I planned our paddle for 9AM-noon so we'd get off the river before the day warmed & the summer crowds arrived. As always, we helped each other unload down the steps at Brown Bridge Landing, before doing the shuttle to Beitner & Olseon Bridge (downstream of Beitner Rapids). It was a leisurely but continuous 3 hr paddle to Beitner, socializing along the way. We followed a blue heron around a few bends & spotted an osprey. We admired the handiwork on the new private bridges. When we arrived at the Beitner take-out, Linda Pelkey, Marv & Marlene Puska loaded up, then walked the trail to oversee the rapids' descent. It was a warm enough day that no kayak skirts were needed but Kim Gyr's kayak took on a lot of water! Of course, the price you pay for paddling the rapids is the haul up to the parking lot from Oleson Bridge. After we loaded up, the Willis' took me back to my van & we noticed the accesses were full with afternoon paddlers, so glad we had the river to ourselves!
Trip Report & Photos by Trip Leader, Sara Cockrell
Kim Gyr helping Marvin Puska at Brown Bridge Landing
John Willis was "sweep"
Angie Willis paddling Beitner Rapids
Marvin Ison
Kim Gyr
John Willis