching Bender Landing Park. We paddled against the ebb tide on the first leg, but the current was minimal and we still made good progress.

On our way back to the marina, a harbor seal tagged along with us in the main Siuslaw. For some reason it was really interested in Andy's kayak, and several times nosed the back of his boat—much to my amusement. We also had fun watching an osprey dive at fish repeatedly nearby.

It was a good paddle—we went 7.32 miles in 2hrs 34mins.

Members & Guests signed-up & waitlisted

  • Number of spots on trip: 12
  • Number of spots available: 10
No. Status Full name Phone Transportation Needed? Trip Fee # Can Take?
1 Signed-Up Wilkinson, Scott 717-968-0274 N —
2 Signed-Up McIvor, Andrew 503-475-3039 N —