First trip to Lake Powell

[dad25]

I will be going to Powell for the first time (and taking my family of 8) from July 2 through 6 or 7. I will be launching from Bullfrog. I want to be properly prepared and hope that I can get good feedback from you veterans. This would be a very valuable resource for other Lake Powell first-timers! Here are our hopes for the trip:<br /><br />* Skiing. I have never been to a lake that had good skiing conditions at times other than early morning and evening—does it exist at Powell? And, if so, where?<br />* Fishing. We would all love to have a fish fry for supper once or twice.<br />* Waterplay. Most would probably enjoy some general swimming, jumping off of rocks, finding waterfalls or sliding rocks, etc.<br />* Exploring. Seeing interesting geology like slot canyons. Find Indian ruins or other historical sites. Moderate hiking difficulty, since youngest is 9.<br /><br />Questions:<br /><br />1. To which general area should we go to set up camp? Can we expect to set up camp just once, then do all of those activities from that one spot? Or should we plan to move? Where can we accomplish (if possible) all of the above activities? Or is it too much for one visit?<br />2. If I bring 5 gal. cans of fuel, can I leave them on shore at my camp? What concerns would there be about theft and safety?<br />3. Strategies for keeping enough drinking water on hand? With 8 of us, I estimate we will need at least 5 gallons a day.<br />4. I understand there are pests, such as mice and scorpions. How should we prepare and set up camp to avoid problems with them? What about mosquitoes or other pests?<br />5. Any advice on hygiene considerations, especially for the 4 women?<br />6. Generally, when should we plan skiing? Fishing? Can either be done successfully during the hot afternoons?<br />7. Are fires allowed, and if so, do we have to bring in the firewood? Or are there better strategies for cooking -- charcoal? Propane?<br />8. In addition to a large tent and a dining enclosure, what should we bring for shelter for people and belongings? Any advice on how to set up the camp to avoid problems?<br />9. What tools are important, that I might not think about?<br /><br />Thanks!

 

[KRS]

Re: First trip to Lake Powell

www . wayneswords . com<br /><br />check it out (remove the spaces)

 

[anyfishlldo]

Re: First trip to Lake Powell

OK, first off, there are lots of sites with good info, I will list a few below.<br /><br />Second, it is a huge lake and can be intimidating, I highly suggest buying at least the North Powell map (it's a blue and white folding waterproof map)and if you have it, a handheld GPS (makes it easier to get back to camp.<br /><br />As far as skiing, early and late are generally better but there are so many protected coves, bays and canyons you can find somewhere to ski almost anytime.<br /><br />Fishing will be better in mornings and evenings but I bet striper are hot right now.<br /><br />Interesting sites: see the map, it has all sorts of locations, just keep in mind that the lake is sooooo much bigger than you think, what looks like a little scoot down the lake can be 20-30 miles.<br /><br />As far as your specific questions:<br /><br />1: try this site: http://www.riverlakes.com/powlmaps.htm you can click on the individual maps for a zoom in and there are good camp spots marked in red. Anywhere relatively flat with sand is good though, try Halls Bay if you are launching at Bullfrog, lots of good spots and it's pretty close by.<br /><br />2: you should be OK to leave gas, especially since you'll be leaving much more pricey stuff in the way of camping equip., but 5 gal is nothing (at least in my boat). Expect to fill up at the Marina though.<br /><br />3: No way around that, just load up on the way out and drop it all at camp first thing.<br /><br />4: Not too bad on skeeters, and if you pick a sandy beach the rest should be OK.<br /><br />5: Buying a porta potti or even a bucket potti may not be a bad idea, just be preared to dig as you don't want it on your boat full.<br /><br />6: My suggestion is to find a sheltered cove during the heat of the day and play iin the water. ski or fish early or late.<br /><br />7: Call a Glen Canyon ranger station http://www.nps.gov/glca/ and ask about fire. I will tell you that wood is scarce, I would invest in one of those propane grills that close up and look like a suitcase. Wally world has them for around $30. Save your wood for the fire.<br /><br />8: Plenty of seats, and shade. Set up close to the water (it's cooler at night), and be prepared for fine red sand on everything and in every crevice you have. I put a mat outside every tent and make everyone take shoes off.<br /><br />9: A good shovel, good sand stakes for your tents (the regular spikes do not work), as many inflatable items as you can get your hands on so everyone can float and cool off. An extra prop and prop wrench are a good idea too.<br /><br /><br />Couple other things:<br /><br />Fill up at Hanksville (usually cheaper) and buy everything you need beforehand, everything at Bullfrog is way expensive. Get radios (FRS if you don't have ship to shore) especially if you have more than one boat.<br /><br /><br />google lake powell, you will be amazed how much comes up.<br /><br /><br />found a web cam feed for the ramps!<br /><br /> http://www.nps.gov/glca/cameraww1.htm <br /><br /><br />The last thing is buy maps, books, whatever seems interesting, I can't emphasize enough how overwhelming this lake is, you need all the info you can get and you need a plan. Otherwise you'll just be rubbernecking around the place the whole time.<br /><br /><br />Have fun, I envy you.

