08/29 - 10/01 - Grand Slam Western Lakes 2015

I'm starting to seriously think about this trip. I missed the last one or two Lake Powell gatherings and was thinking about this year and then learned of this combined trip. It sounds great! I'm looking into arranging things with work, which I think I can do.

I'm hoping as the dates get closer that the water levels and other details are still looking good. Thanks for getting this idea going! Better to travel with some company than going alone the whole time.

-Jeff
 
We have not been on any Brat gatherings, so we are going to do this one even if we are the are the only ones there. The last time we were there (7 or 8 years ago) we had a 22, so staying on the boat worked well. Now we have a 16 cruiser, so the logistics become more interesting. Since it is about 450 miles from Boise to Bridge Bay, our thought was to stay in a cabin at Lake Lodge the first night and then launch early the next day. All the cabins at Lake Lodge are sold out for the entire time period. We were able to get one at Canyon on the 30th, so I booked it. So if any of you are looking for shore lodging for a night or two, you should probably look soon. I could not remember if they have shore power at Bridge Bay, the only marina on the lake unless something has changed in the past few years, so I called the 800 #, and lady who answered did not know what shore power is. However I found out that the marina will open June 15, and the direct # there is 307-242-3876. So that will be the place to get the details, and I believe reserve a slip. As I recall the last time there was a lot of paperwork, inspections, stickers to buy etc, and that was before invasive species was an issue. Since this marina is managed by the feds, my guess is they will inspect there. I'm guessing the Bozeman person can shed some light on all the procedures too. So we will launch on the morning of the 31st and spend 2 nights on the boat, retrieve late on Wednesday, start home to be back in Boise on Thursday night.
Jack
 
jlastofka":2islveir said:
I'm starting to seriously think about this trip. I missed the last one or two Lake Powell gatherings and was thinking about this year and then learned of this combined trip. It sounds great! I'm looking into arranging things with work, which I think I can do.

I'm hoping as the dates get closer that the water levels and other details are still looking good. Thanks for getting this idea going! Better to travel with some company than going alone the whole time.

-Jeff
Click to expand...

It will be great to see you again Jeff.
 
jack keifer":1oz8zwb6 said:
We have not been on any Brat gatherings, so we are going to do this one even if we are the are the only ones there. The last time we were there (7 or 8 years ago) we had a 22, so staying on the boat worked well. Now we have a 16 cruiser, so the logistics become more interesting. Since it is about 450 miles from Boise to Bridge Bay, our thought was to stay in a cabin at Lake Lodge the first night and then launch early the next day. All the cabins at Lake Lodge are sold out for the entire time period. We were able to get one at Canyon on the 30th, so I booked it. So if any of you are looking for shore lodging for a night or two, you should probably look soon. I could not remember if they have shore power at Bridge Bay, the only marina on the lake unless something has changed in the past few years, so I called the 800 #, and lady who answered did not know what shore power is. However I found out that the marina will open June 15, and the direct # there is 307-242-3876. So that will be the place to get the details, and I believe reserve a slip. As I recall the last time there was a lot of paperwork, inspections, stickers to buy etc, and that was before invasive species was an issue. Since this marina is managed by the feds, my guess is they will inspect there. I'm guessing the Bozeman person can shed some light on all the procedures too. So we will launch on the morning of the 31st and spend 2 nights on the boat, retrieve late on Wednesday, start home to be back in Boise on Thursday night.
Jack
Click to expand...

There is shore power.
You will have to have an inspection before you can launch be sure to get there before 4:00pm.
 
I'm glad to read that several boats are seriously considering this. We plan to do it and always like meeting other Brats. It's always a good time, and the added safety factor is a nice benefit. Looking forward to seeing all of you!

Rob
 
The marina at Bridge Bay has shore power and water; great docks. No nearby showers, though. There are almost always transient slips available.

At Jackson Lake in the Tetons, Colter Bay is the only marina on the lake that has slips, and only 6 transient slips (they go fast). There is no dedicated power pedestals at the transient slips, but you can usually find something on C or D docks. There are showers and a laundromat up near the grocery store (a short walk from the marina). Leeks marina has only mooring balls, and no other facilities except a good pizza restaurant.
 
Greetings from Montana. Here is some more Yellowstone Bridge Bay Marina/Lake Information to add to the previous post by others.

