09/22 Lake Powell 2012
- Thread starter Chris
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El and Bill
New member
Sorry for the long post. Falco's posting struck a 'chord' - thanks - Glen Canyon WAS a truly remarkable one-of-a-kind beauty spot, and glad he posted a site showing photos of that beauty. Just had to share with my Brat friend's in the pub what it meant to one of your members.
El and Bill
New member
Bob - as you know from your life experiences (including your great cruising), comparing beauty is virtually impossible. I have shared many hours in the Grand Canyon (10 years leading rafting trips and as a boatman on the canton, thousands of miles of hiking interior trails, etc). Grand Canyon is a glory - as was Glen Canyon. Perhaps the biggest distinction (aside from geology, biology, views from rims etc.) is that Glen Canyon was accessible to most - no big rapids to impede river travel - an easy raft trip for almost all -whereas the interior of Grand Canyon is more difficult (or expensive) to access. Comparing the beauty is like comparing the beauty of your grandkids - each is unique and beautiful in their own individual way.
Bill- am jealous you became a part of the Canyon before it disappeared. It must have been extraordinary. I do, however remind us all that in the time scale of the Canyon that 100000 years (when we may well hope the dams to be well gone) is only a blink of the geological-time eye... The Canyon will, someday "soon" once again see the light of sun and moon and stars. Since I am unlikely to be around then, I visit the lake every month with awe, wonder, and great respect. I suspect the "magic" is all still there. One must only open their heart and touch the slickrock to see and feel it all...
As an aside, the only place I have ever found on the Lake which resembles the Canyon in its day is a small canyon located off the Great Bend on the San Juan arm. Because it's located at a higher elevation, it is less subject to the habitat destroying effects of water level changes.
In this canyon, juniper, willow, boxelders, other deciduous trees, native tall grasses, rushes, ferns, deer, coyote, heron, canyon wren and flowers abound. In season, a small creek runs to the Lake. The old cottonwoods are all dead but there are few "tammies" - the invasive tamarisks that have overtaken most of the Lake's shorelines.
To the east of the waterline is a small arch, though you will not know it is an arch unless you walk under it and look up. Look down and you will see tracks of the trickster (coyote) who use the area under the arch as a den. Their dried feces contain nothing but crawfish shells. Seeing this was the first time I wanted to be reincarnated as a coyote.
A (careful) hike up the cliffs above the arch and a short jaunt to the south will put you on a cliff overlooking the San Juan. If you look carefully, you will find a tammy that lightning blew out of the ground. If only it would strike more often... A very short walk up the canyon (to the NNW) will reveal not one, not two, but three huge alcoves, each oriented to the west, north and east.
I spent 3 days there once, unable to pull away and return to the other, lesser reality.
The canyon is about half the distance from Wahweep to Oak Canyon from Oak Canyon. It's worth the gas. If you go, and you can't stay, take no food or water or you _will_ stay... Maybe forever.
37 16' 3" N
110 42' 25" W
Be sure to open your heart and touch the slickrock... You are in Glen Canyon.
As an aside, the only place I have ever found on the Lake which resembles the Canyon in its day is a small canyon located off the Great Bend on the San Juan arm. Because it's located at a higher elevation, it is less subject to the habitat destroying effects of water level changes.
In this canyon, juniper, willow, boxelders, other deciduous trees, native tall grasses, rushes, ferns, deer, coyote, heron, canyon wren and flowers abound. In season, a small creek runs to the Lake. The old cottonwoods are all dead but there are few "tammies" - the invasive tamarisks that have overtaken most of the Lake's shorelines.
To the east of the waterline is a small arch, though you will not know it is an arch unless you walk under it and look up. Look down and you will see tracks of the trickster (coyote) who use the area under the arch as a den. Their dried feces contain nothing but crawfish shells. Seeing this was the first time I wanted to be reincarnated as a coyote.
A (careful) hike up the cliffs above the arch and a short jaunt to the south will put you on a cliff overlooking the San Juan. If you look carefully, you will find a tammy that lightning blew out of the ground. If only it would strike more often... A very short walk up the canyon (to the NNW) will reveal not one, not two, but three huge alcoves, each oriented to the west, north and east.
I spent 3 days there once, unable to pull away and return to the other, lesser reality.
