Lazy River #1 Traditional Cache

This cache is #1 in a series of caches that I have planned for the Tualatin River. The river earned its name, which means "lazy river," from the Atfalati people who lived in the Tualatin Basin. Basically, it is more like a long skinny lake than a river and has very little current, particularly in the summer months.

Kayak view of the Tualatin (Lazy) River

This cache does not require a watercraft and is easily reachable by land. Navigating the river is optional. The cache container is a 35mm film canister so trades are not appropriate. Bring your own pen or pencil! The cache is wheelchair accessible as it is only about twenty feet off of the road on hard-packed gravel.

For those of you that are paddlers, paddling upstream on the Tualatin River is as easy as downstream. I spend a lot of time kayaking the Tualatin and decided to place a series of caches along the river. Some will be at launch points that will be accessible by river or land. Others will be accessible by water only. You can find a map of the Tualatin River drainage basin at http://www.tualatinriverkeepers.org. Click here to view other caches in the Lazy River series.

This particular cache is at the “Fields Bridge” launch point. This is a great place to launch your kayak, canoe or raft. Do not go south of the bridge! You will want paddle north after you launch. At approximately 1.3 river miles upriver you will get to an impassible area of rocks in the summer months and swift current in the rainy months. You will find a house on the right shore of the river at this point. Turn around here and proceed back to the starting point to take out your craft. Do not proceed above this point! There are several sloughs near the north end. Do not explore them unless you are experienced as you could get stuck or run into fallen trees.

Caution! Padding is potentially a dangerous sport. Lives can be lost when paddlers don’t follow safe paddling procedures. You must know your skill level. Never try to overdue it! Paddlers should be aware of the weather and currents. The water can be cold and rain can affect the flow of the river. If you are not an experienced paddler, do not attempt to paddle the river during the cold wet months. The river rises and runs fast then and you could get into trouble if you are beyond your skill level. Don't forget your Personal Flotation Device (PFD)!

These warnings are intended to make you aware of potential dangers, not to scare you away. Actually, this section of the Tualatin is a beautiful and calm portion of the river, that is suitable for the whole family in the summer months as long as you follow safe paddling procedures. Happy geocaching and paddling!