Lake Powell

[69hondo]

Planning on going to lake Powell next year around the 4th of July. I think we are going to take the motorhome and stay at wahweap rv campground. Probably be a decent sized group with 4 or 5 boats. This will be my first trip there. Any lake Powell regulars give me some insight on what to see and do our not do. Thanks, Nick

 

[Squirtsfar]

We used to go to Powell and camp all of the time. I never stayed in the RV Camp Ground. We always stayed on the Beach at Lone Rock. I preferred that. It was really nice to have you boat anchored right in front of your camper. The only bummer is you will be dry camping. The other thing about Powell is, the storms come up really fast. We were out with a group of friends in our 19' Hallett Jet Boat one afternoon and we noticed a storm off in the distance. We started to head for a cove but by the time we got there the rollers were all of 5'. I was tail dragging just trying to get in but a wave broke over the front. It shut the motor off, gave my wife a bloody nose and almost washed our dog out of the boat. :yikes :thumbsdown Luckily I was able to get it started and blast for the beach! I beached it about 5' from the water.



One good thing out of that experience is that my wife let me get a bigger boat!!!!



I do miss that little Hallett though...

 

[last1]

We used to go to Powell and camp all of the time. I never stayed in the RV Camp Ground. We always stayed on the Beach at Lone Rock. I preferred that. It was really nice to have you boat anchored right in front of your camper. The only bummer is you will be dry camping. The other thing about Powell is, the storms come up really fast. We were out with a group of friends in our 19' Hallett Jet Boat one afternoon and we noticed a storm off in the distance. We started to head for a cove but by the time we got there the rollers were all of 5'. I was tail dragging just trying to get in but a wave broke over the front. It shut the motor off, gave my wife a bloody nose and almost washed our dog out of the boat. :yikes :thumbsdown Luckily I was able to get it started and blast for the beach! I beached it about 5' from the water.



One good thing out of that experience is that my wife let me get a bigger boat!!!!



I do miss that little Hallett though...

I do miss camping on that beach, those were some good times. I think the water is to low to camp there now.

 

[Echo Lodge]

Must see: Navajo Canyon

[video=youtube;_2b2wbL_zeI]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2b2wbL_zeI[/video]

 

[2FORCEFULL]

Planning on going to lake Powell next year around the 4th of July. I think we are going to take the motorhome and stay at wahweap rv campground. Probably be a decent sized group with 4 or 5 boats. This will be my first trip there. Any lake Powell regulars give me some insight on what to see and do our not do. Thanks, Nick

we stayed there...:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

big pull through rv spots....


we went all the way up to bull frog...


word of caution.... watch out for the tour boat:yikes:yikes:yikes

 

[DaveH]

just got back from powell last week. have done it in the RV campground at Wahweep, dry camping on the lake, and houseboats.

all have their pros/cons. but its an incredible lake and you cant go wrong no matter which way you go. the RV campground has easy access to fuel, ice and other amenities.

 

[McKay]

Mid Mornings the boat chop can be nasty for the first ten miles out of Antelope/Whaweap. Lunch or Dinner at the floating restaurant at Antelope is good. Navaho canyon is great. Nice big beach to hang out on. Antelope Canyon is a ball, not too long but fun to run at some speed. Cathedral canyon is great. Getting up the San Jaun is fun as I have had days once I get 10 miles up I did not see another boat the rest of the day. (Depending on your fuel capacity fuel in Dangling Rope) Escalante is one of my favorites, specifically Davis Gultch in the Escalante Arm. When I come from the other way we park the houseboat in Iceberg often. Watch the weather and be careful where you park the boat if in the ends of canyons.

 

[69hondo]

we stayed there...[emoji106][emoji106][emoji106]

big pull through rv spots....


we went all the way up to bull frog...


word of caution.... watch out for the tour boat:yikes:yikes:yikes

Did you get a slip for the boat?

 

[2FORCEFULL]

just got back from powell last week. have done it in the RV campground at Wahweep, dry camping on the lake, and houseboats.

all have their pros/cons. but its an incredible lake and you cant go wrong no matter which way you go. the RV campground has easy access to fuel, ice and other amenities.

what do you think of the tour boat rollers

 

[69hondo]

Awesome guys, thanks. This is what I was hoping for. I have been wanting to go for many years.

