June 27th Kayaking Opportunity!

Kayaking Opportunity for Friends of the Mid-Columbia Wildlife Refuges!

The Friends of Mid-Columbia Wildlife Refuges, in conjunction with the Fish and Wildlife Service, is offering a 4-mile flatwater guided kayak adventure on June 27, 2026. (We may extend the trip a little further along the WA shore if conditions are good and kayakers are interested in going continuing.)
The trip is open to all members of the Friends of the Refuge. (to join, see https://www.friendsofmcrwr.org/membership.html).
This kayak trip will be a 4-mile round trip paddle featuring a visit to the Blalock Islands.
(There is some upstream paddling to get back to the boat launch).
The Islands are an important nesting area for various birds in the summer and the waters around the islands are an important loafing area in the winter.



We will meet Saturday at 10:00am at the boat launch near Paterson, WA.

See https://maps.app.goo.gl/3iTJ5XdzFsezbxvz6


A maximum of 16 Friends will be provided with single or tandem kayaks and kayaks will be transported to the put-in.
Non-members of the Friends can join us, but must supply their own kayaks.
If you would like to participate, please sign up with Jaynee at jamatola@gmail.com.
When you contact Jaynee, specify if you are a Friends’ member, if you want a single or double kayak, and your mobile text number.


Note:
If Saturday turns out to be an undesirable day to kayak due to weather, winds, whatever, then we will go Sunday, June 28. If for some reason if we can’t kayak Blalock Islands, we will change the venue to the Peninsula Unit, McNary NWR.



Once a participant list is confirmed, carpooling can be arranged.
It is essential that Jaynee (whom you will sign up with) has a means to contact you at the last minute:
your text or email.


Gear:
Bring water and snacks as well as appropriate extra clothing for the weather.
Don’t forget sunscreen and sunhats with a “leash”.
Binoculars highly recommended.



See you on the water!!