Well it looks like water levels are going to be about 30 feet lower than last year...I'm guessing the rendezvous will be out in Oak Canyon bay instead of up in the canyon like last year. Castle Rock cut looks like it will be open...but a bit skinny...will need to stay in the channel. Will be even skinnier on the way back but still should be open.
09/22 Lake Powell 2012
- Thread starter Chris
- Start date
The Castle Rock cut should be plenty deep when you are there. It's 15'+ deep today and the lake level drop is slowing (only 0.5' in the last week) as the US Bureau of Reclamation begins to slow the release from Powell and "balance" lake levels all along the Colorado. You should have no problem. I have run the cut at 4' in my 22. Stay at wakeless speed - the NPS guys love giving tickets there.
For those interested in hiking: http://www.lakepowellhikes.com/ It's a brand new publication. Just ordered a copy. The buzz amongst LakeHeads is that it's worth the money (about $22 including shipping)
Be aware there are rattlesnakes at Powell - especially at this season - both up in the slickrock and boulders but also on the beaches and in gear on beaches...
If you are interested, here are some images of some of the areas you will see before there was a lake... http://explorepdx.com/glenmap_a.html and http://explorepdx.com/glenmap_b.html
Here is what Oak (Wishbone) Canyon looked like (you will see it on the west side of the entrance to Oak Bay): http://explorepdx.com/glen70.html
Finally - this is why I never beach under a cliff at Powell: http://youtu.be/r1GQaNsc3Os[/url]
For those interested in hiking: http://www.lakepowellhikes.com/ It's a brand new publication. Just ordered a copy. The buzz amongst LakeHeads is that it's worth the money (about $22 including shipping)
Be aware there are rattlesnakes at Powell - especially at this season - both up in the slickrock and boulders but also on the beaches and in gear on beaches...
If you are interested, here are some images of some of the areas you will see before there was a lake... http://explorepdx.com/glenmap_a.html and http://explorepdx.com/glenmap_b.html
Here is what Oak (Wishbone) Canyon looked like (you will see it on the west side of the entrance to Oak Bay): http://explorepdx.com/glen70.html
Finally - this is why I never beach under a cliff at Powell: http://youtu.be/r1GQaNsc3Os[/url]
I have a question for those knowledgeable about Powell and the gathering.
I had planned on attending with a friend along, and just found out that friend has to work September 21 and 22, so would not be able to arrive until September 23 (friend would either drive down separately or fly into Page). My guess is that - given the linear nature of the lake, the fluid group plans, and the limited VHF comms - it might be difficult for this to work out in the context of the gathering; but I figured I'd check with the experts before deciding how to proceed. Here are the options as I see them:
1) Do the scheduled C-Brats gathering solo on my boat (obviously this could work fine if I chose it).
2) Postpone departure until the 23rd, when my friend would arrive, and try to hook up with the group.
3) Head out with the group and then double-back on the 23rd to pick up my bud, then meet up with group again.
4) Something I haven't thought of (is there another marina (Bullfrog) or ? that the group might be nearby on Day 3?).
My question is - are scenarios #2 and #3 (or #4) even possible/practical, given the givens on Powell? Normally I find schedules/meetups on boats to be somewhat undesirable, but...?
Thanks,
Sunbeam :hot
I had planned on attending with a friend along, and just found out that friend has to work September 21 and 22, so would not be able to arrive until September 23 (friend would either drive down separately or fly into Page). My guess is that - given the linear nature of the lake, the fluid group plans, and the limited VHF comms - it might be difficult for this to work out in the context of the gathering; but I figured I'd check with the experts before deciding how to proceed. Here are the options as I see them:
1) Do the scheduled C-Brats gathering solo on my boat (obviously this could work fine if I chose it).
2) Postpone departure until the 23rd, when my friend would arrive, and try to hook up with the group.
3) Head out with the group and then double-back on the 23rd to pick up my bud, then meet up with group again.
4) Something I haven't thought of (is there another marina (Bullfrog) or ? that the group might be nearby on Day 3?).
My question is - are scenarios #2 and #3 (or #4) even possible/practical, given the givens on Powell? Normally I find schedules/meetups on boats to be somewhat undesirable, but...?
Thanks,
Sunbeam :hot
Wandering Sagebrush
Free Range Human
Sunbeam":1cfdmyw1 said:
I will toss out my 2 cents worth. Typically, following the pot luck, people tend to split up into smaller groups and explore. So you will probably not run into a large group regardless of which option you choose. My suspicion is that you will run into some of the smaller groups at various locations, and the marinas are going to be the prime locations for a meet up.