The canyon is about half the distance from Wahweep to Oak Canyon from Oak Canyon. It's worth the gas. If you go, and you can't stay, take no food or water or you _will_ stay... Maybe forever.
37 16' 3" N
110 42' 25" W
Be sure to open your heart and touch the slickrock... You are in Glen Canyon.
El and Bill
New member
Well said, Falco.
Not to say that one is better than the other, but...
Imagine for a moment a future date if/when the lake had been gone for a time and someone were to write a touching story of standing in a haunting, empty canyon, remembering the beautiful lake that used to be there. All the years of wonderful vacations people had in houseboats, and fishing and skiing and swimming and how it's so sad that future generations wouldn't be able to experience the wonder that was Lake Powell.
Just a thought... not a judgement. All a matter of perspective, and timing.
-Jeff
Imagine for a moment a future date if/when the lake had been gone for a time and someone were to write a touching story of standing in a haunting, empty canyon, remembering the beautiful lake that used to be there. All the years of wonderful vacations people had in houseboats, and fishing and skiing and swimming and how it's so sad that future generations wouldn't be able to experience the wonder that was Lake Powell.
Just a thought... not a judgement. All a matter of perspective, and timing.
-Jeff
El and Bill
New member
Very true Jeff. I'm reminded of hearing tales of the beauty and charm and joy of a grandmother, when she was a young vibrant 20-year-old. And today, in that kind, soft, tender, loving beauty of experience and years, the change has evolved a different and remarkable beauty -- reflective of the past but wonderfully different and meaningful to a different generation. Beauty and change evolve.
As we age, we mourn the loss of the 20-year-old but shouldn't allow that to block our vision of the beauty that evolved through time's change. We must also evolve our vision with time's change.
As we age, we mourn the loss of the 20-year-old but shouldn't allow that to block our vision of the beauty that evolved through time's change. We must also evolve our vision with time's change.
Wandering Sagebrush
Free Range Human
Falco, I am not sure which canyon you're referring to, but in 2010 the folks on Two Bears and Constant Craving explored Cha Canyon. Definitely a place to see and experience. I hope to spend more time in the San Juan arm this coming trip.
We found the rock art in the Kelsey book. This thing is stunning in its beauty.
We found the rock art in the Kelsey book. This thing is stunning in its beauty.
riversun45
New member
Guess I will add my memories of Glen Canyon. I was 17 years old (thought I knew everything) when I joined a commercial group going from Mexican Hat to Lees Ferry during the spring run off (must have been 1955). We had two geologists along, 4 boats that looked like coffins (all plywood), 4 oarsmen, and various other folks. In those days rubber rafts were thought to be for sissies. Those rafts could bounce off anything whereas our coffin boats required great skill to get around rocks and rapids and of course what were those things called pfd's, life jackets. We didn't need those cause we were bullet proof-the Wild, Wild West. Half way down the San Juan our great leader (who could not swim) broached his boat on a rock in the middle of the river and was stuck there. We got a rope over to him where he tied the rope to the back of the boat and we began to try to pull him off the rock. We pulled and pulled till we tore the back of the boat off and three fourths of our food went sailing down the San Juan along with our fresh water. Well to make a long story short we rationed the remaining food and when ever we spotted something along the shore we rowed over to see if it was edible. We got some kind of bug from the river water we were drinking and people started running from both ends in their sleeping bags (if you get the idea). Well we made it to Lees Ferry starved and dehydrated. The things I remember most outside of the trauma were the little red flags along the shore that showed where the coming lake level would be, the sound of music (like a pipe organ) coming out of Music Temple when one of our party played a harmonica in the back of it, the beauty of the side canyons, and of course the apple pie and ice cream at Lees Ferry. The first time I went back to Glen Canyon after that trip was in my C-Dory. Many memories Bill and many more to come.
C-Pup16 in Los Angeles
New member
Is it buggy then? How cold at night? Got a 16ft cruiser with a camper back canvas. No Wallis stove... Just a dog to keep me warm. Can I make do with that?
Does anyone haul their C-Dory from SoCal? How long a drive is it? Do you overnight in Flagstaff?
Keith
C-Pup 16 in Los Angeles
Does anyone haul their C-Dory from SoCal? How long a drive is it? Do you overnight in Flagstaff?
