I see we have 3 threads now talking about Lake Powell…but I thought I would post to the main thread some tips/suggestions for those unfamiliar with cruising on Powell.
The Stan Jones Map and Kelsey’s Boaters Guide to Lake Powell are essential. Both are full of facts and interpretive information that will make your cruise of Powell more enjoyable. The map will help with where you are and where you want to go. The main channel has markers every mile or so and these are numbered with mileage from the dam and are depicted on the map…so even without electronics you will be able to find your way around. One thing to remember: very few of the hazards on Powell are marked…and there are thousands upon thousands of them. While in the main channel it will pay to honor the markers…and be very vigilant at all times. Of course the most important thing is to take the speed off when not in the main channel. Because this lake is a flooded river course…the bottom will come up extremely quickly…you can be in 100 feet of water and move two feet and hit a rock. Consequently…staying over the old river course is prudent…and electronics are useful here.
Communications are real tough out on the lake. You are not likely to contact another radio unless you can see it. Most of the time you are in a deep canyon and your signal has no chance of leaving the canyon. The exception is when you have a view of the top of Navajo Mountain. There are VHF marine, cellular phone and other repeaters on the mountain. If you want to use your cell phone…find a position where you can see the mountain top. Same for if you need the Park Service…call them when you have a straight shot at the mountain. We will point out the mountain to those with the group…and we will point out areas that we know the cell phone will work.
The lake is relatively undeveloped…mostly wilderness shoreline. The main marina…Wahweap…is just outside the town of Page, Arizona…and about 5 miles above the dam. Wahweap is a full service marina, launch ramp, campground, hotel and restaurants. Page has everything you may need supply wise…big grocery stores…Walmart…gas stations…fast food…slow food. Out on the lake a small remote marina…Dangling Rope…at about mile 43…has a few groceries and fuel…ice…water…ice cream. Stuff is expensive here…it all has to be barged in as there is no road access to this marina. At about mile 95 there are two more marinas…opposite each other on the banks…Bullfrog and Halls Crossing. There are the usual supplies here…somewhat limited in the grocery department.
There are several barges out on the lake that are floating restrooms…and dump/pump out stations. The locations are shown on the Stan Jones map. There are also dump/pump out stations at the marinas.
Stuff to bring:
Some longer lines for securing to shore…I use my spare anchor with 50 feet of line. If you stay on shore at night…you will want line guards to keep rodents from walking the line aboard your boat. Frisbees work well for this.
Beach/camp chairs for the campfire…and other shore sittin’ around. Some kind of shade is nice…we can’t always find a shady spot for camp.
Water toys…air mattress…floaty things. We usually go swimming 2 or 3 or 6 times a day.
Ivory soap…It floats! Handy for bathing in the lake. Relatively easy on the environment.
Potluck contribution or two. We usually have several potlucks…and a fish fry or two if the fisherpersons get into the fish.
Of course…don’t forget the camera stuff…this place is highly photogenic!
My general plan is to get the group to see many of the high points of the lake. We do not have an itinerary…because of changing lake levels and other factors we never know for sure where we will be when. If you wish to be with the group…I highly recommend you make one of the rendezvous points. If you do not…you are likely to never meet the group. This lake is immense…and the topography is such that you could be within a half mile of the group and never see us…let alone raise us on the radio.
