09/20 - Lake Powell 2014 Gathering

The lastest forecasts are projecting a 44 foot increase this year. If that holds true we might be a little higher than last year by September. Last years high was 3609 we are at 3575 right now.
 
Casey, you are so right about "time to explore." When you explore, be sure to take LOTS of water to stay hydrated, Patty can tell you about the consequences of not having enough water. And time to fish, swim, swing on the hook (yes, there ARE spots to anchor, we learned that cruising with a Ranger Tug in 2010), listen to music enjoying your sundowner, read, relax, vist with great friends - well, you know the drill! We are thinking about three weeks this year! Ain't retirement great!
 
We have always gone stern too at Powell. I cannot think of a time we have gone bow too in 10 years and over 14 trips to Powell. The stern too is perhaps a bit more work--but it pays off in ease of getting on and off of the boat (especially for dogs).

We also have some type of shade for the on shore times--a very lightweight tarp, of rip stop works well, and a few tent poles with some 1/8" line and use of the rocks or occasionally a few light tent stakes, round out the gear for this. Our tarp packs in about 10" x 8" round, wrapped with the lines.
 
Jody, confident & good, your flying the helicopter from the cockpit of your boat & for sure getting some exceptional photos. They'er making me even more looking forward to returning there for another Gathering.

Thanks for posting them,

Jay
 
Jody,

Great pic's with your 'copter.

Mary got a Blade 350QX quadcopter a couple of weeks ago and has been learning the in's and out's of flying it. The plan is to use her GoPro camera aloft, but at the moment there seem to be some reverse sensing control issues when the GoPro is used. She's already gotten some interesting practice video here in The Villages.

Using the 'quad when we're on the water may take a little more practice ... since they're not waterproof!

...I've even flown it a few times (and only crashed Once!) :-)

Best,
C&M
 
Casey":26gzijc6 said:
Jody,

Great pic's with your 'copter.

Mary got a Blade 350QX quadcopter a couple of weeks ago and has been learning the in's and out's of flying it. The plan is to use her GoPro camera aloft, but at the moment there seem to be some reverse sensing control issues when the GoPro is used. She's already gotten some interesting practice video here in The Villages.

Using the 'quad when we're on the water may take a little more practice ... since they're not waterproof!

...I've even flown it a few times (and only crashed Once!) :-)

Best,
C&M
Click to expand...

I does get the adrenaline up knowing that if you crash your going to lose $1000. I ready had one hail Mary catch hanging off the side of the boat.
 
I'm using a DJI Phantom. Played with some floats but they get in the way of the shot. So I just give myself plenty of time for the landing. I had one close call where I just about ditched it. It is quite an experience flying over water with no safety net.
 
Jody,

I'm guessing you're using the DJI Phantom 2 (with the proprietary camera vs a GoPro)?

There have been several instances of RFI conflict between the GoPro (particularly the newest version, the Hero 3+)
and the quadcopter control signals, that have resulted in loss-of-control and outright "fly aways." We've watched several uTube clips on ways to mitigate the issues. (It's Amazing what all is on uTube!!)

We thought about putting a "Tile" (http://www.thetileapp.com/#on-the-go ) but the reception range appears to only be 50-150'.

Anyway ... have fun flying!

Best,
C&M
 
Just want to let any C-Brats who may be headed to Lake Powell know that Sue and I will be on the lake from 4-17 to 4-28. Will launch at Halls Crossing and slowly make our way down to Wahweap and back to Halls Crossing. If you are going to be on the lake at that time let us know and we will keep an eye out for you.

Bill
 
Water Bill":z47ktqmn said:
Just want to let any C-Brats who may be headed to Lake Powell know that Sue and I will be on the lake from 4-17 to 4-28. Will launch at Halls Crossing and slowly make our way down to Wahweap and back to Halls Crossing. If you are going to be on the lake at that time let us know and we will keep an eye out for you.

Bill
Click to expand...

Have a good trip. Watch out for the nasty wind.
 
