Windance | West Coast Guide | Sailing

Three Mile Canyon
On Oregon side, about 85 miles east of Hood River.
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Skill Level: 3-6 inside the cove, 6-10 out in the river.	Amenities: Porta-potties, cool place to camp
Sailing conditions:	If the wind is light, you'll have slalom conditions; if it's fairly windy, you get huge clean rollers
Rigging area:	You can rig on the small stretch of beach, on the dirt road or on the gravel parking area.	photo by Steve Hamman
Launch:	Sandy, a few rocks, gradual drop off. See details about sailing access and the new in-lieu treaty fishing site. The West end of the parking lot has been fenced off and reserved as an in-lieu fishing site. The new fence is just East of the boat dock	photo by Steve Hamman
Parking:	Free on gravel and dirt.	Click image to enlarge! The in-lieu treaty site is on the left.
Extras:	There is a boat launch for small boats.
Warnings and hazards:	Standard Safety Tips \| Gorge Safety Tips Site specific: Rattle snakes, bring food and water
Directions to get there:	Head east on I-84 until you get to the 3-mile canyon exit, go under the freeway overpass until you hit the gravel road and head west the road will take you down to the water.
Site owner:
Site liaison:	Open
Events planned for this site:
Comments and news about this site:	The US Army Corps of Engineers is working with CGWA to maintain windsurfing access at Three Mile Canyon while constructing an In-lieu fishing site for the Native Americans that was promised them years ago. Windsurfing access will be at 2 locations. (1). East end - from the eastern boundary of the Treaty Fishing Access Site fencing - about 60 feet of new beach will be constructed going east and ending at a new boat dock. You will be able to sail from that beach out through the gap in the berm to the main river. The public boat ramp is scheduled to be completed during in-water work periods that will be January 29, 2001. In the construction schedule there is no direct mention of the timeframe to complete the beach, but it should occur at the same time as the boat ramp. The whole site, including landscaping, is scheduled to be completed by April 20, 2001. (2). West end - from the current parking lot and about 50 yards from the new fence, drive up the hill to the south and follow the road west around the In-lieu fishing site. This road will intersect the old road about 100 yards before it ends at the west end sailing site where you will have access to the main river. This road will be improved presently. The workers are constructing this bypass road ahead of their initial schedule as a direct result of the Corps asking the construction contract to prioritize this road to alleviate windsurfers' concern that the Treaty Fishing Access Site had permanently cut off their westerly access. The eastern most point of access here will begin at the western boundary of the In-lieu site fencing. The Treaty Fishing Access Site bypass road connects into the old road along the shoreline, so access to the west goes as far as it has in the past. Info and photo provided by CGWA. The new road is in the foreground, old road in background. "Because the river is very wide here (over 1 mile across) and there is no bridge in either direction for 20 miles, this is not the place to experience a breakdown when alone. Even when sailing with a friend you should not venture out more than about 1/3 of the way across or you'll be in for a very long swim and hike if you experience a breakdown or wind failure. Play it safe. On shore, beware of rattlesnakes, especially in the boat landing area to the East of the landing inside the jetty ." - Stephen Schneider If you have any news about this sailing site, or corrections or additions for this page, please email us at windance@windance.com.

Windance 108 Hwy. 35, Hood River, OR 97031
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