That said, if you come in early and attend the potluck, you could meet some of the folks and possibly set some type of a rendezvous date/time/location.
Thanks for your input. This being my first time at Powell (and my first C-Brat gathering!), I was thinking I'd probably go with Chris's group (and go to the Saturday potluck), but good to know about options.
There is a slight chance that my bud can salvage those two days off - fingers crossed - but I figured I had better check into options just in case.
Thanks again,
Sunbeam :hot
Chris":hls6gvuz said:
There is a slight chance that my bud can salvage those two days off - fingers crossed - but I figured I had better check into options just in case.
Thanks again,
Sunbeam :hot
Wandering Sagebrush
Free Range Human
Sunbeam, I sent you a PM with my cell. Steve
Sunbeam,
Just "thinking out of the box," here's a novel Idea about how your friend could get uplake, considering that you might already be there (and it's a long ride back to Wahweap from Oak Cove).
The concession makes daily trips from Wahweap to Rainbow Bridge.
If your friend was able to make it to Wahweap and ride the boat to Rainbow, he/she could jump ship at Rainbow Bridge ... and you could already be there waiting!
Check the Wahweap departure schedule and the Rainbow Bridge arrival schedule; it might be workable!
Best,
Casey&Mary
Just "thinking out of the box," here's a novel Idea about how your friend could get uplake, considering that you might already be there (and it's a long ride back to Wahweap from Oak Cove).
The concession makes daily trips from Wahweap to Rainbow Bridge.
If your friend was able to make it to Wahweap and ride the boat to Rainbow, he/she could jump ship at Rainbow Bridge ... and you could already be there waiting!
Check the Wahweap departure schedule and the Rainbow Bridge arrival schedule; it might be workable!
Best,
Casey&Mary
The concession boats we have seen have been barges--and they go fairly slow--not sure if there is a faster concession boat. Another option is the boat to Rainbow bridge. This is scheduled at 7:30 AM and 12:30 PM the fee is about $130, but you might ask if you could get a reduced rate for a "one way". Rainbow bridge is not that far from Oak Canyon--and it might take you almost $130 worth of gas at $6.50 a gallon.....for the round trip to Wahweap.
Almost there...We are in Richfield, UT--about 150 miles from Kanab, where we will spend tomorrow night and then pick up the boat on Wed. AM. We have to have internet access for the next several days to fulfill some legal obligations we have for a friend who is incapacitated.
We have been trying to find a 13" pitch prop. None in Salt Lake City (and other places we had checked) The storage place sort of dropped the ball on getting a Honda prop, but they have some 14" Diameter props with 13" pitch, with universal hubs, and that will work. If there is some cavitation, we can cut the diameter down slightly....Also will loan us some other props to find the ideal for the load we have. We used a 15" prop earlier this year, and we don't' quite get the WOT numbers we want--thus tend to lug the engine--which we like to avoid. With the first 22 we had a prop 2" lower in pitch for Powell and this worked very well.
We will get a campsite at Wahweap for a couple of nights and do some work on the boat (Calif. roads took the toll on several fittings and brackets, some gel coat patch, maybe wax and putting in the larger battery charger). This will allow us to transfer gear to the boat at our leisure. The RV will be stored at the same place we have stored the boat for the last 4 months.
We have been trying to find a 13" pitch prop. None in Salt Lake City (and other places we had checked) The storage place sort of dropped the ball on getting a Honda prop, but they have some 14" Diameter props with 13" pitch, with universal hubs, and that will work. If there is some cavitation, we can cut the diameter down slightly....Also will loan us some other props to find the ideal for the load we have. We used a 15" prop earlier this year, and we don't' quite get the WOT numbers we want--thus tend to lug the engine--which we like to avoid. With the first 22 we had a prop 2" lower in pitch for Powell and this worked very well.
We will get a campsite at Wahweap for a couple of nights and do some work on the boat (Calif. roads took the toll on several fittings and brackets, some gel coat patch, maybe wax and putting in the larger battery charger). This will allow us to transfer gear to the boat at our leisure. The RV will be stored at the same place we have stored the boat for the last 4 months.
I have a question for the experienced Powell folks: I see that oftentimes you nose up to the beach and then take a pair of lines from the stern cleats into shore. What are you using on the shore end to anchor the lines? Things that come to mind are re-bar, those dog-tie-out corkscrew things (not sure they would be good enough in the sand), spare anchors, or...?
