Columbia River Cruise

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Delfin

Delfin

Grand Vizier
Joined
Jan 20, 2010
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3,821
I'd like to hear from other forumites with experience going up/down the Columbia/Snake River to Clarkston on the boarder with Idaho. From the charts, it looks like minimum clearance is 39 feet, which is fine, but I can't find much info on currents, marinas, etc.

So, what say you, is this an interesting cruise, any depth issues, are marinas along the way, is anchoring some places needed, can you go beyond Clarkston? We love the area and it looks like it might be fun, but would really appreciate expert advice.

Much obliged.
 
Delfin -

That is a trip I've always wanted to do, too! Back in the late '90s I made a VHS cruising guide to the Lower Columbia River (Astoria to Bonneville Dam) and intended to make a second video of the rivers up to Idaho. Alas, moved up here and haven't been back on the river since. It is important, especially in the lower Columbia, to stay in marked channels. The sandbars are constantly shifting outside of the channels, and even experienced locals can get caught.

Have you read Tony Fleming's article and video on cruising Venture to Idaho? While those were pretty good, I recently found his blog entries on that trip and they are WAY more thorough. Tons of great info (including currents, anchorages, and marinas) in a four-part series:

Fleming Yachts - Tony's Adventures

I learned to sail on the Columbia out of Portland and had a couple sailboats there. It's definitely a different type of cruising. Dare I say "narrower" in scope? LOL! It can be quite lovely, though I wonder what the once-beautiful Columbia River Gorge looks like after last year's fires...
 
Pairadice and ASD are planning this trip this summer. We hope to be leaving early May from the Portland area and returning end of June.
We will start another thread as we get a bit closer to departure, sorta like we did last year for the Alaska trip. The wifi should be a lot better this time.
The admiral and I are leaving the “Dirt House” in a week. We are so looking forward to getting back on the water!
Hope to meet up with several “TF’ers” along the way.

Cheers!
 
Can't help with the OP's original questions but we did that trip (including going up the Snake in jet boats) several years ago on a Lindblad Expedition ship. Definitely an interesting trip to do.
 
Moonfish said:
Delfin -

That is a trip I've always wanted to do, too! Back in the late '90s I made a VHS cruising guide to the Lower Columbia River (Astoria to Bonneville Dam) and intended to make a second video of the rivers up to Idaho. Alas, moved up here and haven't been back on the river since. It is important, especially in the lower Columbia, to stay in marked channels. The sandbars are constantly shifting outside of the channels, and even experienced locals can get caught.

Have you read Tony Fleming's article and video on cruising Venture to Idaho? While those were pretty good, I recently found his blog entries on that trip and they are WAY more thorough. Tons of great info (including currents, anchorages, and marinas) in a four-part series:

Fleming Yachts - Tony's Adventures

I learned to sail on the Columbia out of Portland and had a couple sailboats there. It's definitely a different type of cruising. Dare I say "narrower" in scope? LOL! It can be quite lovely, though I wonder what the once-beautiful Columbia River Gorge looks like after last year's fires...
Click to expand...

Thanks Darren! I'll go over Tony's logs - they sound very helpful.
 
Will be following this thread with intense interest. We'd like to do the length of Oregon on the Columbia in our Albin-25 maybe in 2019. Grandkids in Portland would be included in the crew for part of the adventure. We'll tow the boat from Illinois.
 
Delfin, We did it last summer at the end of July all the way to Clarkston from Portland. We went up to Kennewick in 2015 for the Hydro races. Last summer the current was still high from the runoff. The Snake from the Columbia to Ice Harbar dam was really really running fast. It was like a never ending pass up north for going against the current in a fairly narrow channel. We had a great time and will do it again after we have done a couple of trips up to the sound again. The main thing is to plan your lock times with your destination in the evening as ther are not a lot of places to duck out of the river in some stretches. Also stay in the channels on the Snake. One area we were going through showed 20+' on the chart but the bottom came up quick. We looked at the notes, it said shoaling noted 1977 on the current chart ?. Let me know if you need any info.
 
1. What are the typical head currents heading upstream?

2. How fast of a boat do you need to realistically do this trip?

3. Is diesel available on the way?
 
Cue up several threads by GFC on this forum. I'm surprised he hasn't responded yet, but then again he was about to cruise his boat down to Portland....
 
Sounds like we need to get a flotilla together and make the trip. We too are interested in that trip.
 
Depending on the time of the year, it can get windy with steep chop. We had water over the flybridge of a Tolly 45 coming down past Hood River. Never happened to us out in the ocean. For a 45+ foot boat there are not many places to get off the river and out of the wind once past the Gorge.

