Flaming Gorge, Utah

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woodduck

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C Dory Year
2004
C Dory Model
25 Cruise Ship
Hull Identification Number
CDO25081D404
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C Dory
I understand there is a place named Flaming Gorge in Utah and described as a mini Lake Powell and just as interesting. Any opinions, comments from those who have visited or cruised this area? If Flaming Gorge is a mini Lake Powell it is closer to those of us in the Northwest. Is Flaming Gorge a good alternative for Lake Powell? Wow, I've read all of the C Dory/EQ stuff. Enough to give me a head ache! Take a deep breath, a long walk or a cruise in the rain, but don't beat up our wife or kick the dog. I couldn't be happier with my 2004 25' C Dory. Ken
 
I've gone past Flaming Gorge lots of times, on the way to other trips, having kayaked or houseboated everything from below Flaming Gorge to Lake Mead, except for the 30 miles through Cataract Canyon, and in my opinion it's hard to beat the slickrock canyons on Lake Powell. Be sure your brakes are in good shape if you intend to launch at the Flaming Gorge dam because the roads in, both north and south, go over some high mountains.
 
Ken --
To give you an idea of Flaming Gorge and its relationship to the other lakes on the Colorado System, you might want to check out these websites of C-Dory experience on those lakes.

http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/flaming.htm (This is Flaming Gorge)
http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/flamingrks.htm (Geology of Flaming Gorge)

http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/cololakes.htm (Contrasting Lakes Powell, Mead and Mojave) -- You can check out the difference with Flaming from reading the earlier sites.

Can't go wrong on any of them, in our humble opinion. But, the gem of them all, I think anyone who has experienced all the Colorado River Lakes would agree, is Powell and there are plenty of threads to read on our website about Powell.

Hope this helps.
 
I think I have seen or heard that some of these large lakes in Utah and Arizona now have Zebra Mussels in them. Not sure if that is true or not, but if it is, any of us who visit down there should take care not to bring back some unwanted guests.
 
Flaming Gorge is closer to the northwest, say Washington or Oregon. I live in Salt Lake and it takes me 3 hours to get to the "Gorge". Lake Powell takes about 5 hours to Bullfrog and a little longer to get to Wahweep. Lake Powell is a warmer lake also different fish, lots of large and smallmouth bass and tons of stripers or striped bass. Lake Powell has no trees for the most part, but very beautiful. Lake Powell is approx 200 miles long. Temps get over 100 in the summer. Lake does not freeze for the most part. Outside temps in winter get to freezing.

Flaming Gorge is approx 100 miles long. Trees on the Utah side of the lake, sagebrush on the Wyoming side. Big fish Lake Trout 50+ pounds, smallmouth bass, trout, salmon (kokes). Temps in the summer 85+, winter time the lake is frozen. Temps in the winter -25 some years.

You can kind of compare the two lakes, both are redrock as far as the eye can see. The structure of the Gorge is a little more jagged. Lake Powell is more smooth. Both are great lakes so I would just have to say go to both you will not go wrong. We usually go to Powell until about May then spend the rest of the year at the Gorge until ice up.

I hope this helps. John
 
If you look through the Wild Blue Cruising thread, you will find images and essays on Flaming Gorge. We REALLY enjoyed our time there. Unlike Lake Powell, there is a great deal of greenery. While the gorge isn't as tall as some of the cliffs at Lake Powell, it feels just as spectacular because you are up closer most of the time. We'd give two very enthusiastic thumbs up on Flaming Gorge.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
I used to live in Utah and have been to the Gorge many times. I have forgotten the names of the areas, but the red rock area with steep canyons, etc. is down by the dam. There is a narrow channel that leads to the northern part of the lake, which is not nearly as scenic -- a lot of sagebrush hills. I think it is called Lucerne or something like that. Watch out for the summer thunderstorms (lots of lightning!)
 
I can hardly wait to get to either Powell or Flaming Gorge! I am slowly but surely getting Crabby Lou, the CD16, in shape for cruising, although I have not yet convinced Patty that she should give up the the comforts of Daydream and do the boat camping thing. And maybe with the Titan towing Daydream, I will just say the heck with the fuel bill (tow vehicle and boat) and go for it. So maybe it is September again this year for Powell? Is anybody putting something together?
 
Deciding whether to take the 16 or the 25. I would call that a "good" problem. :wink:
 
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