I don't have any of my "line inventory" with me, so was thinking I'd purchase something like 100' of 3/8" nylon three-strand to make two 50' lines. Comments?
Speaking of props, I just got a new prop for my Yamaha 80. The boat came with an aluminum 15 pitch, 13.5" diameter, 3-bladed prop. On a trial run after a full engine service, with the boat virtually empty (no fuel, no water, no gear - just two lightish people), we did reach the recommended WOT (at sea level). I knew I wanted a spare prop and that I would be loading the boat down more -- I ordered an aluminum 13 pitch, 13.25" diameter 4-bladed prop - so we'll see how that works out.
I don't have any of my "line inventory" with me, so was thinking I'd purchase something like 100' of 3/8" nylon three-strand to make two 50' lines. Comments?
Speaking of props, I just got a new prop for my Yamaha 80. The boat came with an aluminum 15 pitch, 13.5" diameter, 3-bladed prop. On a trial run after a full engine service, with the boat virtually empty (no fuel, no water, no gear - just two lightish people), we did reach the recommended WOT (at sea level). I knew I wanted a spare prop and that I would be loading the boat down more -- I ordered an aluminum 13 pitch, 13.25" diameter 4-bladed prop - so we'll see how that works out.
I have used the corkscrew dog things successfully. I use the cheap 1/2" $10/100ft rope available at home depot, it is usually in a bin by the better ropes. As an anti mouse barrier I use cheap frisbees, drill a 7/8 hole in the center and glue in a 3-4" piece of 1/2" pvc, slide that over the rope between the cleat and the doggie tether.
We use Fortress/Guardian anchors on the beach (do have a small Danforth which we are carrying this time also, if we have to use the 7 lb Fortress off the bow.
We drop a bow anchor off the beach, and pay out the line as I back the boat to the beach. When the water shoals, I bring the engine up and just before the boat would touch the beach, Marie steps ashore with at least one of the stern lines. We sort out where anchors go as we appraise the situation. Some times there is sand, sometimes rocks, and bushes. We may wrap the line about a bush, and then implant the anchor (also put rocks over the anchor and chain if necessary).
At times we have anchored off rock ledges, with no sand on the beach. There we just pile rocks on the anchor and chain. We usually have 6 to 8 feet of 1/4" chain on the terminal tackle.
We use 3/8 or even 5/16" line. We have several extra lines--but the primary are 50 feet.
We have never used rebar or sand screws. Most of the boats we have observed use Danforth type of anchors.
A couple of times we have had to us a second bow anchor during storms. The thunderstorms can come up quickly and be violent (and beautiful).
We are expecting some heavy weather in the next few days.
We drop a bow anchor off the beach, and pay out the line as I back the boat to the beach. When the water shoals, I bring the engine up and just before the boat would touch the beach, Marie steps ashore with at least one of the stern lines. We sort out where anchors go as we appraise the situation. Some times there is sand, sometimes rocks, and bushes. We may wrap the line about a bush, and then implant the anchor (also put rocks over the anchor and chain if necessary).
At times we have anchored off rock ledges, with no sand on the beach. There we just pile rocks on the anchor and chain. We usually have 6 to 8 feet of 1/4" chain on the terminal tackle.
We use 3/8 or even 5/16" line. We have several extra lines--but the primary are 50 feet.
We have never used rebar or sand screws. Most of the boats we have observed use Danforth type of anchors.
A couple of times we have had to us a second bow anchor during storms. The thunderstorms can come up quickly and be violent (and beautiful).
We are expecting some heavy weather in the next few days.
Adding to the earlier comment. We have our primary anchor out (a delta plow) and either buried or covered with rocks, that holds the bow in. The two lines I mentioned above go from stern/midship cleats to the dog screw type anchors and are primarily to keep the boat from swinging parallel to the shore.
Last year being my first time I took too much. Backup anchor and rode and small stern anchor and 2 of 3/8" 30 ft lines with fold up grapnel anchors and ice cream bucket lids with the line passed thru and knotted either side to repel critters. The grapnels were buried as others suggested. Quite often only 1 was needed. I used the small stern anchor the most to avoid swing into neighbors once ashore. I did use the backup 16 lb claw out the beach a hundred feet when a really strong wind came at sundown. It looked to be snowing. Blowing sand. I now carry a small danforth and only one grapnel in addition to the 22 lb claw main.