Channel depth is 43' to Portland and 20' above. The Columbia is free flowing below the Bonneville dam (about 140 miles up). There is tidal action all the way up to Bonneville. In a slow boat one would travel with the tides. Above Bonneville, the Columbia is mostly a series of lakes. Make sure you cross the Columbia bar at high slack, then it is usually a non-event.

If you are used to the Lake Union locks, you'll be impressed by the Columbia locks. Definitely not your French canals cruise.

Personally, I think the best cruising is on the lower Columbia and through the Gorge up to The Dalles.
 
Last edited:
kpoling said:
Delfin, We did it last summer at the end of July all the way to Clarkston from Portland. We went up to Kennewick in 2015 for the Hydro races. Last summer the current was still high from the runoff. The Snake from the Columbia to Ice Harbar dam was really really running fast. It was like a never ending pass up north for going against the current in a fairly narrow channel. We had a great time and will do it again after we have done a couple of trips up to the sound again. The main thing is to plan your lock times with your destination in the evening as ther are not a lot of places to duck out of the river in some stretches. Also stay in the channels on the Snake. One area we were going through showed 20+' on the chart but the bottom came up quick. We looked at the notes, it said shoaling noted 1977 on the current chart ?. Let me know if you need any info.
Click to expand...

At 7.5', we might be more challenged that other vessels. What do you think? Also, are their places one can anchor? I assume that if you are out of the main current, you have very shallow water, true? Finally, what would you estimate the maximum speed of the current is?
 
Hi all, sorry I didn't get to this thread before now. We're in AZ, got here Thursday evening and have been busier than all get out showing some friends around town.


I've made the trip from Portland to the Tri Cities (235 miles) three times and enjoyed it every time. On one trip downriver to Umatilla, Or we ran into some hellatious winds and ended up turning around. Watch the video I linked to below, then watch #2, #3, and #4 when they come up. That will give you an idea of why we turned around.




Now, having shown you those I will say those conditions are unusual. Most of the time the wind blows, but not like that.
Flywright asked some pertinent questions and I'll answer them below.....
1. What are the typical head currents heading upstream?
--most of the way you will find 2-3kt currents. Obviously they push you going downstream and push against you when you are headed upstream. I've seen currents as high as 4.5kts on the Columbia and up to 10kts on the lower Snake below Ice Harbor Dam. That only happens in early spring when the runoff is high.
2. How fast of a boat do you need to realistically do this trip?
---I would want to be able to do about 15-17kts if you're doing the trip in the early spring. Otherwise 10kts would be fine.
3. Is diesel available on the way?
---Yes. Many places on the Columbia have diesel and a few on the Snake. You have to be more aware of your fuel levels on the Snake.


If you have any specific questions, ask away. We'll be here until 4/12 then headed home and plan to leave 4/13 for Portland.
 
Delfin said:
At 7.5', we might be more challenged that other vessels. What do you think? Also, are their places one can anchor? I assume that if you are out of the main current, you have very shallow water, true? Finally, what would you estimate the maximum speed of the current is?
Click to expand...


Carl.
We took Volunteer up the Columbia and Snake rivers a number of years ago, Diesel isn't a issue.. especially for you. The current can be a bitch until you lock through at Bonneville, after that its just the wind.
I spent a number of hours with the throttle to the wall to go a couple miles.. most times showing .01 kt trying to get up the last stretch below Bonneville in May.
In my 20,000+ offshore miles it was the most harrowing thing I have done in a boat. It can flow over 500,000 cubic feet per second and its a couple hundred yards wide and max of about 35' in the center of the channel at that point.

We had a draft of 6' and never had an issue.. but anchoring can be interesting as holding can be hit and miss.
We towed our comp ski boat with Volunteer on a lot of the trip and spent the entire summer going over for long weekends and a few 10 day stretches.
AC really helps as it gets rather warm and nights can be buggy and uncomfortable.
The locks are for the most part not too big of a problem unless its windy.. and the lock tenders seem to be less enthusiastic dealing with recreational vessels vs commercial vessels.
We had a grand time at Yacht clubs in Portland and the Tri Cities..
You will really enjoy the folks at the Clover Island Yacht Club, they are our kind of people :)
We plan on doing the rivers again, probably on a boat that can cruise a bit faster than we did the first time.
A good part of the trip will be in water that looks like this
PM me if you need more info
HOLLYWOOD
 

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hollywood8118 said:
We had a grand time at Yacht clubs in Portland and the Tri Cities..
You will really enjoy the folks at the Clover Island Yacht Club, they are our kind of people :)
HOLLYWOOD
Click to expand...
Hollywood, thanks for the Kudos for our yacht club. We have gained a reputation for being a VERY welcoming and VERY friendly club, and we work hard to maintain that rep.

Reciprocal moorage is always open to visitors from other clubs and if you're there on a Friday night you're welcome to join us for our Friday Night Potluck. If you happen to be there when we're having a party, which is about monthly in the summer months, you're also welcome to join us for that. Parties usually have a theme, a band and are a LOT of fun.