1. Inspections and permits - Boats must be inspected by a resource Ranger at the Bridge Bay Marina Ranger Station before they can be launched. Inspections close at 4:PM, the Ranger Station closes at 4:30 pm, this is where you will get both your boat permit and inspection sticker. Same goes for kayaks and canoes.
2. Marina office - Usually open till 5:00 pm or much later early in the season, this is where you pay for your slip (this is not the same people that provide the boat inspections and back country permits). 307-242-3876
3. Restrooms – The NPS maintains heated restrooms at the marina, a bit crude and no hot water. The Lake Lodge has a laundromat and nicer restrooms.
4. Showers- Showers are at the Fishing Bridge RV Park about a 15 minute drive north from the marina. I think they are around $4.00 - http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodge ... ge-rv-park
5. Power - At the marina there is shore power and water. You will need the special 30 - 40 amp marine plug to connect to shore power (not the same as an RV park plug/adapter, there is no 110v outlet).
6. Docks and slips – The docks are super high quality, they look like teak. Since the recession they never fill the marina. B-dock is the transient dock and all the slips hold 2 boats. If you want a single boat slip (your neighbor can’t bang into your boat) just pick out a vacant slip when you get there and ask if it’s available.
7. Backcountry permits - To spend the night on the lake in the back country (not at the Marina) you will need a back country permit. Back country permits are no longer free, this year for the first time they are charging $3.00 per person for a back country permit - http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/b ... hiking.htm
8. Backcountry docks – Unfortunately the Feds don’t allow you to anchor out on the lake overnight anywhere you chose (this is a highly protected environment), you have to be assigned a permit for a specific anchorage/dock site. There are 3 back country overnight docks, one day use only dock and several anchorages. Listed here - http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/u ... r_2012.pdf
9. Dogs and Cats - Pets are allowed on the boats but not off the boat on a backcountry beach or at a back country boat dock.
10. Bears - If you plan on hiking on any trail you will need to have bear spray. To wonder around without bear spray is like boating with no PFD on board. Bear spray is available in all the park stores approx. $35.00 - $45.00.
11. Major shopping - Cody Wyoming is 80 miles east, lots of stores and museums. The park stores are pretty well stocked - http://www.codychamber.org
12. Cell phones – There is cell service in the marina now thanks to a recent and very controversial cell tower. BB service available with a booster in the marina, without a booster out on the lake.
13. Restaurants – The Lake hotel restaurant is upscale and swank. Live piano music in the lobby and a fun place to just hang out and enjoy the evening and a view of the lake. Around the corner is the Lake Lodge, rustic atmosphere with a roaring fire on cold days and a very nice cafeteria that is reasonably priced, lake view dining on a budget.
14. Lodging/cabins – Things book up a year in advance as others have noted. Sometimes you can get lucky if there are cancellations. Check back often as things do change. You can boat camp in the campground at the marina as an option if you arrive too late to get in the water - http://www.yellowstonenationalparklodge ... dge-cabins
15. Weather - September can be very cool in Yellowstone (mornings in the 30s), bring a heater. We run our shore power heater every morning July, August and September.

Some feel it’s a hassle to get all the permits to boat and stay overnight in the backcountry but it is well worth it. The NPS struggles with balancing preservation with recreation, It’s a tough job. Whatever the hassle and cost, it’s been very much worth it for us. I worked in YSNP in 1978 and took my first paddle on YSL that year. We boat, camp, hike or ski in the park just about every month of the year. There is nothing like floating your boat on the top of the world’s largest active super volcano, surrounded by the largest concentration of wolves and grizzly bears in the lower 48. Come visit and enjoy.
 
journey on":2u8pzh62 said:
Journey On is aiming for Lake Powell. We'll be there starting the week of the 27th.

From what marina will most be launching?

Boris
Click to expand...

Boris, my guess is that it's an even split between Page and Bullfrog, with maybe a few at Hall's Crossing. Page has the advantage of nearby shopping for those who need provisions.
 
Haven't previous gathering at Powell been later in September? Weather doesn't (usually) start to change until October - ( but who knows this year.) As quick as that schedule is, it doesn't leave much time for boating on Flaming George.

Chuck
 
Maybe it's just me, but it looks like there is some potential for confusion. There is the Grand Slam thread (this one, which has the official dates, Lake Powell starting September 19), and then there are two other Lake Powell 2015 threads (which are short and "unofficial").