 

[JohnRuff]

Re: First trip to Lake Powell

Take lots of canned Anchovies<br /><br />No, not for Pizza! That is the #1 bait for stripers.<br /><br />Don't worry about scorpions, as the rattle snakes eat most of them (j/k) -- Rule for scorpions is to remember to tap out your shoes as they like to hide in them. The smaller the scorpion the worse its bite. So try to get bit by a big one if you really want to <br /><br />You are going to love this lake!

 

[OLDSPUD]

Re: First trip to Lake Powell

This is my home playground. Are you camping or taking out a houseboat?

I have only camped there twice. If you do, and your are launching at Bullfrog, I suggest you stay close to Halls marina.

I would look for a camping spot in Halls bay, just around the corner from the Launchramp at bullfrog.

If your taking a houseboat out, the lake is yours to go camp and tye up where you want, I would go north and look for a cove with some shade.

It will be hotter than he** there then, I hope you have a bimini on your boat. If you don't you will get burnt up just driving around during the day.

As far as water goes, like I said it will be very hot, you will need plenty of water, pop, juice, or whatever, I can drink a can of diet Pepsi in about twenty seconds. If your ar using coolers, that is why I say, stay close to Halls marina or Bullfrog Marina, uou will go through plenty of Ice.
The camping is better not being so close to Bullfrog as Halls.

Places I like close to Bullfrog and Halls are Moki Canyon, Smith Canyon, Crystal Canyon, Forgotten Canyon and Hansen Canyon. These are all very close to where you are launching.

Skiing is best either in the morning or evening, but if go go far enough away from the marinias, you can ski all day.

We like to go to Tapistry wall area to ski, it is about 15 miles North of Bullfrog, and can ski there most anytime, there is another big wall like tapistry just around the corner from Moki, , if you want ot play with tubes or swin it is usually good there morning or evening. Moki canyon is about ten to fifteen minutes from the Bullfrog launch ramp, you go left from the ramp toward halls Marina, then go left up the channal a little.


the Striper fishing is excellent right now. You can see what we call boils in the water when there is a feeding frenzy on chad going on, this can happen anytime and anywhere, but usually in the evening in the canyons. I buy frozen anchovies at the marina stor, this is what you will use to fish the the strippers. It would be a good idae to bring some anchovie hooks with you. Most people fish for stirppers along the Moki wall in the morning and evening, they will be about forty to sixty feet down, trick is trying to stay close to the wall if your not in a bass boat.

In july the water temp will be very nice, you can swin all day long.

Fires, I don't think are allowed, but I am usually on my houseboat and arn't aware of fire law.

Things to see, mainly just the lake itself in magnificent with the huge red rock walls, but if you have a big enough gas tank in your boat, I would definatly go to rainbow bridge, about maybe forty or so miles South down the channell from Halls. You may also stop and try to hike the hole in the rock monument, this is where the Mornon Pioneers took their wagons down the steep rock walls/ I've done it, unless you know the histroy it a very hard short hike and not much to see except where the pioneers tried to anchor their wagons in the rock going down. It is on the way to rainbow bridge.

There is a Marina just South of Rainbow Bridge, it is called dangleing rope Marina, you can fill up your boat befor you head back up the channell.

I have never seen any thing other than mice, and I 've been going to Lake Powell since about 1984.

Definatly get a map of the lake, i can guarentee you will get lost if this is your first time, their are channell boouys with milage markers so if you have a map, you will know exactly where you are.

Good luck, I was hooked the first time I went, and I have purchased a houseboat and go there five or six times a year now. Been there in November and March, I still love it then.

My favorite time of day is six to nine in the morning, and about seven to ten at night.

Spud

 

[OLDSPUD]

Re: First trip to Lake Powell

Hey Dad, how was your trip to Powell. I was down there the same time (weekend) your were, I came home on Sunday the 9th.

I was a little disappoiinted, seems like it was a little windy most of the time. Tons of people were also making the water rough. Usually not that bad.

I got a good tan.

Spud

 

[KRS]

Re: First trip to Lake Powell

update????????