Lake Powell 2019 (First Timers)

[Not Important]

I have done some research through previous threads (Thanks B-Rad77) and from what I have gathered, below is our plan, please add anything I am missing or any recommendations you may have. This is our first trip to Powell 7 adults and 3 kids under 10 June 27th-30th. We will be camping out wherever we find a good spot, not necessarily staying in one spot though. When we get back to Page on Sunday night, we will rent hotel rooms and head back to Parker Monday morning.


This trip will begin June 26th, 2019, the plan is to head to Parker Wednesday morning. We will be shopping and making meals we can eat easily while we are out. Thursday morning we depart from Parker, 5AM. Arrive in Page AZ for food, fuel and ice. Launch at Wahweap and head up river/lake? the goal is to make it to Dangling rope on day 1-more food, fuel and ice. The ultimate goal is to hit Escalante and camp out there. I am concerned that a straight shot up will be boring for the kids but I want to be sure we see as much as we can with our time (half day Thursday-Sunday) Are there any "must See" spots on the way up? We wouldn’t mind camping out somewhere Thursday night before we hit Dangling rope, or even after we leave dangling but before we hit Escalante. I figure we will be going about 20mph loaded down (Evolution Pontoon with merc 275ob) On the way back is also an option, should we head straight to Escalante (after fuel stop) and spend our time there then hit the other stuff on the way back?



Stuff we are bringing:
30 gallons of extra fuel
VHF Radio (Channel 16)
Satellite Phone
Stan Jones Map
Lake Powell/Glen Canyon map
Lake Powell App
Food/beer/bbq
Float toys for kids
Sleeping shit (some will sleep on boat, some in tent)
Shoes to hike in
Portable camping Shitter

Thanks again,
-Mike

 

[JD D05]

Are you launching on Thursday? Use Stateline launch ramp. Tons of places to see, there is a huge sand hill directly across the bay etc etc etc.

 

[Racey]

Sea Tow Membership, especially if you are going with just one boat.

 

[J DUNN]

My advice would be get camp set up first then go explore. It will take you a while to get all the mundane stuff done Thursday morning and a long while to go up to Escalante. If you're going to be there long enough then just go set up camp. If you feel you missed something then pack up early on head home day and see it on your way back down the lake.

 

[24 Sleekenforcer]

Lake Powell is closed due to low water. Nothing to see there, just sand and rocks.

 

[JD D05]

I agree with Dunn you will want to get to Escalante as quick as you can to get a spot.

Maybe I will be there to hold one for you

 

[mesquito_creek]

I was up a Powell two different times last summer for a week at a time and barely made it past Dangling rope. My take is that for someone who hasn't done it before.. You are blowing past way too much of the lake on the first day. I probably wouldn't make it past Last Chance on day one with what you have going on!

 

[JD D05]

I was up a Powell two different times last summer for a week at a time and barely made it past Dangling rope. My take is that for someone who hasn't done it before.. You are blowing past way too much of the lake on the first day. I probably wouldn't make it past Last Chance on day one with what you have going on!

Escalante is the best IMO...But yes it is all really great.

 

[mesquito_creek]

Escalante is the best IMO...But yes it is all really great.

I would leave him wanting more on the first trip not going straight to the money shot! LOL...

He's blowing right past Rainbow Bridge? Isn't that a first timers right of passage?

But Seriously, the best laid plans at Powell are a total crap shoot on the first few trips, you get distracted quick. I mean he is also blowing past the secret hidden pools at Last chance that we could tell him about, but have to kill him after....

 

[Not Important]

LOL, both great points, and nothing is set in stone. Ultimately we will be going with the flow, if we get sidetracked then it is what it is. Mostly just pumped to get on the lake after talking about it for so many years.

 

[King295]

I haven't been in years (that will change soon hopefully) but we would typically stay in Dungeon Canyon which is just short of Dangling Rope. We would make a direct a shot to Dungeon Canyon, set up shop and then explore. From Dungeon Canyon you have access to Rainbow Bridge, etc. via day trips and keeps you close to the marina for gas and ice.

 

[JD D05]

I would leave him wanting more on the first trip not going straight to the money shot! LOL...

He's blowing right past Rainbow Bridge? Isn't that a first timers right of passage?

But Seriously, the best laid plans at Powell are a total crap shoot on the first few trips, you get distracted quick. I mean he is also blowing past the secret hidden pools at Last chance that we could tell him about, but have to kill him after....

Well not blowing past 20 mph is pretty slow hahahaha. I can't disagree with you.

