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

C

Chris

New member
We discussed doing this earlier in the Yellowstone Lake thread. I really like the idea but I have no experience on the upper lakes. El & Bill's 2008 Grand Slam of Western Lakes is a great reference...and I am thinking that we have enough collective knowledge to make it happen.
Keeping in mind the Bellingham gathering late in August...I would propose that we set some dates that look like this...

Yellowstone Lake Gathering, Saturday September 5th

Jackson Lake Gathering, Saturday September 12th

Flaming Gorge Lake Gathering, Saturday September 19th

Lake Powell Gathering, Saturday September 26th

Some folks would make the entire trip...others would join for whichever portion they wish. The idea would be to spend a few days either side of the gathering date seeing/cruising the area. Of course the Grand Finale would be the Lake Powell Gathering on Saturday, September 26th and cruising the lake the following week as in years past.

Details for launch points etc. would develop as we gather input from everyone.

Sound like a plan?
 
Great idea, Chris. Not sure the Daydream crew will be able to do it this year, but we will see if we can figure out a way! One possible issue, we travel with a dog, and as I recall dogs are not particularly welcome on Yellowstone, correct?
 
Chris, the dates look good to me other than the Yellowstone Bridge Bay Marina store & campground close on Sept 7th. If this is a concern & it could be for some who might want to attend, but not bring their boat or want the convenience of the store. If so, moving everything up one week, if possible might be better.

We don't have a set date for our return from Alaska, but very likely we will be back for at least Yellowstone & Powell.

Pat, many boaters have dogs at the Marina, but they are restricted from the campsite shore area & docks out on the lake.

Jay
 
Pat Anderson":30pumn69 said:
Great idea, Chris. Not sure the Daydream crew will be able to do it this year, but we will see if we can figure out a way! One possible issue, we travel with a dog, and as I recall dogs are not particularly welcome on Yellowstone, correct?
Click to expand...

Hi Pat,

Shouldn't be an issue with a dog on the lake. There will be some restrictions as far as having along some shoreline (dogs are not allowed on most trails, due to the possibility of crossing paths with wildlife). Same situation on Jackson Lake.

Keep a close watch on water levels at Jackson Lake - year before last, the Colter Bay Marina closed the first week of August due to low water (that lake is used for irrigation). Last year, they were open into the 3rd week of September.

Yellowstone Lake is at 7,800', Jackson Lake is 6,800 - it can be getting chilly that time of year in those places.

Jim
 
As much as we would like to make the "upper lakes"-- I doubt that we can because of the altitude and my heart disease. We have been at all of these lakes several times, and they are great places for a few days, but don't allow the "cruising" experience ashore which Powell does. If you do the Yellowstone, be sure that "Yellowstone John" FarWest, is along. He is the best tour guide going! (Of course Jay is right up there in ability also!) We have taken our dog on board the boat on Yellowstone. (also on Jackson Lake, but not ashore out of the campgrounds).

I agree that in mid September is getting pretty chilly, and facilities are closing by that time of year. On the other side, the crowds are non existent!

Hope to see all at Powell again!
 
Hi Chris,

My wife and I have been seriously considering just what you are suggesting. We plan to make both the Bellingham and Lake Powell gatherings, and since we're retired adding the lakes to the itinerary has intrigued us. The timing certainly seems to fit nicely. I note you are allowing roughly 2 weeks after the Bellingham gathering before arriving at Yellowstone Lake. Would this be to allow for some extra cruising time in and around Puget Sound?

This will be our first trip into the Pacific Northwest with the boat in tow and we have no prior boating experience in the areas involved. We always enjoy meeting and cruising with other Brats, and the added safety factor is always a plus. We would like to add our name to the participant list.

Rob (& Mary)
 
It sounds like a great idea, the timing for me might be a bit late (commitments already in place for Oct 1.) I was thinking of heading to Lake Powell soon after Labor Day for some time though. Moving things up a week might work out for me, but might be better the way it is for you all. I, or you, can catch up :D

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Harvey, often there are several C Brats on the lake for the weeks before and after the official Cruise. If we get there again this year, we should be there from mid Sept, thru early Oct. I know there will be others.
 
Thanks Bob. I am really looking forward to Lake Powell. Be great to get to be there with some Brats who know their way around.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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The Grand Slam, in our opinion, is one of the finest western US inland cruising trips possible. The scenery, the wildlife, the wilderness -- such grandeur!
If you have the time, my what an experience -- with the comfort of pleasant companions and great guides -- should be on your bucket list and if you can do it this year, go for it!

Here's the site to tempt you:

http://cruisingamerica-halcyondays.com/gs.htm
 
If the tour to Yellowstone starts a little earlier, Ellen and I would likely make the trip from Boise. We have been there several times both with, and without a boat and whoever said it can get quite cold over there in September is quite right. Our experience is that the crowds really thin out after about the 15th of August as most of the "non locals" have returned home to get the kids lined out for school. Another problem with 9/5 for us this year is that Washington Dawgs and Coach Pete will visit Boise State on 9/4. Don't think we will miss that one.
 
