[JayB]

I've used Big Eddy as a takeout after kayaking the upper stretch a few times over the years, but never paid much attention to the condition of the "ramp" there until recently.

I took a friend on his kids on a scenic float a few weeks ago, and at that time the launch consisted of a shelf of soft sand deposits, and a very steep, heavily gullied drop-off starting about 20 feet from the water - all courtesy of the winter floods.

Anyway - does that launch ever get any seasonal maintenance to turn it into something closer to a ramp? It's fine either way - but knowing what to expect will help with the pre-launch planning.

Thanks!

 

[Manwell Lotion]

I've used Big Eddy as a takeout after kayaking the upper stretch a few times over the years, but never paid much attention to the condition of the "ramp" there until recently.

I took a friend on his kids on a scenic float a few weeks ago, and at that time the launch consisted of a shelf of soft sand deposits, and a very steep, heavily gullied drop-off starting about 20 feet from the water - all courtesy of the winter floods.

Anyway - does that launch ever get any seasonal maintenance to turn it into something closer to a ramp? It's fine either way - but knowing what to expect will help with the pre-launch planning.

Thanks!

I have no idea but as we all know. Shitty put-ins and take-outs are the norm in Washington. There are some real gems out there on the OP.

 

[Salmo_g]

It's an undeveloped launch/retrieval site. As you can see from the shifting sand deposits, if it were developed into a concrete boat ramp, the river would just destroy it on an annual basis without major shoreline modifications. And even then it would be destroyed on a somewhat regular basis. That's the nature of river hydraulics.

Sg

 

[Batt B]

Keep it the way it is, I say.

 

[Out of Here]

Keeps out the Subarus and RAV4's.

 

[Batt B]

For fishing, it's mostly a put-in anyway. So just don't drive down too far. Dump the boat and push. For a paddler's take-out, whaddayawant?

 

[Smalma]

JayB-
That launch is maintained/operated by State Parks; to get information give them a call; maybe the Wallace Falls park.

Curt

 

[JayB]

Thanks for the replies - I figured that a concrete structure would be futile, but was just wondering if they ever grade the "ramp" leading down to the river after the winter flood season is over/before summer steelhead season starts, etc.

Sounds like the answer is "no." Fine with me - I'll just plan on removing the frame, etc and re-assembling the whole shebang on the riverside on trips where I'll be the only hombre present to move the raft on family trips. We managed fine last time - but we had three full grown men on the job and getting launched still involved some 4-low and shovel shenanigans....

 

[phuck this]

The did remove half(down stream side) after the first big flood, the text flood put more in and crated the gully, if there are enough complaints they'll fix it. FYI I launched there just fine with my Subaru.

 

[Blood Knot]

They usually blade off the lower parking area, but I think the launch is perennially forgotten even if they claim to be doing it.