08/21 - 08/24 - Lake Yellowstone, Wyoming

SeaWolf Joe - A total hip replacement? Do they do partials? Just kidding. All my joints are working - it is the soft organs from top to bottom which need replacement. If for some good fortune for the C-Brats you can make Yellowstone Lake this August, you will find the fishing here quite challenging, viz., because one has to use barbless hooks. But the positive side (if you like fishing for lake trout) is that there is no limit. And the lake has thousands of them feeding on the native cutthroat trout. The NPS considers them an invasive species and wants them removed. In late August the critters will begin moving to spawning areas. Four & five pounders are common. Last fall a ranger acquaintance showed me a 20 pounder he had caught trolling with a leaded line and a big spoon.
Yelowstone John
 
Just clicked on this link and noticed Yellowstone's comments. I am originally from Big Timber and used to hit the bars in White Sulpher more than I should. We probably crossed paths at one point or another. Now out in Annapolis (98 degrees today) wishing we were at Yellowstone Lake.

Won't be able to make it out there in August, but you guys enjoy - I know I would.

Gerry Etzold
 
The idea (expressed by SeaWolf Joe) of combining Yellowstone in late August with September time on Lake Powell is great!! We are planning to do that, and we could trailer in tandem with Joe and/or others, from WY to UT (for the 'safety' and enjoyment) if you wish. Might want to 'hang' in Yellowstone a few days into September since it seems the main group for Powell is thinking of arriving around the middle of the month -- or perhaps we could make a stop for a few days at Flaming Gorge Reservoir en route south to Powell.

http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/flaming.htm

http://www.geocities.com/bill_fiero/flamingrks.htm

Perhaps others (Yellowstone John) would like to combine the three (oh so different) lakes into one grand slam of glorious western lakes -- Yellowstone, Flaming Gorge, Powell -- oooh!

Or perhaps some now planning on Lake Powell would like to start their 'vacation' by joining us first at Flaming Gorge and then trailer tandem down to Lake Powell.

Any thoughts about this proposal?

Those of you linked to the four letter w-word referred to by Roger (C-Hawk), sure hope you are on 'plan' for retirement (like the discussion initiated by Ron on Meander) so you can ponder a future Western Lake Grand Slam.
 
We have just been thinking the same thing since reading the posts this morning. We are thinking about meeting in Yellowstone, visiting Teton, then Flaming Gorge, and possible Zion, Bryce, and would like to visit the Grand Canyon since we have never been. Also Lake Powell.

We have been to Lake Powell several times but never had the time to visit the other areas that are so close.

Does anyone have any experience with visiting the Grand Canyon with a CD 22 in tow? Do we need to go to the south side to visit? Any other general info?

We gave up the W word for the most part but also gave up the M word (money). So we plan on camping as much as possible in the boat. Sure hope gas does not go above $5/gal by then.

Thanks,
Steve & Karen
 
Hi Bill and El,

The 21st is fine for us, but I'll miss the other three days because of (gasp!) work. As plans firm up, keep me posted and I'll have Joan schedule some seats on the scenic cruiser. The cost is inexpensive. It's not C-Dorying, but it's a pretty impressive boat.

Let me know what we can do. Pat sent me a PM, asking about nearby camping. Bridge Bay Campground is one of the largest in Yellowstone and is very near the marina. Reservations are a must...

http://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/c ... wstone.htm

That campground doesn't have hook-ups. If anyone is RV camping and needs hookups, check the above link for the Fishing Bridge RV Park.

For those planning to stay on your boats, the marina has electric and water at each slip, but there isn't a shower house nearby. The docks are nice, and if you are on B dock, you have an entertaining view of the rental boats.

As Jay mentioned, you can't anchor out without a backcountry permit, and then only in specified areas - the marina is really the best option. There is a general store there, restrooms, a pumpout, and fuel.

Yellowstone is BIG... over 2 million acres; the second largest National Park in the lower 48. Less than 10% of it is water, so there is LOTS to explore on land, too. By late August, it may be getting chilly again, so play for layered clothing.

Should be fun.

Best wishes,
Jim
 
The closest shower that I know of is located at the fishing bridge campground laundry house. Its clean and all the time you want for a couple bucks. Its approximately 5 miles or so from the Marina. That's where we go.

Jay
 
I have to work untill Sept. but I have some down time before school starts and we where planning on going to Twin Falls for some family stuff then off to Lake Powell or Flaming G...Maybe we can catch up to the GSGWLC, or, better know as the grand slam of glorious western lakes caravan.

The kid is doing good,a lot of time in the weight room has turned him into a big kid...no football at his school though, that grand kid tearing them up at MSU?
 
Yellowstone":3o8v5j2a said:
Jay - funny how my brain transposes places. i.e., Pinedale for Cokeville.
Please ignore my earlier mail. Yellowstone John
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Yep John know how that works. Just a little further here to Cokeville. Would like to make it up there the 14th, but need to save some days off for August, so will see you then.

Jay
 
OK -- been reminded that a Grand Slam requires four winning experiences. So, for those interested in making the Grand Slam of Glorious Western Lakes (GSGWL), we propose the addition of Lake Teton, in Grand Teton National Park. It will be right off the road on the way driving south through the Park from Yellowstone en route to Flaming Gorge, and there's a launch ramp at Colter Bay.

What a trip! It's enough to imagine a small group of C-Dorys on Yellowstone Lake, but then add in the image of a short cruise at the base of Grand Teton NP, a cruise through the brilliant walls of Flaming Gorge, and then poking around in the slot canyons of Lake Powell. A true Grand Slam!
 
