The Narrows

duckwind · Joined: 10 Apr 2000 Posts: 24

Every time I drive back to Portland after sailing, I see the Narrows blowing hard with huge swells. But someone told me its completely closed down now because of the railroad tracks. I really want to try to sail there... is it possible at this point? / how do you get the the beach?

andymc4610 · Joined: 19 May 2000 Posts: 684

The spot your seeing is technically not the narrows. From T1 to T4 and it looks better than it is, you need at least a half meter bigger sail than swell/ hatch. there is a spot from washington at T4 you don't cross the tracks, parking and a beach. used to be one of the secret spots, now I think it's just forgotten.

WMP · Joined: 30 May 2000 Posts: 671

Crossing the railroad tracks will bring a fine of $1,000... plenty of state patrols along that stretch of SR14. Parking is tight, and crossing the highway is also very risky (there was a fatal head-on collision because of blind turn there last year). Tons of poison oak everywhere, it's also a breeding ground for ticks that carry lime disease. Many weeds in the water at the very small launch area.

- WMP

bobgatpdx1 · Joined: 13 Oct 2002 Posts: 385

Sounds perfect!
I think WMP is just trying to scare us off.
bobg

wmike · Joined: 20 Jan 2001 Posts: 207 Location: Maui

I didn't have a problem with the poison oak or ticks. But the parking is vary noticeable to the police and the $1000 fine is not worth it. Apparently at the Lyle kite launch you can go under the RR tracks. Kiters were sailing there today.

sissybar · Joined: 29 Apr 2006 Posts: 53

Very unlikely that a sheriff deputy or road cop will give you such a ticket. This is a choo choo cop task and the real cops do not like doing the much better paid rr cop's job. Nor will the local prosecutors want to do the rr any favors.

I believe the ticket would be a $0 to $1000 ticket at the discretion of publicly elected local judge to impose. Lots of voters cross those tracks for lots of reasons and public policy is not going to bend in favor of railroad.

westender · Joined: 02 Aug 2007 Posts: 1288 Location: Portland / Gorge

Bret · Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 149 Location: Up State New York

In Washington those Troopers will cite you for anything. Wa State has way more Troopers than Oregon, and the local jurisdictions keep a sharp eye for a ticket. The Wa State Patrol was the #1 State for DUI and Patrols last year.

WMP · Joined: 30 May 2000 Posts: 671

LAWLER · Posted: Tue Jul 07, 2009 10:53 am Post subject: TRAIL

I'm bringing my brush cutter with me on Vacation this year, that trail's going to look good when I'm done.