 

[2FORCEFULL]

Did you get a slip for the boat?

no it was easy walking distance to the rv spot... we launched with the rv.. then took it back to the spot and pluged it in so it was nice and cool when we got off the lake

 

[Ibeplumbing]

what do you think of the tour boat rollers

Those are huge! Not sure how big they would measure but when you see them you run. We hit them for the first time in our 21ft commander in the early 90's, not fun

 

[Tamalewagon]

We are going this August out of Antelope (houseboat). I'll do some recon for you. It'll be rough but someone has to take one for the team.

 

[69hondo]

We are going this August out of Antelope (houseboat). I'll do some recon for you. It'll be rough but someone has to take one for the team.

That would be awesome, thanks[emoji106]

 

[3queens]

get a map !!!!!! the lake is well marked but a map is a must have

don't pass gas station without topping off !!!

here's some pics from our trip a while back

http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/showthread.php?76917-(pics)-WARRNING-BOATING-CONTENT

they call the channel between antelope and main body of water the "Maytag" if the tour boat
goes thru its every bit a Maytag even without ( short run not to worry ) can be a little bumpy

:thumbup:

 

[McKay]

get a map !!!!!! the lake is well marked but a map is a must have

don't pass gas station without topping off !!!

here's some pics from our trip a while back

http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/showthread.php?76917-(pics)-WARRNING-BOATING-CONTENT

they call the channel between antelope and main body of water the "Maytag" if the tour boat
goes thru its every bit a Maytag even without ( short run not to worry ) can be a little bumpy

:thumbup:

For sure have a map. I have a paper map for just in case and have not pulled it out in years. I have an ipad mini suction cupped to my dash with the $50 Navionics app. It tracks and you can plot. Plus it has a GPS speedometer in the corner which is nice. You don't need cell service for it to work but you do need an ipad with a cell chip in it or it won't have GPS. The only negative to the Navionics app is depending on the zoom that you have it set to it can sometimes be troublesome to read canyon names. For that there is a Lake Powell Map App that is cheap.

 

[69hondo]

get a map !!!!!! the lake is well marked but a map is a must have

don't pass gas station without topping off !!!

here's some pics from our trip a while back

http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/showthread.php?76917-(pics)-WARRNING-BOATING-CONTENT

they call the channel between antelope and main body of water the "Maytag" if the tour boat
goes thru its every bit a Maytag even without ( short run not to worry ) can be a little bumpy

:thumbup:

Beautiful pictures. I cant wait to go. I will make sure to get a good map. I was wondering about gas on the water. Thanks

 

[McKay]

For Fuel you have Wahweap, Antelope, Dangling Rope, Halls Crossing, & Bull Frog. I don't think there is any services at Hite anymore but I could easily be wrong on that as I have not been up there in years.

 

[DaveH]

oh one other thing...and the national park service should be flogged for this........

NEVER let your guard down when cruising up the lake. even in the middle of some of the bigger bodies, there are rocks or shallow spots THAT AREN'T MARKED. In fact, sadly, i saw someone DIE last year....hitting a submerged obstacle, throwing a passenger in an open bow out of the boat and then being run over.

The NPS, has done abysmal job of marking the obstacles. i have even seen where some boaters have "donated" their own floating devices and marked reef/rock outcrops. always be vigilant, there is tons of stuff out there especially with the lake as low as it is.

I have no idea what the NPS does with the money they rake in (it was $40 for a week pass for my truck/boat) but they sure as hell aren't doing safety any justice. they also have let the channel marker buoys go into disrepair and many of them (they all used to be illuminated) no longer work at night.

what a joke the NPS has become.

highlight of your trip should center around the Escalante River, about 75 miles one way from the damn.

 

[B-RAD77]

just got back last night. I've been going to Powell pretty much all my life. (nice to meet you McKay) I usually launch at Bullfrog and beach camp were ever we happen to be when it gets dark but lately have been spending most of our time in the Escalante river arm. I'm going to start a new tread in a little while after I down load our cameras and phones.

 

[jet496]

I've stayed at the RV park many times. It's not right on the water, but they have a shuttle bus that drives by every 20 minutes or so. You can hang out in the resort pool & have drinks brought out to you & have dinner at their restaurant (excellent as I remember) while your their too. We even rented a room for a night or two because we had been in the motorhome for 2 weeks & needed a break. I love that place.