 

[Cobalt232]

Wayne's Words site is awesome for Lake Powell info:

https://wayneswords.net/

Wayne also wrote a great book on his life managing the Lake Powell fishery.

Sorry, I don't have any experience with the south part of the lake, we go to Bullfrog, but I know Rainbow Bridge would be great for the kids.

 

[ToMorrow44]

I have done some research through previous threads (Thanks B-Rad77) and from what I have gathered, below is our plan, please add anything I am missing or any recommendations you may have. This is our first trip to Powell 7 adults and 3 kids under 10 June 27th-30th. We will be camping out wherever we find a good spot, not necessarily staying in one spot though. When we get back to Page on Sunday night, we will rent hotel rooms and head back to Parker Monday morning.


This trip will begin June 26th, 2019, the plan is to head to Parker Wednesday morning. We will be shopping and making meals we can eat easily while we are out. Thursday morning we depart from Parker, 5AM. Arrive in Page AZ for food, fuel and ice. Launch at Wahweap and head up river/lake? the goal is to make it to Dangling rope on day 1-more food, fuel and ice. The ultimate goal is to hit Escalante and camp out there. I am concerned that a straight shot up will be boring for the kids but I want to be sure we see as much as we can with our time (half day Thursday-Sunday) Are there any "must See" spots on the way up? We wouldn’t mind camping out somewhere Thursday night before we hit Dangling rope, or even after we leave dangling but before we hit Escalante. I figure we will be going about 20mph loaded down (Evolution Pontoon with merc 275ob) On the way back is also an option, should we head straight to Escalante (after fuel stop) and spend our time there then hit the other stuff on the way back?



Stuff we are bringing:
30 gallons of extra fuel
VHF Radio (Channel 16)
Satellite Phone
Stan Jones Map
Lake Powell/Glen Canyon map
Lake Powell App
Food/beer/bbq
Float toys for kids
Sleeping shit (some will sleep on boat, some in tent)
Shoes to hike in

Thanks again,
-Mike

Good call on the Sat phone. The VHF radio may or may not work when you have 500’ canyon walls on either side lol. Good plan

 

[JD D05]

Good call on the Sat phone. The VHF radio may or may not work when you have 500’ canyon walls on either side lol. Good plan

They don't even if you have a massive antenna. A message is usually relayed but multiple boaters. I carry a Sat phone on every trip there, even at the very end of Escalante it works but the window is narrow.

 

[Cobalt232]

Good call on the Sat phone. The VHF radio may or may not work when you have 500’ canyon walls on either side lol. Good plan

I used to bring a sat phone when we would launch out of Hite. Due to the canyon walls, you would still need to reposition to get a decent satellite. That was over 10 years ago, so it might be better now though.

My understanding is that VHF is better in the southern part of the lake since there are more boaters that can relay a message.

Or, you can look at one of the SPOT beacons.

 

[seanroberts]

I’ve been going to Lake Powell since 2006, we spend between 12-21 days there house boating. I think you’re going to be pushing to go all the way to the Escalante Arm. I would say only go to Last Chance or Rock Creek Bay. Set up camp then you can explore Rainbow Bridge and the other areas. Plus you’re closer to fuel if you’re by Rock Creek, Dangling rode is pretty close to there. No matter what you’ll have fun. The water is starting to warm up near the end of June into July. We’ll be launching on the 27th of June also from Wahweap. We’re on the Midas Touch. We’ll stay in Rock Creek for 8-10 days then either move or just resupply. Say hello if you see us. Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[Gramps]

my favorite camp canyon on that part of the lake is LLeweyn (sp?) gulch..... take a look at it

 

[JD D05]

my favorite camp canyon on that part of the lake is LLeweyn (sp?) gulch..... take a look at it

This video is leaving that canyon.

 

[Gramps]

if you go up the San Juan Cha Canyon is pretty good

 

[Dennydmorrison]

I would be very cautious about relying on Dangling Rope marina for any food/supplies. They don't have much in the way of groceries and everything is expensive. They do however have really good root beer floats.

 

[2Driver]

Sea Tow Membership, especially if you are going with just one boat.

Good advice. A friend went last year with just his wife and lost an impeller. $2,500 tow in.

Personally I think you have too much planned for day 1 leaving Parker. With that many people to coordinate, I would be impressed if you got on the water and to any campsite day 1. Like others said, look for something close like Last Chance Bay. The later the day goes, so do the good beaches.

Add real good first aid kit with more than just band aids. Bleed Stop is good to have with butterflies and gauze.