Chris, any thoughts on possibly moving your entire agenda up by one week? That would mean starting at Yellowstone Lake the weekend of August 31, and ending at Lake Powell the weekend of September 19.

Rob
 
We look forward to seeing everyone on Yellowstone Lake this summer. Late August and early September is a wonderful time to be in Yellowstone, lots of wildlife activity. Last September we had a Grizzly in the marina and it's common for Bison to hang out there.

Our boat is slipped at Bridge Bay #B4 from early July till the end of the season, we are there every weekend. Unfortunately, as Jay mentioned they are closing the marina a week early this year because Labor Day is much earlier. They typically are open till around the 14th.

I hope we will have time to join everyone at Powell this year.
 
Sounds like you folks will have a great time making the Grand Slam. Our schedule will only permit joining you at Lake Powell.
We might suggest making it just a bit earlier as the weather the lallter part of Sept can get rather stormy.

We currently are planning on getting on the Lake shortly after Labor Day and hope to see some C-Dory's sometime during the following week or two.
John and Grayle Blecker
 
I was thinking a couple weeks between Bellingham and Yellowstone...but it looks like all things considered it would be preferable to move the Lakes schedule up a week. So dates would look like this...


Yellowstone Lake Gathering, Saturday August 29th

Jackson Lake Gathering, Saturday September 5th

Flaming Gorge Lake Gathering, Saturday September 12th

Lake Powell Gathering, Saturday September 19th

How does this schedule look?

If we run into a situation like Jim mentioned where one of the lakes is a no go for whatever reason we'll just stretch our time at one of the other lakes. We'll have a better idea of conditions as the time nears.

Probably the next thing we should decide is the site on each lake for the gathering. Of course Lake Powell will be the usual...Oak Canyon...with folks launching at whatever ramp they prefer. On the other lakes...are there any recommendations as to siting the gathering?
 
We are in Chris. Guess I better start reading up on the locations and doing a bit of Internet research. As you recommended, I read the writeup from El & Bill and that has provided a good foundation and motivation.

Rob :thup
 
Yellowstone Lake. Pretty much a must to launch & gather at Bridge Bay Marina & a great spot for both with the campground also in close walking distance & great for any who would like to attend this gathering, but not bring there boat.

Jackson Lake. I would suggest launching at Colter Bay & then tour the lake in a group similar as has been done at Lake Powell. Unlike Yellowstone lake's anchorage restrictions, unless changed recently, Jackson Lake hasn't any, so there's several places a group could gather for nights, though the marinas are out, due to a long waiting list just for dock space for the season & none on a lesser time frame that I'm aware.

Flaming Gorge. Lucerne campground, boat launch & Marina is located a couple miles north of Manilla, Utah & has a multi lane boat launch & is located very close to the start of the gorge. I have always launched there, but with limited time on this water, I would defer to others more knowledgable for launch ect there.

Jay
 
I've been reading up on the different state invasive species (AIS) related inspection requirements and they are confusing. Towing the boat from Washington, through Idaho to Wyoming, it appears we would need to stop for inspection just across the border into Idaho. Because it appears there aren't local inspection services at Yellowstone Lake or anyplace nearby the lake, and because Wyoming inspectors accept an inspection done in Idaho, as long as the boat is wire-tied to the trailer afterward, we could get the inspection done in Idaho and this should alleviate the need for a full inspection in Wyoming. Wyoming also requires the purchase of a nonresident AIS sticker for boating within their waters, but lakes controlled by the Federal government, such as Yellowstone, aren't covered by Wyoming State requirements so the AIS sticker isn't required there. It is for Flaming Gorge though, although launching at Lucerne Valley Marina is in Utah so unless we boat north into Montana waters the AIS sticker is still not necessary. Once across the Montana border it is though. While I know little about Flaming Gorge, it is my understanding that most of the beautiful rugged scenery is south from Lucerne so still in Utah. As for Utah, they have an AIS certification and inspection requirements and I just took a 40-minute test on the computer and was able to print a decontamination certificate for use, if need be. The certificate doesn't alleviate anything related to the inspection process, etc., but it shortens the paperwork requirements. Frankly, the relatively short computerized education program was a good education for me, but I have no idea if it was really necessary or not. It isn't for Lake Powell, but I am uncertain about Flaming Gorge so figured it was worth the time now. Based on the tentative itinerary, usually with only a few days between Flaming Gorge and Lake Powell we would need to get a professional decontamination done, but since Lake Powell is federal (and infested) it does not seem that is a legal requirement. Do I sound thoroughly confused yet?

Rob :crook
 
If the plan is to start in the northwest and go to Yellowstone then to Jackson Lake on to Flaming Gorge and then to Powell. You will need the Wyoming sticker for Jackson and Flaming Gorge (if you plan on doing the Wyoming side). You have to be inspected before you can launch at Yellowstone by a ranger. You will not need to be decontaminated any where. No requirements to launch at Lake Powell when you leave Lake Powell Utah DNR with put a sticker on the winch handle stating the boat has been contaminated water and needs to be decontaminated. Depending on your path through Idaho you might get stopped twice. I do coming from Utah.
 
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