The rollers from the tour boat going though the narrows out to Padre Bay can definitely be hairy & beat the hell out of you. I lost a boat once that we were dragging behind a houseboat due to the heavy waves & the rope broke. Just be on your toes.

Gas up at Dangling Rope so you can check out all the canyons between there & Wahweap. We cruised all the way up to Bull Frog once just to see the whole lake but I like the southern part of the lake from Rainbow Bridge on down the best.

Also, always be looking for safe havens to hide from the storms. I'm always checking it out & it has saved our asses many times by knowing where to go until it blows over.

 

[tkrrox]

just got back last night. I've been going to Powell pretty much all my life. (nice to meet you McKay) I usually launch at Bullfrog and beach camp were ever we happen to be when it gets dark but lately have been spending most of our time in the Escalante river arm. I'm going to start a new tread in a little while after I down load our cameras and phones.

Is escalate the one with the Indian ruins up on the bluffs? I'm planning on doing a overnight er up that way. Go to halls crossing (92 octane) then head into escalate or San Juan. I'm not sure which is better and having a hard time finding good info

 

[77charger]

Even though i can go from lone rock to escalante and cruise around a couple of coves and back to lone rock on a full tank with fuel to spare i always stop at dangling rope to top it off i have 2 18 gallon tanks which is nice cause i can switch tanks or know i have one thats is full.Besides it makes a great stop to grab a bite to eat too.Theres no fuel up san juan arm.I usually see people take a couple 5 gallon cans on swim steps.

Few years ago i didnt take my boat rode with in my brothers boat and my uncle took his my brother was thinking he gets good milage signals at the DR turn off im good on fuel my uncle waves back yeh me too.At that point i shook my head and said no way.Everyone was telling me shut up as we were headed to cathedral in the desert and that they are are gonna be fine on fuel with my mom telling me that they can get a hose and siphon fuel LOL.I went on a bit but by then too late.entering escalante there guages were down to a 1/4 about a 1/2 mile to make it into the cathedral they turned around and were paniced about fuel.Made it out and both got boats on plane and took it at best rpm for max saving along with no moving the throttles.One boat ran out as it pulled to pump the other never realized he held that much fuel as he never put that much in.Both were on E for the last 10-12 miles.Felt good as they said yeh we should have stopped for gas.

Will be out there the first week of august hopefully do an overnighter there usually a good time.

 

[tkrrox]

i hold 100 gallons but i also have a 572 in it...i'm hoping 1mpg

 

[pipemn]

Be aware fuel not always available at dangling rope.year before last we were there and the generator was down for 3 days.people were camped on docks waiting for fuel.still a great trip.one bad thing all the ice cream and ice melted.

 

[B-RAD77]

Is escalate the one with the Indian ruins up on the bluffs? I'm planning on doing a overnight er up that way. Go to halls crossing (92 octane) then head into escalate or San Juan. I'm not sure which is better and having a hard time finding good info

Yes Three roof ruins are about 12-15 miles from the mouth of Escalate river. last weekend the NPS had it closed and roped off as the water is too low

 

[B-RAD77]

oops wrong photo try this one
this is it

 

[B-RAD77]

Is escalate the one with the Indian ruins up on the bluffs? I'm planning on doing a overnight er up that way. Go to halls crossing (92 octane) then head into escalate or San Juan. I'm not sure which is better and having a hard time finding good info

Halls Crossing is about 25 miles to Escalante. Halls to San Juan is about 36 miles. Halls to Dangling rope is about 50 miles. I don't go up the San Juan unless I have another boat with a big gas tank is with me. Many years ago I hooked up with a dude from the old RiverracerX.com forums, the water was a lot nigher then and we went up the San Juan to where the depth finder said 8'. Indians where fishing on the banks looking at my old DCB and his Sleek Craft like we were crazy when I got back to Dangling my 50 gallon tank took 49 gallons it had a 502. there is about 55 miles not including side canyons of boatable water up the San Juan river you don't see to many boats past 10 miles and like none past 20 miles. There are no services up there

 

[Sleek-Jet]

The Navajos tried putting a Marina in at the end ofnthe San Juan arm about 25 years ago, lasted a couple of seasons. It is very remote on that part of the lake.

