Boat Storage at Lake Powell

Peter & Judy · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 11:59 am Post subject: Boat Storage at Lake Powell

We are planning our first C-Dory adventure on Lake Powell next October. We spent about 10 days there in 2007 exploring the canyon in typical Canadian style in our red canoe. We paddled from Halls Crossing to the end of the Escalante Canyon and back. This time we would like to take our C-Dory as our mothership and our kayaks to explore the side canyons. We would like to start at Bullfrog and then head south for about 2 weeks. Once we have finished this journey we would like to explore the canyon country in SW Utah for another 2 weeks in our truck camper. We would like to leave out boat at Bullfrog.

First Question. Any thoughts on Safe Boat storage at BullFrog for 2 weeks?

Second Question. Recommendations as to good side canyons to visit and anchor the C-Dory with good options to hike and kayak.

Thank you in advance for your responses.

colbysmith · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 12:36 pm Post subject:

I'm pretty sure there is storage right there in Bullfrog, but not being a local to there, couldn't tell you the name of the places. As for other areas to land explore, Canyon Lands National Park is pretty nice. There are a couple of trails that are best in an SUV, but we did them in our Toyota Highlander. (Good weather, as those roads wouldn't be passable in a regular car during inclement weather.) The Shafer Trail and then I believe it was called the Long Canyon Trail are the two I'm thinking of. I don't think you could get your truck camper down the Long Canyon Trail due to one area where you are driving between two boulders laying together forming a tight tunnel. But I think you'd do fine on the Shafer trail. You also have the Arches National Park nearby. Lots of good hiking in that area too. (Canyon Lands also has plenty of places to hike.) As for water canyons, they all seem to be interesting to go back and explore. I always liked Escalante the best, but sounds like you've done some in that one. Colby

Peter & Judy · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 1:09 pm Post subject:

Thanks Colby,

I am looking at Google Earth and there seems to be lots of parking there. I was just wondering about C-Brats experiences there with the Marina or security.

We are planning the head to SW Utah this time. We have explored Moab, Arches, Canyonlands, Capital Reef in the past. This year we are hoping to head west and explore Bryce Canyon, Zion and area.

Marco Flamingo · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 2:13 pm Post subject:

>Recommendations as to good side canyons to visit and anchor the C-Dory with good options to hike and kayak. <

Labyrinth Slot Canyon (even too narrow for a CD 16). Here's the details.

http://www.backcountrycow.com/blog/2017/labyrinth-slot-canyon-lake-powell-ut

We bought a Lake Powell guide (which I can't find right now), that was written by a hiker. Almost everything in the book related to what kind of hike was at the end of a particular canyon. Some of the hikes were impossible because of water level, some required climbing gear, but plenty were just interesting hikes in lonely places.

Mark

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 5:03 pm Post subject:

There are two or three indoor storage facilities near Bullfrog, but I don’t know anything about them. I believe Thataway (Bob and Marie Austin) used a storage site near Wahweap, so they might be able to tell you what to look for.

thataway · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 5:08 pm Post subject:

The ability to get boats back in canyons depends on the level of the lake. A Topo map helps with that--to see what is available. Most canyons which have a fairly level beach at the head or near, can be hiked.

The book Marco refers to is: //Boater's Guide to Lake Powell. It is an essential. Also the Stan Jones Map. I also use the "Fishing N Maps". Also the Gaia Maps are downloadable and scalable.

Also web sites with google there are several Sou th, and Northl And a couple more The topo maps will also help you to determine the easiest or more difficult hikes. We have friends who have made over 100 hikes from the lake--many to the rim.

Also it you have the time, I would do the San Juan Arm.

In State Line I highly recommend Big Water Boat Storage. I have left both my boats and RV there. Reasonable, secure, great people and indoor storage. Also Antelope Marina has secure storage. But these are on the South end.

I have a lot of books and probably some out of print. I can send these for the cost of postage and a donation to the C Brat site...I am on the road, but when I am home, I can list and innumerate these. It is very unlikely I can ever return there due to health. I can also give some annotation when I return home about various hikes we have made, from my notes

Enjoy some of our favorite waters~!

colbysmith · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 5:15 pm Post subject:

Bryce and Zion are beautiful. We didn't have a lot of time, but swung by them on the way back from the California Delta cruise last year. They can be quite busy, but it was still early in the season when we were there. (April). Mesa Verde National Park is nice also, if you have time and you don't feel it's too far out of your way. We actually spent more time there looking at the many Indian Ruins. At Mesa Verde, you would need to drop your boat (any trailer) in one of the lots. (Either at the main entrance visitor center, or at a special trailer lot just before entering the switchbacks up the mountian.) Zion has a free shuttle bus system, that you take around and can get off at various stops to hike the trails. Beautiful Park. (But then so is Bryce!) There is a narrow and long tunnel at the east entrance to Zion, and if you elect to drive that route thru there, you need to purchase a special pass towing a trailer, or oversized vehicles. Not expensive, but you still have to get it... Bryce is quite beautiful, and you can tow your trailer thru there, or find a lot to drop it in.
BTW, here are three boat storage areas by Bullfrog. Not sure where you are thinking about launching, but Bullfrog is in the middle of the Lake, and perhaps centrally located to everything else. The west end of the lake, would be Wahweep and you could probably google for storage areas in Page Arizona. I don't think there is much on the east end. Colby

http://www.lakepowellmarinas.com/marina-services/bullfrog-halls-crossing-north-lake-powell-ut/dry-storage/
http://offshoremarina.com/boat-storage/
http://www.ticaboo.com/offshore-marina/

thataway · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 5:20 pm Post subject:

To amend Colby's comment about the Zion-Mt Caramel tunnel: "Vehicles over 13 feet 1 inch tall, Semi-trucks, vehicles carrying hazardous materials, vehicles weighing more than 50,000 pounds, single vehicles over 40 feet long, combined vehicles over 50 feet long are prohibited...this may mean a back track over 100 miles in some cases. We have been thru it several times with RV, and then shifted the boat to our "tow car"...

colbysmith · Posted: Thu Jan 04, 2018 5:27 pm Post subject:

Bob's correct. I forgot there are restrictions for vehicles larger than an RV or towed trailer. You can go to this website to get all the specifics.
https://www.nps.gov/zion/planyourvisit/the-zion-mount-carmel-tunnel.htm

Discovery · Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2018 2:35 pm Post subject:

http://offshoremarina.com/boat-storage/

Offshore Marina, a few miles west of Bullfrog should fulfill all your storage needs.

There also is Hanksville, Utah. Where there are a couple of storage areas. Hanksville would be best if you don't want to go all the way back to Bullfrog to pick up your boat again. It's at the junction of Hwy 24 and Hwy 95.

If you want, I could store the boat at our place, but it's in Loa, Utah. About 125 miles from Bullfrog. Were on Hwy 24. Google it. If your going on to Bryce and Zion, our place might fit your needs and the price would be right, Free. We have had a lot of C-Brats stop by over the years.