Our St. Paddy's party had about 180 people attend. It started with a BYO Happy Hour, followed by a Bagpipe and drum band performance which was followed by a corned beef and cabbage dinner then casino night.
 
This is going to be an interesting trip for Pairadice and ASD. Summer time fun again....
 
So far, everyone is cruising both ways, upstream and down. Our Albin-25, OTOH, having been towed to Oregon from Illinois, and would launch at someplace like Umatilla, then proceed to Astoria. Would someone please identify a marina having a ramp that would be a likely place to park our truck and trailer for several weeks? Family in Beaverton (participating in parts of the cruise) would aid in recovering our vehicles.
 
kpoling said:
Delfin, We did it last summer at the end of July all the way to Clarkston from Portland. We went up to Kennewick in 2015 for the Hydro races. Last summer the current was still high from the runoff. The Snake from the Columbia to Ice Harbar dam was really really running fast. It was like a never ending pass up north for going against the current in a fairly narrow channel. We had a great time and will do it again after we have done a couple of trips up to the sound again. The main thing is to plan your lock times with your destination in the evening as ther are not a lot of places to duck out of the river in some stretches. Also stay in the channels on the Snake. One area we were going through showed 20+' on the chart but the bottom came up quick. We looked at the notes, it said shoaling noted 1977 on the current chart ?. Let me know if you need any info.
Click to expand...

Thanks! Sounds like it of a tree of between River depth and current when running upstream. What do you, or others with experience, think about a mid August timing?
 
Moby Nick said:
So far, everyone is cruising both ways, upstream and down. Our Albin-25, OTOH, having been towed to Oregon from Illinois, and would launch at someplace like Umatilla, then proceed to Astoria. Would someone please identify a marina having a ramp that would be a likely place to park our truck and trailer for several weeks? Family in Beaverton (participating in parts of the cruise) would aid in recovering our vehicles.
Click to expand...

Not sure where on the river you want to load up your boat.

Boat ramps are

Kalama
Rainier
Willow Grove Longview WA
Cathlament
Illwaco
Hammond
 
We appreciate your reply, Guru. Looking briefly at municipal websites, Illwaco seems a worthy destination featuring a comprehensive harbor including a good ramp. As our objective is "the Columbia through the whole of Oregon" (minus the Pacific bar), Illwaco would put us right in the lee of a ridge overlooking the Pacific.

Our Albin is weatherly, however her 35 hp limits her power against wind and waves.
 
Delfin said:
Thanks! Sounds like it of a tree of between River depth and current when running upstream. What do you, or others with experience, think about a mid August timing?
Click to expand...

River will be pretty flat then in terms of both wind and current compared to other times of the year.
I live very near the mid Columbia and own a Duckworth jet sled to enjoy the River very occasionally (at 35 knots and 4" draft). My caution at this time of the year would be protection from the heat and sun. It can and likely will be brutal once you pass Hood River and the landscape turns to the scene in an earlier post of barren desert to Clarkston. Expect temps in the river canyon of 100+.
For me, this can be a little appealing once in a while in the small fast boat for water sports, but I do not have much appetite at all for it in the big boats. That may just be related to the fact that I am familiar with it and less familiar with the cool salt water parts of our region where the opportunities to see new things seem entirely endless.
Keep us posted. I would love to buzz you in the Duck on your way through!
 
Delfin, I think in mid August the currents should be way down so you should be fine. As stated above just below the Bonneville dam & the Ice Harbor on the Snake are the strongest currents. I believe you can contact the Bonneville Power to get the flow rates on the Columbia dams. Our American Tug 34 could go fast enough to make decent times in the high current areas. When we go upriver we stop at Beacon Rock just below the Bonneville dam, it is a nice spot and gets you close for an early morning lift if you desire. Above Bonneville you can stop at Cascade Locks, Hood River and The Dalles. The Dalles marina is just down river of the Dalles Dam. You want to try for an early lift at the Dalles Dam because of the winds there every day. Above the Dalles, we have anchored on the east side of Miller Island, the bottom there has weed (milfoil?) that can foul the anchor. It is a short hop to the John Day Dam. Just above he dam is the John Day River, which is an awesome spot if you are under 20-21'H because of the bridges. You can go a couple of miles up the river which stays pretty deep until right before the old park. We have anchored up there a couple of times. It looks like your masts are a bit over 20'H though. The next stop out of the channel and wind is the Arlington marina. Not much to see or do but they have diesel. After that there is Crow Butte park marina. It is out of the wind but no services at the marina. There is a marina at Umatilla just below McNary Dam that you can tuck into and wait for the lift. From there it is a nice cruise up to Tri Cities. The Clover Island YC is awesome for a nice rest stop, talk to Mike (GFC). From there you can go back down river a bit & turn up the Snake. You will want to time that transit to arrive near a lift time. I think you can tie up at the entrance but you would have to get out of the way if there is a barge coming out, watch your AIS and chat with the lift master, they were all really nice on the Snake. If you transmit AIS, they will call you as you approach (at least they did last year to us). There are a few places above Ice Harbor to anchor, just depends on winds. I need to be on my laptop computer with nav software to remember the stops after Ice Harbor.
 
