9/7/2021 - Fern Ridge Lake, Perkins Peninsula Park, Eugene, OR

Time: 2.08 hours

Distance: 6.37 miles

We put into Fern Ridge Lake at Perkins Peninsula Park just outside of Eugene, OR on a beautiful sunny day. After several years of drought on the West Coast the lake was many feet below its normal level and all docks and swimming holes were high and dry so we had to wade through thick clay mud getting in and out of the water. On the up-side of this there was not a single other person on the lake. We first explored all the small water ways in the nature reserve at the South end of the lake before finally making it onto the lake proper. However, the water in the southern part of the lake was extremely shallow (at times less than a foot) so we made our way back to our put-in spot and called it a day early.

Lynda preparing to put in.

Dane trying to wash the mud off his feet just after putting in.

Lynda paddling down a water way early in the trip.

Dane paddling under a bridge.

One of the water ways.

Lynda paddling towards a bridge.

Lynda nearing the get out.

Muddy feet after getting out.

After beers at Homegrown Brewery in Florence, OR.