Feather Falls '05:
You Couldn't Ask for Much More Than This!

Story by Mark Barr

During the week leading up to June 12th, the weather was wild. We saw thunderstorms with lightening, rain and swirling south winds. I have to admit, I was wondering if it would even be possible to have an event on Oroville Lake unless things calmed down a bit. Then Friday and Saturday cleared up and the forecasts finally came in for Sunday. As if in answer to a prayer, the winds were to be breezy from the north with temperatures in the high 80's. To make matters even better, the lake was only about a foot from being completely full. In short, we were going to have a kick ass sail to Feather Falls. Eight boats had RSVP'd and they all arrived promptly at the Loafer Creek Boat Ramp around 9:00. Folks started rigging almost immediately. We knew we had a long way to go that day and the breeze on the water looked very light.

On the left, rigging the Raven were (L. to R.) Wade Hough, Brad Seaberg, Bettie Ann Hough and Jim Forwalter.

In the center photo, Richard Silvera and Michelle Caron paused for a libation (iced tea) while rigging Michelle's C-15.

In the right photo, Sarah and Lloyd Lee get ready to raise the mast. It was to be Sarah's first sail with her Dad.

Once we got our boats launched, we soon realized the wind line was at least a mile away from the dock area, way out past the houseboats. Some tried to ghost their way out, but most took advantage of the two boats in our group that had motors, the Raven and the Hunter 216. Once we had assembled near the bridge, a nice 5 - 10 mph breeze filled in. Soon all 8 boats in our group were on their way up the Middle Fork. For some, the passage under the extreme southern end of the highway 162 bridge was a tight squeeze. We were moving along nicely, some broad reaching and gybing frequently while others went straight downwind on a run.

 

In the photo on the far left, Paul Ritchie's Hunter 216 easily cleared the bridge. For the Raven it had been much tighter...

In the center photo, Michelle Caron's C-15 was making good time off the wind going wing & wing with the Raven slowly overtaking.

In the right photo, "team Cal trans" the Barr family took Pink Slip broad reaching or running for much of the day (good gybe practice). [photo: Richard Silvera]

The breeze was steady at first with velocities of about 5-10 mph. After passing Sycamore Cove at the 5 mile point, the canyon took a 90 degree turn to the right and began to narrow. The wind started picking up and getting a bit more gusty too. We turned our boat straight down wind and went wing and wing ourselves. There were a couple accidental gybes on our boat and several other sailors later reported that they had experienced the same thing. Our boat speed at the 10 mile mark was 6-8 mph with occasional surges to about 10. We followed Jim & Michelle Marazzo in their Thistle with Wade Hough's Raven and Durl VanAlstyne's Thisle close behind us. We finally took the jib down when it bacame hard to hand hold it in the winged out position. There were power boats of every description, but they manouvered at a respectful distance. We had no problems with "motor head mentality" on this trip. There were 5 mph bouys out as we neared the Falls, so everybody cruised at a safe speed.

When we reached the last bend in the lake, the view of the Falls above us was amazing. It had a lot more water flowing this year than we had seen on our last Feather Falls Cruise back in 2003. We found a little cove to anchor in and rafted up with Durl and Sandy VanAlstyne. We picnicked on a huge granite outcropping that sloped off into the beautiful clear water of the lake. Everyone swam and relaxed in the delightfully warm water. As in past years, the water was frigid about 10 feet down, but this didn't affect us at all when we swam on the surface.

 

(Photo Left) The Barrs and the VanAlstynes anchored their Thistles in a cove about 200 yards from the end of the lake within view of the Falls

Center Photo- Jim & Michelle Marazzo were the first to reach the Falls. Note the low hanging tree limbs along the right shoreline.

Right Photo - Paul & Gisela's Hunter rafted up next to a friend's patio boat and they picnicked together in this idealic setting.

 

After swimming and picnicking for almost an hour, we finally raised anchor and started the long tack back. The wind had lightened in places, but we made good progress during the fist hour. However, after that, the wind lightened dramatically. We joined up with the Hough's Raven as they came up behind us, towing Jim and Michelle's Thistle. The Ritchie's Hunter had left earlier towing Durl's Thistle and Michelle Caron and Richard Silvera in Michelle's C-15. Lloyde Lee and his daugher had turned back earlier in the day with Paul Melcon keeping them company after penetrating the canyon a little over 5 miles. I later learned that they sailed back to the dock at Loafer Creek with no need for a tow. They were the only ones to sail in unassisted.

 

On Left, Durl's Thistle and Michelle's C-15 were towed by the Ritchie's Hunter 216.

Middle - Kelly, Chris and Grant Barr enjoyed the long (2+ HOUR) tow home, while eating every remaining crumb of food on the boat.

Right - One of the Raven's mascots, Gator, watched us intently for most of the tow home.

 

When we finally arried at the Loafer Creek Boat Ramp, everyone on my boat had had enough. It was a great day, but we couldn't wait to get out of the boat and head home. This was a long day on the lake (9 hours +) but it had gone just as we had hoped. If the wind hadn't died, we might still be out there somewhere, tacking our way out to the bridge. Sometimes a tow can be a very nice luxury. Thanks to Paul Ritchie and Wade Hough for volunteering to do the towing.

I hope everyone had as much fun as I had. Remember, the lake will be high for at least the next couple of months. Let's make the most of it.

 

This is a copy our our GPS route for the day. As in our 2003 trip, the cruise to the falls was just over 15 miles. (Click on photo for full resolution version).