Trip Report: Clackamas Whitewater Festival
--When, where, conditions-- 
When: May 17-18
Location: Clackamas River outside Estacada, Oregon ~2200cfs
Conditions: Sunny and wonderful on Saturday. A bit dreary on Sunday but no less fun was had.
Duration: 2 days with 14 events
--Helpful Info--
Clackfest attracts all types of paddlers. Saturday brought oar frame and raft races as well as hardshell boater x. The raft, IK, and cataraft mass starts and slaloms all started up at Fish Creek with only the hardshell boater X starting immediately above the slalom course. Competitors in that event paddled in heats of 4-5 due to the close nature of the gates at Carters Bridge. Missing this year was the classic ramp that launched paddlers into the air and river at Carters; low participation may have been a factor.
When: May 17-18
Location: Clackamas River outside Estacada, Oregon ~2200cfs
Conditions: Sunny and wonderful on Saturday. A bit dreary on Sunday but no less fun was had.
Duration: 2 days with 14 events
--Helpful Info--
Difficulty: Class III-III+ whitewater course through Carter Bridge rapid
Kid Friendly? Great spectator area at Carter Bridge Rapid
Pet Friendly? Dogs everywhere!
Useful Links: http://upperclackamasfestival.org/
The Report: The 31st Annual Upper Clackamas Whitewater festival was a sight to behold. With 14 events, there was something for every paddler in attendance. The vibe was friendly and many people came simply to watch paddlers play and float down Carters Bridge Rapid. Cars stacked with boats and towing trailers lined HWY-224 while local law enforcement kept an eye out for speedsters.
Clackfest attracts all types of paddlers. Saturday brought oar frame and raft races as well as hardshell boater x. The raft, IK, and cataraft mass starts and slaloms all started up at Fish Creek with only the hardshell boater X starting immediately above the slalom course. Competitors in that event paddled in heats of 4-5 due to the close nature of the gates at Carters Bridge. Missing this year was the classic ramp that launched paddlers into the air and river at Carters; low participation may have been a factor.
Having that many races means having a whole lot of hungry paddlers bumbling around. Next Adventure fired up a delicious meal on Bryan's grill that night to thank the community for coming out. Paddlers and spectators settled into a weekend of good fun and friends, even if the nice weather didn't hold. While Sunday was a bit dreary, racers still got after it with such events as SUP and Playboat Boater X events.
Click here for the event placeholders.