Kayaking Lake Powell

[knunut]

Has anyone done a kayak trip in Lake Powell? Did you use a houseboat as a base? We're trying to decide whether to join an outfitter trip or do it ourselves via a houseboat? We're thinking of doing this next year in September? If anyone is interested we would consider putting together a small group. We would drive out and drop the Airstream at a local campground while on Lake Powell, rent a houseboat or use local outfitter. Any input would be appreciated.


knunut

[gadgetat]

I'm also considering a kayak trip on Powell soon. Since I live in Prescott I think the Airstream will stay home for the trip.

There's a lot of regulations for Powell, so I'd suggest looking into them before you get there. Chem toilets for boats are necessary if you overnight. They don't fit very well in a kayak, so I'm pondering options.

I'll keep an eye on this thread. An Airstream kayak trip would be fun. Personally I'd rather go self guided than with a tour, but gotta get all the rules in my head first.

Let me know if you decide to do the trip. I might be on board!

[Airstream25]

Originally Posted by knunut

Has anyone done a kayak trip in Lake Powell? Did you use a houseboat as a base? We're trying to decide whether to join an outfitter trip or do it ourselves via a houseboat? We're thinking of doing this next year in September? If anyone is interested we would consider putting together a small group. We would drive out and drop the Airstream at a local campground while on Lake Powell, rent a houseboat or use local outfitter. Any input would be appreciated.
knunut

If you check on Houseboat rentals, you may find Sept. prices are cheaper than mid summer. Using a houseboat would make the event a lot more comfortable with ice boxes, tables, chairs, beds, etc. Explore the side tributaries as far as the houseboat can go, run it up on a sandbar, set the anchor then unload the kayak.

[OB Bambi]

My family has done Lake Powell twice. Both times on a houseboat. What a wonderful vacation! My only extra bit of guidance in the planning stages is to go in at Waweep. Halls Crossing/Bullfrog is a very hard drive and would really be a challenge with a trailer. The distance is about the same to Rainbow bridge and Dangling Rope Marina from either up-lake or down-lake from Waweep or Halls Crossing.

Randy

[Zeppelinium]

Keep me informed! I'm just about to finish a Pygmy kit and have been thinking about doing Lake Powell. I've been doing many photo trips in the area, but never been out on the water.

Zep

[purman]

We have camped on the north shore of Powell and gone out in our kayak from a base camp along the shores.. It was both a camping and boating trip.. We were with friends who had a motor boat as well, and they would take us out and drop us off and we would then paddle back to camp..

It was all dry camping, and a ton of fun.. Just gotta watch out for those windy days...

[Bluto]

Interested in the info of the thread for future plans (someday). It sounds like a good idea about doing the houseboat and taking along your little boat for side trips.

[knunut]

We are gathering info. I like the house boat idea. That and 6 Kayaks. Sept.or May. After Powell we will go to Moab for back road Adventures? Will post info. We are planning for 2010. Thank's for the feedback.

[SilverGate]

Kayak Camping with Kalen Thorien

SilverGate
Fans of Airstream Basecamp
(2017 Airstream Basecamp can carry two kayaks inside!)

[Stelear]

We used to live in Vail, CO so trips to Powell were a regular occurrence. With the exception of two times we always rented a houseboat. It's absolutely the best way to go. The hb allows you to go off the beaten path and find really nice narrow passages. Just don't go too narrow with the kayak unless you don't mind jumping out and flipping it around. We'd do passages, on jet skis, and we could touch both sides of the canyon. Because we were coming from Colorado we always went to Bullfrog for the houseboat. Not sure an outfitter really brings anything to the table. Powell makes it really easy to plan your own trip and the houseboats are really nice. We typically rented a 53ft boat so can't speak about smaller ones.

[Len n Jeanne]

Hmmm... maybe. We have a canoe that we take on a lot of trips around here in BC, ID, MT, WY: just out this morning on the Kootenay River. We have discussed trying the Colorado River on the flat portions near Moab as well as Lake Powell, but not seriously. We have paddled along with kayakers on a few occasions, and got on well. One thing about a canoe is that it has room for a lot of gear. We don't own a "pack it-in, pack it out" chemical toilet, but if somebody else did in the group, we should be able to carry it in the canoe, so keep us posted.