Kayak Smith River, The Lunartics, kayaking and canoeing the Oregon Coast

Kayak America's Wild Rivers Coast with the Lunartics.

SMITH RIVER


2 June 2007	Saturday	1000	SMITH RIVER	Class 2-
Trip Notes: We have been watching the Smith River water level and are going to limit the length of the trip to take-out at Ruby Van Deventer County Park which is about 4 miles west of the Highway 199 on Highway 197. Meet at Ruby Van Deventer County Park at 1000. From there we will car pool to the Myrtle Beach put-in which is above Hiouchi.
Final Tally: 5 paddlers in kayaks had a great time today! The Smith River is beautiful! One of the sites that we saw today was a trampoline that had been converted into a raft by tying it to 50 gallon drums. Another of the little vessels looked like a kids boat out of Toon Town...with one paddler and one bailing (frantically). Found out that these were Coast Guardsmen and their families on a holiday. A side note would be that 'not a life jacket was to be seen on any of them'. But they were having fun. The Smith River is one of the best rivers to kayak. Don't wait much longer. The water level drop fast. Remember...the Smith has no dams! The Grand Entrance of the Day was when Luanne left 172' of skid mark on Highway 197 as she arrived at Ruby Van Deventer County Park...scared the hell out of everyone except Luanne. And the Grand Exit of the Day was just before take-out, Cheryl's Skylark let her down and permitted her to gracefully enter the Smith River while transiting the last rapid.

Nearest City:

Brookings, Oregon

Class:

The Smith River in June is a great kayak trip. Not lazy and not deadly...the river runs from Myrtle Beach (just up river from Hiouchi) through the redwoods and under Highway 101 to the take-out (about a mile past highway 101 at a public launch ramp).

This river does have some fun twists and turns in June so is rated by Lunartic Jim as Class 2-. If you cannot control your boat you will most likely dump.

Neither helmets or wetsuits should be necessary (make your own decision). Lifejackets are a must. Having a lunch in your boat is good. We may stop along the way to eat lunch. Depends on the speed of the river.

This is a beautiful trip.

Smith River Put-In

Smith River Route

Smith River Take-out


25 June 2006	Sunday	0900	Smith River	click here
Meet at 0900 at the Oceanside Diner in Brookings for breakfast or at 1000 at the take-out. We will car pool from the take-out to Myrtle Beach where we will put-in. Trip notes: 11 paddlers in 10 boats enjoyed the day. We put in at 1100 and pulled off the water at 1510. This included a 1/2 hour lunch break. The water was fun. A few paddlers got wet but no emergencies. And the wind was a gentleman...present but not in our face. All in all a great day.

Paddling toward the ocean on the Silt-Coos Kayak Canoe Trail. About 4 miles south of Florence, Oregon.

The Lunartics paddle America's Wild Rivers Coast in Kayaks and Canoes.