At first a later date was considered for Powell (September 26), but then it was changed to September 19 (all in this thread) in order to be at Yellowstone earlier because of various factors at Yellowstone. Some folks are going to do the whole "Grand Slam," so it all had to be coordinated.

I've stayed into October each time I've been at Powell, and I agree the weather is nice then. On the other hand, the water should be warmer for swimming in mid/late September, so there is that :thup
 
journey on":2kq1gu0e said:
Just to show how much I know, what is the launch for Page: Antelope Point or Wahweap? How do we join up with whoever is there?

Boris
Click to expand...

Hi Boris,

It is all somewhat casual, which works well since people show up from distant points, and launch at various times/places. However that said, I think most folks who are launching from the Page end, launch either at the Wahweap or State Line ramps. These ramps are on the same road, probably less than a mile apart and about 5-10 miles from downtown Page. Wahweap is probably the most popular one. Oftentimes folks will spend the previous night in the Wahweap campground (which is right between those two ramps in the GCRA).

The "real" meeting place is the Oak Canyon (bay) beaching point, for the Saturday evening potluck (September 19 this year). At that point everyone can meet up, despite disparate launch times and places. The exact beach varies due to the fact that they change at various water levels, but it is always in that big bay (called Oak Canyon). There is also one of the "potti islands" in that bay, which is an easy place to tie up for a moment if you want to stop on your way into the beach, contact others (if you can't see them) while not underway, etc. (VHF on the lake is very spotty unless you are in the same place, due to canyons.)

I think most folks who are arriving "just in time" for the gathering will launch on Friday and either anchor somewhere on the way to Oak or go all the way to Oak to get settled in (depending on launch time and boating speed). Others will be there days or week(s) early and then meet up with the gang at Oak on Saturday.

PS: If the Castle Rock cut is not open (it is too shallow and closes at low water levels), then launching at Antelope cuts a bit of distance off the trip to Oak. That's even nicer than it sounds, because the "long way" from Wahweap area (when the cut is not open) is not just miles, but is "Maytag Miles" if there is any other traffic (canyon walls, bouncy wake reverberations). I have not launched at Antelope though (only Wahweap and Bullfrog) so I can't speak to it personally.
 
Boris, coming in from Calif. your best bet Wahweap. We have typically gotten to Powell early and the years we were there, scouted out the best location for the number of boats we have. If all goes well we will be there at least a week before the gathering, and stay into early OCT.

As soon as you on the general area of Oak Canyon give a shout on the radio. There is usually someone listening, and they will guide you. At times dinghies or Kayaks are helpful for both guides and anchoring. In our experience a few boats dribble in the days before the gathering, and then some or the entire group leaves for the "tour". Last year we spent about 2 weeks around OaK Canyon. Just relaxing.

Oak Canyon, as two major arms. The more obvious is where the pump out station is. The other is to the north, and actually goes back into the canyon (depending on the level of the lake). Both can have good places. But on the 19th there will still be a lot of houseboats on the lake. (More drinking noise, fireworks, gun shots, loud music, PWC, Wake Board boats, etc)---we prefer remote locations earlier, where we are awry from this.

For us, the hustle of a rapid in and out just does not do justice for visiting with the other C Brats. The real friendships tend to be folks you spend some time with.

We meet other friends (although one of that group has a C Dory, about the first of OCT--assuming all is going well.
 
Boris, Dr. Bob knows whereof he speaks! We come a different direction and prefer the Bullfrog launch, but that is just us folks from the PNW. What is for sure is get yourself to Oak Canyon and get settled in as much before the gathering as you can. Then you can decide to stay there (as we did last year) or go exploring, as you like! We LOVED staying put and fishing, swimming, kayaking, sunbathing, socializing and just enjoying ourselves! We will not be doing Powell this year because we are going to China, but probably next year! We never tire of it!
 
Always good to be aware of the weather, and danger of flash floods--anywhere. I am not so sure I agree with the advice to get out into the middle of the lake. There are plenty of places where you can shelter, behind some lee. Where there is a fetch, these storms can have winds of 50 or more knots, and you can get some significant waves. Definitely avoid slot canyons, and always look above you--remember the couple who were killed when a boulder fell on their boat back a few years ago.
 
Back
Top