Best Time to visit Lake Powell? March?

M

Montana Kev

New member
Heading to lake powell the last week of March. How busy does it get with Spring Break boaters in late March? We will mostly be touring with sea kayaks and beach camping. Any advise welcomed.

Thanks,
Kevin
 
Kevin
Late March is a great time to visit Lake Powell. No worries about crowds; even Memorial Day isn't busy! Check the website attached to my post. From the kayaking perspective, the water is still cold, it will be the lowest water of the year (inflow begins in April), and the weather at that time can be anything. Spring winds can be an issue but at least you should be able to discount Flash Floods! Hiking is especially attractive at this time of the year.
Les
 
Hi Kevin,

I think it depends on your perspective. March can still be chilly there, and the water is cold. Here is a link to some monthly average temps...

http://www.desertusa.com/colorado/Glenn ... a_map.html

Yes, I know the adage: no bad weather, just bad clothing choices. With average night time lows in the 30s in March, my perspective is that I'd be more comfortable in my C-Dory with the heater running than kayaking and beach camping. But, I've been known to need a winter jacket in WA in July. ;)

Sounds like fun if your prepared with lots of layers.

Best wishes,
Jim B.
 
Lake Powell in March is beautiful. The water temperature over the winter is around 49 degrees and doesn't start warming up until late May or June, so you won't be doing much swimming. It can be very windy in the spring, but it can be windy any time. There are few people compared to other times of the year. We spent several days up the Escalante last spring and never saw another boat or human. It was beautiful. The San Juan is very isolated and you probably would see few people there either. Off season trips are usually much more pleasant due to the smaller crowds. Late fall is about the same, except the water is beginning to cool down instead of warm up.
 
Tony said:
"The water temperature over the winter is around 49 degrees and doesn't start warming up until late May or June, so you won't be doing much swimming."
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WOW, that's warm (49), With temps like that might be hard to keep Bill (DaNerd) out of the water there. Even our bay off Juan de Fuca is low 40ish, might be up to 45 by March.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
Good feedback everyone, thanks. Considering the ice won't be off anything here in Montana till May (including my drive way), Powell sounds wonderful.

Kevin
 
Kevin -
Keep us all posted on when you think you'll be on Powell - we'll be there in early spring also, with no dates chosen yet, but might intersect while you are there and it would be great to say "hi."
 
The dates right now look something like this - Arrive Wahweap March 24th and camp there that night. Kayak the 25th, 26th, 27th. We will probably spend the first part of the week in St. George (we hope to get a winter home there some day). Would be great to say hello to anyone that will be in the area.

Kevin
 
Take lots of pictures and be sure to post them here! We did Powell in 2008 and 2009 in the fall with the group, and even though it represents 5 days of driving to get 9 or 10 days on the water for us, we now have a hard time imaging how we would rather spend a two week vacation. It is awesome in the true sense of the word!


Montana Kev":2ssiyqdg said:
The dates right now look something like this - Arrive Wahweap March 24th and camp there that night. Kayak the 25th, 26th, 27th. We will probably spend the first part of the week in St. George (we hope to get a winter home there some day). Would be great to say hello to anyone that will be in the area.

Kevin
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May be at the lake at that time. First week and last week of the month are typically the only times that I have a prayer of getting out of the office, at least until retirement which is now only five months away!

Always fun to meet Montana folk having been raised there. Walk down "A dock" and see if I'm around. Hang a right between the first restrooms and the marina store. March is when we usually get things squared away for the beginning of Lake Time, so maybe.
 
Does Frequent Sea now live at Wahweap?

And only 5 months? It is 3 years, 11 months and 1 day for me, but who's counting? :shock:

Hooked on Powell":3axqa3yr said:
May be at the lake at that time. First week and last week of the month are typically the only times that I have a prayer of getting out of the office, at least until retirement which is now only five months away!

Always fun to meet Montana folk having been raised there. Walk down "A dock" and see if I'm around. Hang a right between the first restrooms and the marina store. March is when we usually get things squared away for the beginning of Lake Time, so maybe.
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Pat Anderson":2u695qp8 said:
Does Frequent Sea now live at Wahweap?

And only 5 months? It is 3 years, 11 months and 1 day for me, but who's counting? :shock:

Hooked on Powell":2u695qp8 said:
May be at the lake at that time. First week and last week of the month are typically the only times that I have a prayer of getting out of the office, at least until retirement which is now only five months away!

Always fun to meet Montana folk having been raised there. Walk down "A dock" and see if I'm around. Hang a right between the first restrooms and the marina store. March is when we usually get things squared away for the beginning of Lake Time, so maybe.
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

First that I've seen a proposed date from you, Pat. Saying it out loud (or writing it out loud :wink: ) makes it real. Congrats to you for taking this next step!

Best wishes,
Jim
 
Just remember that the water level will be very low. The lake doesn't begin to fill until the snow melts in the Rockies, this means that the Castle Rock will be closed forcing you to make an extra 12 mile detour to get the the main lake. Now if you are just kayaking you can portage the Cut and save a few hours.
 
Pat, Frequent Sea was sold to "Hooked on Powell" last July, and is a perment resident in the Wahweep Marina (except when out boating on the lake).

We have seen some very heavy weather in the Spring on Powell, but being prepared for that, it would be great paddling. There are some long fetches, and the lake can get rough if the wind pipes up. Could be difficult paddling--but the good news is that there are lots of places to go ashore. Sand blowing could be a probelm with wind also. Also I doubt that Dangling Rope Marina would be open at that time of the year. Beautiful place.
 
Montana Kev,

Seem to be experiencing a slow start at the office this morning, at least that's my excuse for checking out the brats instead of doing something productive. Hmm.. that didn't come out quite right.
Anyway, I realize I didn't actually get to the main point on the previous post, but Dr. Bob did.
You will want to keep a real close eye on the weather and consider the forecast on the radio as just a general suggestion of what might be in store. The main thing to look out for is the wind. It can come up quickly and unexpectedly, especially in the spring. The wind can get channeled around by the canyons and even when you are in fairly open areas can make its way around the compass like an amusement park ride. 10 or 20 mph forecasted winds can easily turn into 40+ mph from any and all directions if there is any kind of front coming through, or just because it decides to blow. Just be sure you're on a real good anchor or tied down very well to the beach.

Be careful, be safe and you are going to have a great time. Lake Powell is a magical place.
 
Looking for recommendations on books about boating lake Powell. I have a great book on Yellowstone called "Paddling Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks". Was hoping to find something similar on Powell.

Thanks,
Kevin
 
I haven't seen a Paddling Lake Powell, but that doesn't mean its not out there. I use the Stan Jones Map and Boaters Guide to Lake Powell by Michael R. Kelsey. Between those 2 it sould give a lot to look at. There is a website called www.kayakpowell.com
 
Any suggestions for a great beach to tent camp on our first night out, between 10 and 20 miles from Wahweap? This is our first time on Powell and will be in Kayaks this trip. 25th-28th of March is the plan.

Thanks,
Kevin
 
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