Learn about anchoring up there, the wind and waves can be large and so can Monsoons but your week is traditionally not Monsoon. It a bitch when you beach the boat and the stern is over 90' of water. We camped 8 days on our JC Tritoon and I know I spent at least 2 nights up all night resecuring the boat.

 

[B-RAD77]

There are plenty of great canyons to camp in as you head up river. Last chance, rock creek and Wethererill have all been home for me many times. I agree with find a base camp and explore. Get an anchor with wind protection. and look up! watch out for drain off spots if it rains. I think your only limit is going to be 20 mph

 

[Boat 405]

Lots of lake to see long before escalante. We have our houseboat booked already again for this august. This will be year 37 for me. Don't worry about trying to see as many spots as you can. The trip will go by in a blink. Take a few days to just relax and enjoy. Regardless if you are going a couple of days or ten. It goes by like nothing and leave you wondering where did the time go.

 

[2Driver]

Since you are beach camping off a pontoon, I’m sure you figured out where 10 people are going to dump each day?

 

[King295]

Since you are beach camping off a pontoon, I’m sure you figured out where 10 people are going to dump each day?

You can dump your portable shitters at Dangling Rope. As kids we were always tasked with such.

 

[Ol Man]

You can dump your portable shitters at Dangling Rope. As kids we were always tasked with such.

I was going to point out that you are required to have and use a portable toilet.

Many years ago, when we camped on the lake, we would stay in Oak Canyon, which is just past Rainbow Bridge. Of course that was back when there was a marina there, but there is a canyon at the back that is pretty nice, depending on water depth.

As others have said, you are trying to chew up a lot of lake in a short time. Stop and enjoy and come back again to hit other spots. The key thing is that the ride on the lake is never boring and the scenery always changes. Lots of neat geology.

 

[Ultra247]

i think of Powell in three 50 mile segments. It is roughly 150 miles from Wahweap to Hite. The mile markers 1-50 are on the south end. The lake tends to be large and open. You get Wahweap and Dangling rope. The next mile markers from 50-100 are my favorite. That runs from Dangling Rope to Halls Crossing. This area of the lake has an incredible number of breathtaking canyons with beaches to camp on. It tends to be intermediately traveled. I figured out after a couple of years that people from Arizona and Socal launch at Wahweap. People from Salt Lake City launch at Bullfrog. Traffic picks up a little as you get closer to Bullfrog.
You will learn very quickly that moving camp is a lot of work. The first couple of houseboat trips, we moved everyday to see more of the lake. The last few trips, we picked a great beach and stayed put for a few days. There is plenty to do and explore within 5 miles of any beach on Powell!
The most important thing is to pick a good beach. Do not camp exposed to the lake. Always camp in one of the canyons to shelter you from wind and waves. There are plenty of great sandy beaches that are shielded on three sides and provide awesome shelter.

Enjoy!

 

[JD D05]

i think of Powell in three 50 mile segments. It is roughly 150 miles from Wahweap to Hite. The mile markers 1-50 are on the south end. The lake tends to be large and open. You get Wahweap and Dangling rope. The next mile markers from 50-100 are my favorite. That runs from Dangling Rope to Halls Crossing. This area of the lake has an incredible number of breathtaking canyons with beaches to camp on. It tends to be intermediately traveled. I figured out after a couple of years that people from Arizona and Socal launch at Wahweap. People from Salt Lake City launch at Bullfrog. Traffic picks up a little as you get closer to Bullfrog.
You will learn very quickly that moving camp is a lot of work. The first couple of houseboat trips, we moved everyday to see more of the lake. The last few trips, we picked a great beach and stayed put for a few days. There is plenty to do and explore within 5 miles of any beach on Powell!
The most important thing is to pick a good beach. Do not camp exposed to the lake. Always camp in one of the canyons to shelter you from wind and waves. There are plenty of great sandy beaches that are shielded on three sides and provide awesome shelter.

Enjoy!

I live in Salt Lake and I would say about half maybe more of the people I talk to still go to Wahweep. You get up by Hite and down the San Juan you don't see many boats. I love to take a day and go down past Good Hope Bay you can float all day and see 5 boats maybe.

 

[lake p.a.l.]

1st day find your beach MUCH earlier in the afternoon and ENJOY your afternoon. Then game plan for rest of your trip. Enjoy, be safe. Take an extra prop.

 

[Gramps]

I just saw you will be in a pontoon boat. Do yourself a favor and learn the lake first before going very far up the lake in a pontoon.

 

[cheezpanel]

I would leave him wanting more on the first trip not going straight to the money shot! LOL...