 

[rvrmom]

Here is my thread I started a few years ago. Lot's and lot's of good info the inmates gave me. I re-capped towards the end.

http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/showthread.php?77093-Beater-boat-vs-Powell/page12

Here's the thread of my pic's I posted when we got home

http://www.riverdavesplace.com/forums/showthread.php?81976-Powell-Pics

 

[tkrrox]

oops wrong photo try this one View attachment 418360
this is it

So I can't even get to them with the kids???
Anything else worth seeing?

 

[69hondo]

Great info everyone. I am enjoying reading everyone's experiences and seeing the pictures. Anyone have a shot of the tour boat wake. Its got me a little worried.

 

[Gramps]

Great info everyone. I am enjoying reading everyone's experiences and seeing the pictures. Anyone have a shot of the tour boat wake. Its got me a little worried.

just use common sense with the tour boat wakes, I've been in my 18 ft. bass boat and had no problems with them.

 

[B-RAD77]

So I can't even get to them with the kids???
Anything else worth seeing?

Hell yes, all the side canyons are awesome. As you head up the Escalante, left side of the river first canyon is Indian creek about 1.5 miles from mouth. it has a water cave in the end but lower water may expose a tree in it. Its not that spectacular. Next canyon is Clear creek 2.5 miles from mouth this is the one that has the Cathedral in the desert in the end. It looks like the canyon ends but then you'll notice a little crack you can pass through and your boat will be floating in a space where you don't have a clear view of the sky huge red cliffs tower above you. Next one up Is Davis gulch 5.5 miles from the mouth. this one has Lagorce arch in it. its really cool. next one is 50 mile Canyon 7 miles from the mouth again with all the twist and turns its cool. there is probably the best camp/ anchor point in this bitchin water cave in this canyon. there are a few more equally cool canyons to explore. get out and hike a little, there are ruins and arches all over the place.

 

[tkrrox]

Hell yes, all the side canyons are awesome. As you head up the Escalante, left side of the river first canyon is Indian creek about 1.5 miles from mouth. it has a water cave in the end but lower water may expose a tree in it. Its not that spectacular. Next canyon is Clear creek 2.5 miles from mouth this is the one that has the Cathedral in the desert in the end. It looks like the canyon ends but then you'll notice a little crack you can pass through and your boat will be floating in a space where you don't have a clear view of the sky huge red cliffs tower above you. Next one up Is Davis gulch 5.5 miles from the mouth. this one has Lagorce arch in it. its really cool. next one is 50 mile Canyon 7 miles from the mouth again with all the twist and turns its cool. there is probably the best camp/ anchor point in this bitchin water cave in this canyon. there are a few more equally cool canyons to explore. get out and hike a little, there are ruins and arches all over the place.

Awesome can't wait.

 

[McKay]

I find it surprising that most say they like the Wahweap side of the lake better. We much prefer the bullfrog side for the spectacular straight wall cliffs. Also Bullfrog has much less traffic. I was out of Antelope last weekend as I was tagging along with some friends. Had a good time down that way however I am much more excited to get back the bullfrog side this weekend. That boat chop in the mornings for that first 10 miles or so out of Antelope/Whaweap can be brutal and I'm in a 28 footer. Last weekend was not terrible surprisingly, but we ran down to Antelope for lunch the previous friday and it was unbelievable. The tour boat had been through there about 10 min in front of us and then a 50' & 60' cruiser had just gone through plus all the other houseboats. I got caught off guard a little bit and aired my boat out a few times.

 

[Tamalewagon]

Is it feasible when taking a houseboat out of Antelope to camp in the Bradley Canyon pocket of Last Chance Bay? I know that's a bit of a hike but I love it up there. How long in your opinion would it take to get there in the houseboat from Antelope?

 

[Motor Boater]

Is it feasible when taking a houseboat out of Antelope to camp in the Bradley Canyon pocket of Last Chance Bay? I know that's a bit of a hike but I love it up there. How long in your opinion would it take to get there in the houseboat from Antelope?

Last chance is not very far at all. Probably a 3 hour cruise in a houseboat.

 

[Tamalewagon]

Where are the best houseboat campsites to hit within the lower 40-50 miles?