Columbia River to Priest Rapids Dam?

[Retirement Dream]

I see lots of posts for boating the Columbia River down below The Dalles. I have a couple of questions about boating the upper portions of the Columbia/Snake Rivers.

First, if I launch in the Snake at Lewiston, ID and go all the way to the Pacific Ocean, about how long (give or take a few days) should I plan on that taking? I'll be in a R27 and not in a big hurry.

Second question, is diesel readily available on the Columbia? I don't mind having to walk inland a block or two to a gas station if the marina doesn't have diesel, but walking/carrying any reasonable amount of diesel much further than that isn't practical at my age.

Last, when I get to Kennewick, the Columbia "branches off" up to Priest River Dam. Is that stretch of the river worth the extra time it would take to leisurely boat it?

Thanks,
Scott

 

[Lenny and Louise]

Greetings Scott,

We live in Vancouver, WA and boat from Portland, OR. In the Spring of 2016, we launched our R25 in Clarkston (across the river from Lewiston) and transited to Portland in about three weeks. I’ll give you some highlights and invite you to send PM if you want more details.

There is no recreational diesel on the Snake. Folks in that area either fish or water ski and in either case use gas engines. If you start full in Lewiston you should make Kennewick without undo damage to your nervous system.

Kennewick is a great town. Enterprise will pick you up at the marina for provisioning and laundry. Three restaurants in walking distance, two of which are excellent. Marina office closes at 4:00PM or 5:00 PM; if you call ahead they will leave restroom code and welcome bag on your power pedestal. Fuel is 24 hour self-serve with credit card.

There are several fuel stops on the Columbia. Arlington has new and good order fuel dock. Valve on nozzle did not close completely, so have someone attend switch at pump and have “diapers” ready to put around nozzle when done. (This may be fixed by now.)

Lockmasters are really helpful, and a couple of them remarked on having cruising style tug come through instead of sportfishing boats. They call ahead to let next lock know you are coming, check weather at the next lock, and are very helpful. So are the commercial tugs.

The lockmasters are pretty closely tied to the published schedule of recreational movements during the summer. However, we did get to go down an hour early at one lock. The lock was full and had to be “turned around” for an upbound tow. The lockmaster was kind enough to let us ride it down.

Watch the wind. Available weather reports are prepared for towns and roads along the route and understate winds on the river itself.

About 8 miles upriver from Kennewick is the site of the old Hartford nuclear plant. Great care is needed to get there, and above that the river would be a real challenge to our type of boat. You would certainly want good maps or local knowledge. NOAA charts stop at Hanford.

ActiveCaptain is pretty detailed for the route we took. Have a look at that and/or send us PM.

 

[REO6205]

Watch out for the windsurfers near Hood River. Some of them take great pleasure in seeing how close to your boat they can come before shearing off.
WAFIs