He's blowing right past Rainbow Bridge? Isn't that a first timers right of passage?

But Seriously, the best laid plans at Powell are a total crap shoot on the first few trips, you get distracted quick. I mean he is also blowing past the secret hidden pools at Last chance that we could tell him about, but have to kill him after....

I've been looking to see these secret pools for many years...seen pics, but...
Where in Last Chance? I'll keep it to myself...

 

[cheezpanel]

We get up to the back of Oak Canyon the first day. From there we explore up the lake. Then we usually make our way back to Last Chance and set up camp for a few days and explore from there.

 

[DaveH]

while your plans sound great...the giant unknown factor that will throw all the best intentions out the window...….is the WEATHER.

personally, since you are camping.....I would get up the lake as quickly as possible.

down towards wahweep and antelope, the lake is much more open. if a storm pops up the water can get big fast. further up, say past dangling rope, the lake narrows down with countless fingers to duck into if the weather gets nasty and being narrower doesn't get as rough as further south. ive been there the time of year you are going, and the weather is always a gamble.

do yourself a favor and launch at Antelope Point and cut about 12 miles off the journey up the lake.

 

[DaveH]

oh and if this is your first time...….bring a spare prop.

 

[JD D05]

while your plans sound great...the giant unknown factor that will throw all the best intentions out the window...….is the WEATHER.

personally, since you are camping.....I would get up the lake as quickly as possible.

down towards wahweep and antelope, the lake is much more open. if a storm pops up the water can get big fast. further up, say past dangling rope, the lake narrows down with countless fingers to duck into if the weather gets nasty and being narrower doesn't get as rough as further south. ive been there the time of year you are going, and the weather is always a gamble.

do yourself a favor and launch at Antelope Point and cut about 12 miles off the journey up the lake.

Are you assuming the cut will be closed?

 

[DaveH]

Are you assuming the cut will be closed?

who knows what water levels will be. just because we are having a good winter so far...….doesn't mean it will stay that way and even then...they can always send the water down to Mead.

if the cut is open, it saves time but its still shorter launching from Antelope.

 

[Riverdude]

You need to take more vacation days ! 3 1/2-4 days isn’t enough time to enjoy the place. At least 7 to 10 days just to check out the lower half of the Lake. Have a great time ! And watch the Weather.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

 

[JD D05]

who knows what water levels will be. just because we are having a good winter so far...….doesn't mean it will stay that way and even then...they can always send the water down to Mead.

if the cut is open, it saves time but its still shorter launching from Antelope.

It was down all year last year and the cut was open. I understand it is shorter I just didn't think it was 12 miles.

 

[Not Important]

You need to take more vacation days ! 3 1/2-4 days isn’t enough time to enjoy the place. At least 7 to 10 days just to check out the lower half of the Lake. Have a great time ! And watch the Weather.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

This is just our first venture out there, the next trip will likely be many more days. Really, this trip is just to get a feel for what to bring and do on a much longer trip.

-Mike

 

[JD D05]

This is just our first venture out there, the next trip will likely be many more days. Really, this trip is just to get a feel for what to bring and do on a much longer trip.

-Mike

I understand why folks are saying stay closer, but if you want to see Escalante than go for it.

 

[stephenkatsea]

As previously mentioned, a very well stocked First Aid Kit. Be sure to include Benadryl. Adverse reactions to insect bites and stings can ruin an entire trip.

 

[mesquito_creek]

There is no wrong answer to "where should I go on Lake Powell".

Sea Tow is great but at the end of the day there are many things that could go wrong. SeaTow may or may not be able to help you with or without Sat phones and radios. If one of those things happens you will have to dip into you "Karma" bank and depend on other boaters to help you out. Its why I still stop and assist people everywhere I go on the water and will tow someone if that is the solution.

 

[JD D05]

There is no wrong answer to "where should I go on Lake Powell".

Sea Tow is great but at the end of the day there are many things that could go wrong. SeaTow may or may not be able to help you with or without Sat phones and radios. If one of those things happens you will have to dip into you "Karma" bank and depend on other boaters to help you out. Its why I still stop and assist people everywhere I go on the water and will tow someone if that is the solution.

When I broke down I got a message to get a tow and they never came. We also had a houseboat stuck right around the corner from the marina and waited 5 hours for assistance and they never showed up.

 

[mesquito_creek]

When I broke down I got a message to get a tow and they never came. We also had a houseboat stuck right around the corner from the marina and waited 5 hours for assistance and they never showed up.

Still better than the "best day at work"!.... LOL... In terms of a "survival situation", look to the bright side, you won't run out of water!