Commodore's Cove:
Commodore's Cove is a popular spot for families with ski boats to camp
out in the summer because it's close enought to the 42nd street launch
ramp to shuttle all their gear for a week-end and because it has
restroom facilities on shore. Bigger boats generally tie up to
the float, anchor under the bridge or anchor and stern-tie to shore.
There's traffic noise from the bridge, but it isn't too bothersome and
after a bit, you don't even notice it anymore. In the summer if it's
hot and you stern-tie, the bridge shades you from the sun in the late
afternoon.
There is a leash law and the Park Service Nazi's enforce it, so make
sure you take a leash with you if you're walking your dog on the beach.
The cattle loading dock is also apparently off-limits, so watch out for
that. It is nice that the Park Service sends out a team of 3 people to
stock the toilet paper in the porta-potties on shore a couple of times
a day though.
Commodore's Cove is located about 7 miles upriver of the I-5 bridge at
the I-205 bridge.
See the red rectangle below.
Google Maps View
Google Earth View
In a bit more detail, it's on the Oregon side of the river, but the
Washington side of Government Island. Don't even think about trying to
get there by going between Lemon Island and Tri-Club Island - stay on
the Washington side of Tri-Club Island until you're upriver of the
I-205 bridge.
The key to getting into Commodore's Cove is staying just upriver (East)
of the I-205 bridge. The yellow line (below) shows the path. The red
circle
indicates the shallowest spot - it can get down to less than 6 feet of
water at that point. The shallowest spot is actually reached before you
get to the "point". Once you get past that point, you can turn under
the bridge or contnue straight in. Because the current is running
before you pass the point ad you have to stay so close to the bridge
pylons, you have to watch that you don't get swept into the bridge.
Once you get in, you can either tie up to the floating dock (with no
access to shore) or drop a hook and back in to shore and bring a stern
anchor to shore with a dinghy. The water is pretty deep where you stern
tie (18-20 ft), so you need to drop your anchor pretty far out (under
the pridge at least).
In the summer, the wind can kick up in the late afternoon and early
evening and tends to come from the NorthWest, so you' have the wind on
our beam (look at the stern line angle on the boat in the blue-ish
rectangle) and it will test your anchoring ability. If you can, ease
your stern line (like the boats in the green rectangle have done) a bit
to allow the wind to hit you more directly on the bow.