Keith
C-Pup 16 in Los Angeles
We drove from the northern end of Washington state to Lake Powell so people do drive that far. Chris on Rana Verde comes up from San Diego. Days were in the mid to low 80's. Can't remember any bugs. Nights were cool, this is the high desert but no more than a one dog night :lol:
Other than a few flies, the only other flying bugs at Powell are small gnats which will over run any light at night. The good news is they don't bite and don't like beer. Keeping lights off at night keeps them from congregating. However, if you like this sort of entertainment after sunset, shine a bright beam of light skyward to attract the gnats to the sky above the boat and watch the bats have a feast above your heads.
Temperatures in Sept run to the high 80's to low 90's during the day and mid 60's at night. Winds tend to be calm and rain unlikely - bearing in mind weather on this Lake is always unpredictable. Frankly Sept to Nov tend to be the most beautiful at the Lake.
Your dog will love it. You might too.
Temperatures in Sept run to the high 80's to low 90's during the day and mid 60's at night. Winds tend to be calm and rain unlikely - bearing in mind weather on this Lake is always unpredictable. Frankly Sept to Nov tend to be the most beautiful at the Lake.
Your dog will love it. You might too.
I have driven multiple times from S. Calif. to Powell. It is a two day drive--I don't go thru Flagstaff! Head out on 15 thru Vegas--this is a reasonable stopping point (315 miles from Culver City)--but you might go on to St. George Utah, where we often stop either way. We go then thru Hurricane Utah, then on 9/59/389 to Colorado City and Fredonia to Kanab and then 89 to Powell. You can go past Powell to Page to pick up supplies if you want. Do not go thru Zion Park--because of the tunnel and restrictions on towing (might be OK with the 16). It is about 275 to 300 miles from Vegas to Page AZ--so if you feel like a 600 mile trip towing a trailer, it could be done in one day.
If you want to go to the upper lake, then you might consider the route thru Flagstaff, but for the C Brat gathering, I would go Vegas to Hurricane, to Kanab to Powell.
No need for heat or AC this time of the year. We have never had a bug problem at Powell. We found that the V berth is still hot at night--and we occasionally use fans to cool this area off when the sun goes down. The occasional thunderstorm can bring cooler weather, so bring at least one set of sweats or a jacket. I have also seen Snow there at Memorial day--and I suspect it could happen in late Sept--but would be very unusual.
If you want to go to the upper lake, then you might consider the route thru Flagstaff, but for the C Brat gathering, I would go Vegas to Hurricane, to Kanab to Powell.
No need for heat or AC this time of the year. We have never had a bug problem at Powell. We found that the V berth is still hot at night--and we occasionally use fans to cool this area off when the sun goes down. The occasional thunderstorm can bring cooler weather, so bring at least one set of sweats or a jacket. I have also seen Snow there at Memorial day--and I suspect it could happen in late Sept--but would be very unusual.
C-Pup16 in Los Angeles
New member
I won't mention to Kimiko about the bats...
When our friend, Steve Grover (from Lake Tahoe) had a 16, he and Sydney (his faithful pooch) spent time with the group on his 16. As I recall, that was an April gathering and it got a bit chilly a few of those nights.
So, yeah, a 16, a guy and his dog can and do make the trip. We hauled our boat from south Texas to take in the wonder that is Lake Powell (about 1,500 miles, one way). It is an amazing place.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
So, yeah, a 16, a guy and his dog can and do make the trip. We hauled our boat from south Texas to take in the wonder that is Lake Powell (about 1,500 miles, one way). It is an amazing place.
Best wishes,
Jim B.
Earlier visit to Lake Powell....
Carole and I will not be able to be on the lake in Sept but are planning to go earlier. The second and third week of June. Carole will end her spring quarter teaching and will fly down to meet me. We plan to be on the lake far at least two weeks before working/laking our way back to Bellingham.
Anyone interested in these dates? And, other than San Jone's map any other suggestions as to NEED to have on board? A source for a topo?
the best,
Mike / Kestrel
Carole and I will not be able to be on the lake in Sept but are planning to go earlier. The second and third week of June. Carole will end her spring quarter teaching and will fly down to meet me. We plan to be on the lake far at least two weeks before working/laking our way back to Bellingham.
Anyone interested in these dates? And, other than San Jone's map any other suggestions as to NEED to have on board? A source for a topo?
the best,
Mike / Kestrel