hollywood8118 said:
Carl.
We took Volunteer up the Columbia and Snake rivers a number of years ago, Diesel isn't a issue.. especially for you. The current can be a bitch until you lock through at Bonneville, after that its just the wind.
I spent a number of hours with the throttle to the wall to go a couple miles.. most times showing .01 kt trying to get up the last stretch below Bonneville in May.
In my 20,000+ offshore miles it was the most harrowing thing I have done in a boat. It can flow over 500,000 cubic feet per second and its a couple hundred yards wide and max of about 35' in the center of the channel at that point.

We had a draft of 6' and never had an issue.. but anchoring can be interesting as holding can be hit and miss.
We towed our comp ski boat with Volunteer on a lot of the trip and spent the entire summer going over for long weekends and a few 10 day stretches.
AC really helps as it gets rather warm and nights can be buggy and uncomfortable.
The locks are for the most part not too big of a problem unless its windy.. and the lock tenders seem to be less enthusiastic dealing with recreational vessels vs commercial vessels.
We had a grand time at Yacht clubs in Portland and the Tri Cities..
You will really enjoy the folks at the Clover Island Yacht Club, they are our kind of people :)
We plan on doing the rivers again, probably on a boat that can cruise a bit faster than we did the first time.
A good part of the trip will be in water that looks like this
PM me if you need more info
HOLLYWOOD
Click to expand...

Thanks HW... This will be a 2019 trip, so maybe we can connect in PT before then and I can pick your brain.
 
kpoling said:
Delfin, I think in mid August the currents should be way down so you should be fine. As stated above just below the Bonneville dam & the Ice Harbor on the Snake are the strongest currents. I believe you can contact the Bonneville Power to get the flow rates on the Columbia dams. Our American Tug 34 could go fast enough to make decent times in the high current areas. When we go upriver we stop at Beacon Rock just below the Bonneville dam, it is a nice spot and gets you close for an early morning lift if you desire. Above Bonneville you can stop at Cascade Locks, Hood River and The Dalles. The Dalles marina is just down river of the Dalles Dam. You want to try for an early lift at the Dalles Dam because of the winds there every day. Above the Dalles, we have anchored on the east side of Miller Island, the bottom there has weed (milfoil?) that can foul the anchor. It is a short hop to the John Day Dam. Just above he dam is the John Day River, which is an awesome spot if you are under 20-21'H because of the bridges. You can go a couple of miles up the river which stays pretty deep until right before the old park. We have anchored up there a couple of times. It looks like your masts are a bit over 20'H though. The next stop out of the channel and wind is the Arlington marina. Not much to see or do but they have diesel. After that there is Crow Butte park marina. It is out of the wind but no services at the marina. There is a marina at Umatilla just below McNary Dam that you can tuck into and wait for the lift. From there it is a nice cruise up to Tri Cities. The Clover Island YC is awesome for a nice rest stop, talk to Mike (GFC). From there you can go back down river a bit & turn up the Snake. You will want to time that transit to arrive near a lift time. I think you can tie up at the entrance but you would have to get out of the way if there is a barge coming out, watch your AIS and chat with the lift master, they were all really nice on the Snake. If you transmit AIS, they will call you as you approach (at least they did last year to us). There are a few places above Ice Harbor to anchor, just depends on winds. I need to be on my laptop computer with nav software to remember the stops after Ice Harbor.
Click to expand...

Great info, thanks. Yes we're around 34' of the water with the masts, so that if a limitation as well.
 
klee wyck said:
River will be pretty flat then in terms of both wind and current compared to other times of the year.
I live very near the mid Columbia and own a Duckworth jet sled to enjoy the River very occasionally (at 35 knots and 4" draft). My caution at this time of the year would be protection from the heat and sun. It can and likely will be brutal once you pass Hood River and the landscape turns to the scene in an earlier post of barren desert to Clarkston. Expect temps in the river canyon of 100+.
For me, this can be a little appealing once in a while in the small fast boat for water sports, but I do not have much appetite at all for it in the big boats. That may just be related to the fact that I am familiar with it and less familiar with the cool salt water parts of our region where the opportunities to see new things seem entirely endless.
Keep us posted. I would love to buzz you in the Duck on your way through!
Click to expand...

I will do so. Sounds like we'll be glad for the a/c! Please buzz away if we can connect.
 
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