Yellowstone lake

Thanks everyone for the comments on the photos. The quad copter lets you see things from a different prospective. It's to bad they have been banned from the National Parks. The rangers were very courteous telling me I can't do it anymore. Jim the fishing hasn't changed you still have to release all of the cutts and kill all of the macs. You guys with limited jobs are making me so jealous. I have a solution though start in June and take a month at each lake. That way I can get in a few days at each lake too. :D :D
 
We did a Cruise of Great Western Lakes (we called it the Grand Slam) back in 2008 and all had a fine time. Jay and Jolee (Hunky Dory) and Chris (Rana Verde) will certainly have lots to say about that trip and can perhaps help organize another if folks are interested. We write up info on each of the lakes in our website, including some of the geology of the region that might be of interest to folks considering the trip. Look under locations at the to of our website.

Here's the posting of the trip from back in 2008:

Posted: Mon Jul 14, 2008 10:24 am Post subject: 09/01 - ?? - Grand Slam of Great Western Lakes
From 01 Sep 2008 to 14 Sep 2008 (included)

"This is an idea that has been discussed under the Lake Yellowstone discussion, and perhaps deserves a chat place of its own.

The idea is to visit four outstanding western lakes in one 'cruise.' The first lake, Yellowstone, will be the site of the Yellowstone Gathering in late August.

Then, on Sept. 1, as a mobile 'pod' of C-Dorys, we will stop off and launch for a brief visit on Jackson Lake in Grand Teton NP. This is thought of primarily as a chance to cruise beneath the towers of the Teton Mountains.

Then, the 'pod' will continue southerly to Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area. Launch at Coulter Bay and follow the footsteps of Maj. Powell down this fabulous gorge. Stay a few days (weather permitting, and how we all feel -- this trip southerly will be loose, with folks doing much as they wish and perhaps some 'hanging together' by consensus departures and arrivals).

After our time in Flaming Gorge (on the Green River) we'll trailer south to the Colorado River and splash into Lake Powell (at Glen Canyon Nat'l Rec Area). Here the mobile pod will join other C-Dorys for the Annual Fall Lake Powell Cruise, under the capable leadership of Chris on Rana Verde. Those who wish will 'hang around' this second largest man-made lake (and arguably with the most dramatic scenery) in the continental US."

_________________
El and Bill (former live-aboards)
Halcyon 2000 CD 22 Bought 2000 Sold 2012
http://cruisingamerica-halcyondays.com/
 
I think a minimum of a week for Yellowstone Lake & if one has not been there before there's enough to see & do in the area where it's doubtful many would be bored in a month so those wishing to stay longer that have the time could arrive early.

Jackson Lake is smaller & the area around to drive, less too, so maybe three days or so, but for majestic beauty it beats Yellowstone Lake or even most any place anywhere & anchorage isn't restricted, so time there could be upped. We don't spend much time there only due to its launch ramps are not the best & can be crowded along with having more boats out & about on the lake & in the fall if rain fall is low the lake can shrink considerably. Also unlike Yellowstone Lake & Bridge Bay there isn't moorage space for transients.

To me the scenic portion of Flaming Gorge is in Utah & best to access it from the Lucerne Ramp which is located fairly close to the small town of Manilla. From Lucerne it's a short distance to the canyon proper & very scenic all the way down to the dam. I've never spent more than one day at a time there & the last time was 10 years ago so will defer to others for time allotment & other information about it.

El & Bill it would sure be wonderful if you two could show up there at the camp ground by Bridge Bay & join in the fun next year. We would love to have you lead the group on a tour of the lake similar to what we did in 2008, but this time with us, aboard the Hunkydory.

Jay
 
I'm planning to take Midnight Flyer out to Lake Powel next summer, probably in the last half of June. Would be great if a get together was going on during that time! :-) Colby
 
Colby...just want to be sure you are aware of the extreme heat that time of year on Powell. Well over 100 degrees...and not so cool at night. Some people can take it...some are very uncomfortable...and for some downright dangerous. I purposely schedule the Powell gathering after the 15th of September as the heat has usually come down by that time...but we still experience some pretty hot days on occasion.
 
