Owyhee in the spring?

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Thu Oct 04, 2007 10:01 am Post subject: Owyhee in the spring?

John's post about Brownlee got me to thinking about a trip that I have wanted to take for years. Anyone interested in taking a cruise up Owyhee Reservoir? It's one of those marvelous places that can best be described as "you can't get there from here". Probably some side trips would be in order, too. Leslie Gulch and Succor Creek. For any of the geology folks (Bill and El) the Honeycombs are reported by Oregon Field Guide to be spectacular. I believe there are petroglphs and other First Nation/Native American attractions.

Fishing is for pan fish, bass and catfish, with an excellent brown trout fishery below the dam.

The reservoir looks to be about 40 miles long. I believe there is fuel at the north end.

Steve

johnf · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:31 am Post subject:

Wow Steve...just looked that up on google and I like it!

Would love to get over there and visit as well. When you thinking about going?

John

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 12:52 am Post subject: Owyhee in the spring?

John,

So if springers are done by Aprilish, and the Shad start getting serious in June, let's think about sometime in May. Maybe around Memorial Day.

Now that I have retired, I have a few options, so if there is a date that works best for others, I would be open to that.

Steve

johnf · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 8:44 am Post subject:

That would be nice to have 3 days there and we might take one vacation day to really enjoy it.

Will keep this on the radar for next May.

Thanks,

John

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 11:51 am Post subject: Owyhee links...

Greets,

Here are some links to the Owyhee country. The last one has some nice photo's of the area in general.

Steve

http://www.lakeowyheeresort.com/

http://www.oregonstateparks.org/images/pdf/owyhee_full.pdf

http://www.strengthinperspective.com/mpfindor/mpgal17/mpgal17.html

AstoriaDave · Posted: Fri Oct 05, 2007 1:44 pm Post subject:

The lake is a terrific boating paradise in late spring. Call the State Park before you commit, to get an assessment of the lake level. They draw it down 60 feet or more in the winter, and it fills as snowmelt occurs, which varies considerably from year to year. The ramp at Leslie Gulch provides good access to the upper end, but the road in is often questionable early so I'd avoid that unless you are prepared for it.

The other caveat, at low water, is that the lake has a few spots where keel inspectors (rocks) are common. I don't think there is a chart for it, but topographical maps may be useful there.

Be sure to check out the hot springs uplake a bit on the left side from Leslie Gulch, and the airport downlake a few miles from LG.

Couple side canyons are worth a stroll, taking care about awakening rattlers.

johnf · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 12:28 pm Post subject:

Loved the links and the information as well.

Here's another place I now have on "the list"...just need to see if I can purchase some more time at the grocery store!

Sounds like a end of May trip might be fantastic!

Thanks,

John

Wandering Sagebrush · Posted: Sat Oct 06, 2007 1:18 pm Post subject: Owyhee links...

John, et all:

If you google "Owyhee photos", there are a number of different sites out there that cover the area. Most are on the canyon and surrounding territory, but folks will get an idea of the beauty of SE Oregon.

Steve

El and Bill · Posted: Tue Oct 09, 2007 2:10 pm Post subject:

We're on the 'interested' list, for sure. We'll be reading your posts if you put together a trip.