9/7/2022 - Lake Billy Chinook, The Cove Palisades State Park, OR

Time: 3.4 hours

Distance: 9.15 miles

We put into Lake Billy Chinook from the Cove Palisades State Park outside of Culver OR on a calm pleasant morning. We were struck immediately by the complete lack of people at a place that use to be filled during the summer. We found the reason for the lack of people almost immediately when we discovered the entire lake was filled with viscous green algae. We weren't planning on getting into the water and there was no toxic algae warning so we progressed with the trip. We paddled South up Deschutes Canyon and onto the Deschutes river as far as we could go before turning back. The scenery was absolutely breathtaking and we spend the entire trip surrounded by several hundred foot canyon walls with all manner of rock features topography. It was truly one of the most beautiful trips we've taken.

Lynda preparing to put in.

The very slimy water.

Lynda paddling on the Lake.

Lynda heading into Deschutes Canyon.

The end of the road on the Deschutes River.

Dane taking a short break on the way back down the Deschutes River.

Parked kayaks as we took a short break just after turning around.

 Lynda paddling by a huge bolder-field.

 Nearing the end of Deschutes Canyon. Dane paddling on the side.

 After beers at Sunriver Brewing.