I remember renting a houseboat out of Bullfrog the week of Father's day, 1998. I don't remember it being to extreme! :-) We did not have a/c on that particular houseboat. Now towards the end of July or August, no argument with you there. :-) (In fact, just checked the temp averages for Lake Powel. June is only 2 degrees warmer than September, with 90 being the ave high, 62 the ave low, and 70 ave water temp. :-)
 
This year Mary and I are hoping to make 1 or 2 of the gatherings in the Pacific Northwest, as well as the Lake Powell gathering. With announcement of the Bellingham gathering in mid August, it occurs to us that perhaps we could attend this gathering and then start the road trek southeast over the next 4 weeks, hitting perhaps Yellowstone Lake and Flaming Gorge Reservoir on the way to the Lake Powell Gathering, which usually seems to start around the 3rd weekend of September. It would seem the timing of theses 2 gatherings might allow a perfect window to attend both and then also include some beautiful lakes in transit (maybe also Jackson Lake?). We haven't boated any of these locations, and our only time on Lake Powell was cut very short due to a battery issue we have since fixed. It sounds like the season on Yellowstone Lake is limited, but I think this plan should beat any problems or closures. Looking at the roads it also seems doable.

Any thoughts or suggestions (regarding waterway and or road/route options) from those of you who have experience in these areas would be most appreciated. Since we are retired we have the time to enjoy these lengthy trips. Anyone else interested?

Rob
 
Rob

Bridge Bay Marina on Yellowstone Lake normally doesn't close until the 2nd Sunday of September, so I think you should have the time to follow through on your plans.

Last June, following the Friday Harbor Gathering from where we launched out of Bellingham, we took scenic HY 20 through the Northern Cascades, which starts off of Interstate 5 in Burlington, which is just south of Bellingham. After coming out of the Cascades there are several routes to chose from where you can end up joining Interstate 90 just before Spokane. From there we followed 90 to Bozeman, Montana & entering the north entrance of Yellowstone Park at Livingston, Montana.

We hope to be back from our planned Southeast Alaska cruise in time for the Gatherings at Yellowstone & Powell. If so we can can give detailed info from there about travels on road & water for Jackson, Flaming Gorge to Powell. If not, there should be several there at Yellowstone who can if you need more than comes with this thread. Also hard to beat, El & Bill's "Halcyon Days" for any boat travel plans such as you are planning.

Jay
 
I had a senior moment on this one. when I read the first post I didn't note the date, and thought why would you reserve slip in January ? Unless you do the Red Fox thing like he did in Alaska.

When I lived in Wyoming , and I am a proud Wyoming Native, Yellowstone, and most of the lakes in Wyoming are iced over right now and will be until April or May. Are we having global warming there?
 
Well, I'm all for a bit more warming here, but other than a somewhat warmer fall it has been pretty chilly around here lately with a low of -22 f on Yellowstone Lake & here in Cokeville -24 with -30 & below in some of the areas not far to the east, so yes I think those lakes will be as usual, pretty much ice covered to the April/May period.
 
The folks we are house/cat sitting for, just spent 5 days in the West Yellowstone area. They told me it was -30 degrees at 7 AM when they started one of the snowmobile expeditions (group) into the park….Darn cold in anyone's book! Don't know a thing about any warming…It was 32 degrees in S. Calif. Last night. I'll take Yellowstone in the middle of the summer thank you!

Seriously we did much of that tour several years ago in our RV, with the boat left in storage at Powell. (Part of this had to do with my requirement for oxygen at night in higher elevations). Each part is worth some time--and there are a lot of great places to see along the way--if you have a week in each area, that would be ideal. We also enjoyed Cody, Wy. Not that far out of the park and well worth the time. We usually come into this area from the PNW, and it is an easy drive.
 
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