Our current plans put us launching at Lake Powell about the 11 of Sept. If any of the other C Brats are heading that way, at that time, and way to meet up, give a shout. We plan on leaving Powell about a week after the Sept 20 gathering.
 
Updated policies for those headed to Powell

Now that quagga mussels have been detected in Lake Powell, we are developing an Extended Response Strategy that will shift our focus from keeping mussels out (prevention) to trying to keep mussels from leaving the lake (containment) and infesting other bodies of water. This strategy is supported by the Western states.

We hope to implement this new strategy by mid-May, but in the meantime we will no longer require the green mussel-free certificate for incoming vessels, and will no longer restrict ramp hours. Fee staff, AIS rangers, and others who interact with the boating public should continue to emphasize the clean, drain, and dry message to both incoming and especially outgoing vessels.

We are working diligently to provide more details and have things in place by Memorial Day weekend and appreciate your patience as we make this transition. We will not make a public announcement as this is an interim step that will not inconvenience boaters, but if you have questions please contact Denise Shultz at 608-6351.

Todd W. Brindle
Superintendent
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Rainbow Bridge National Monument
P.O. Box 1507
691 Scenic View Drive
Page, AZ 86040

(928) 608-6210 office
(928) 640-1586 cell
(928) 608-6204 fax
 
Sort of a frightening prospect--if Lake Powell is this infested, then Glen Canyon, Grand Canyon, (Lake Mead is already), and I suspect all of the lower lakes, plus the Calif. Aqueduct system (of the Colorado
River) will be infested…

Thanks for the heads up. Maybe we will have to have the boats steam cleaned before we leave the National Recreational Area?
 
All the lakes below Lake Powell were all ready infected. This is off of Wanyes Words.

You can have your boat professionally decontaminated at the Wahweap Boat Maintenance Yard near Stateline ramp. Price is $60/hr charged at 15 minute intervals. A clean 20 foot boat would probably cost $15 while a houseboat may be much more. Call them at 928 645 1071. Proof of decon (receipt) can be provided but that might not be accepted at all lakes. You might call in advance to see what is expected at the receiving water.

NPS does not have the resources to decontaminate all the boats that leave Lake Powell so at this time that is not an option.

UT will decon the boat by appointment, free of charge near St George, UT if you are headed to CA along that route.

This is all new right now and a standard procedure is not yet determined. By the end of this year more procedures will be in place.
 
Sue and I just returned from 12 great days at Lake Powell yesterday. We launched on Apr. 17 at Halls Crossing and they inspected the boat and issued us a mussel free certificate to leave in the truck. When we pulled the boat out yesterday a Park Ranger met us on the ramp and said they were no longer performing inspections when you launch. He gave us brochures on how to decontaminate your boat and recommended we drain our engine, bilge, any live wells and clean any mud from the boat while still on the ramp. They are not actually making sure this is being done. He did say Utah and Arizona will be setting up random checkpoints and stopping boaters to make sure boats being trailered are following these procedures. He also said fines will be issued if they find a boat not in compliance. We did not run into a checkpoints on the way back to Colorado yesterday. The brochure also gives recommended lengths of time before boating again in another water. Will be interesting to see if these requirements change as the year progresses.

We did complete our cruise from Halls Crossing to Whaweap and back cruising in and out of many side canyons along the way. We took our time cruising along at 5 knots. We managed to find good protected anchorages on the couple of days with high winds. As Jody mentioned the Lake is a lot lower then it was for the Sept. 2013 gathering. We stopped at Oak Canyon on the way down and back and the location we used last Sept. is high and dry but we found two different spots that were just as good. No trouble finding unoccupied coves and beaches this time of year. We ran across only one other C-Dory , E-Ticket with Susan and Eric on board.

We had temperatures that ranged from 46 to 84 degrees and water surface temperature ranged from 55 to 65 degrees. Gas at Whaweap Marina was $4.91 per gallon and ice was $4.99 for a 10 lb bag or block. I will post pictures in my album as soon as I get a chance.

Bill
 
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