Jackson Lake in the Tetons has a ramp at Signal Mountain and mooring balls a short distance away. Nice rustic campground there, too. There is a marina near Colter Bay (Leeks Marina), but I don't know if they are operating... over the last few years, the lake level has been low and their docks were out of the water. Call ahead for that one.

Yellowstone John - I will be working on Saturday. I'm sure you'll be anxious to get in the water, but if you have a few minutes, come by the marina office or the Lake Queen so we can meet. If I see your boat, I'll try to get away. Looking forward to meeting you.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
OK, Just made reservations for the campground and boat slip for Aug 21-25. :D I hope these are they dates. It took me about four numbers to get to the right place for the boat slip. If anyone is interested you want to talk to Elliot 307-242-3876. Tell him your one of the C-Dory people and he will take care of you. (He's a good ol southern boy from Georgia.) If anyone needs, we are going to have 30' RV and the boat so can accommodate some other folks.
 
Skipper of Wild Blue - Jim, I didn't see your 25' cruiser last summer at the marina - Perhaps you didn't have it yet. But I did see the sliver tour boat leave its dock numerous times. We will look you up once we arrive Saturday. Since fishing doesn't start until Sunday, our only task is launching and getting out the folding chairs, weather permitting. Looking forward to making your acquaintance. See you Saturday early afternoon.
Yellowstone John and Edna
 
El and Bill - We can't make it to Lake Powell (been there three times) because of unavoidable conflicts, but moving down to the Tetons and Flaming Gorge sounds like fun. Edna and I during our upcoming trip to Yellowstone plan to do a day trip to the Tetons and Jackson Lake. so we will scope out the facilities. This has been a very wet year in the mountain west, so even though Jackson Lake is basically a reservior, the chances for higher water is good. Last year (in September) we left the Far West II in its slip and drove over to Lewis Lake with canoes for a look at Shoshone Lake. The Lewis River (the 3 mile channel between the two lakes) was so low that only kayaks could be pulled up stream. probably the lowest water in fifty years. Yellowstone Lake, ,however, looks real good right now, and the snow pack is way above average. John
 
Ken - the grandson is tearing them up - had a great year last season - and going into his final year this fall. This spring scouts from the Pittsburg Steelers and the San Diego Chargers came to see him this past spring and had him run the forty yard dash and gave him the NFL's intelligence test called the Wonderlic. He plays defensive tackle at 6'4" and 297. Bench presses 450. Speed? He is in the top 10 of the nation for defensive tackles from all levels. But he is an honor student in environmental engineering and already has job offers. These kids are only one injury away from playing in the pros. When one looks at the grim statistics of life expectany of football players, boating makes more sense. John
 
SeaBran (Steve and Karen) -

We would not suggest trailering your boat when you visit Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce, etc. Lots of tourists rubber-necking on the roads in summer. Would suggest you 'park the boat' at Powell after your cruise and then drive the loop -- drive south to North Rim of Grand Canyon (fewer tourists, cooler, and the view into the canyon is steeper and more sheer). Then north to Zion, Bryce, Kodachrome Basin State Park, Capitol Reef, and back down to the ferry and Lake Powell. This would work if you enjoy tenting out (or have a car, like a station wagon or pickup where you could sleep in the back).

Of course, you could pull the boat on such a loop, for camping inside, but that would be less fuel-efficient, more hazardous in summer traffic, and certainly more difficult on some of the roads. Here's a caution traversing Zion NP:

State Route 9 traverses the park, connecting Interstate 15 and Utah Highway 89. Many travelers drive the highway to reach various parts of the park, or outlying destinations. However, this highway has a narrow, 1.1 mile long tunnel about six miles into the park. All vehicles 13'1" tall or taller may not enter the tunnel at any time. This includes all semi trucks, which are prohibited from driving through the park. However, many drivers are routed this way and can arrive after hours. Drivers that disregard the park signs have gotten stuck in the tunnel or caused accidents trying to turn around.

In addition, the National Transportation Safety Board has determined that any vehicle greater than 7'10" wide or greater than 11'4" tall must traverse the tunnel by driving down the center. The Park does provide an escort service to help motorists safely accomplish this task, but only during daylight hours. Visitors in oversized vehicles who arrive in darkness risk a possible head-on collision if they enter the tunnel without a park escort.
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So, if you can camp and 'tour' without the boat behind, we think it would be much easier and relaxing for you.
 
flrockytop (Roger)

-- what a special treat to think that you will be at Yellowstone -- all the way from Pensacola. Those dates seem to be the best from all who have responded. Do you think you might continue south for the Grand Slam?

Yellowstone (John)

-- sorry you won't be able to return to Powell, but it will be great to share the run south and the cruising on Teton and Flaming Gorge.
 
Yellowstone":38e4klxw said:
Skipper of Wild Blue - Jim, I didn't see your 25' cruiser last summer at the marina - Perhaps you didn't have it yet. ...
Yellowstone John and Edna
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Hi John,
We were only in Yellowstone last year for a week, around the 4th of July. Then it was on to the Pacific Northwest for a couple months. It was that stay at Yellowstone that prompted us to do the working thing this summer.

The weather is supposed to be good for next weekend - should be a great time for you on the lake. We'll look forward to meeting you.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
El and Bill":1v4eja9g said:
flrockytop (Roger)

Do you think you might continue south for the Grand Slam?

.
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YES, I would not miss the chance to visit these places with an exert as yourself. By the way, the SPOT worked great. I'm putting together a report to post.
 
I was planning on going to Yellowstone the 24th of july. Maybe I should postpone that one and go in august. Would be more fun with more c-brats around.
 
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