Lake Mead boat/camp??

[AngelC]

Hey fellows,

I've only boated at Havasu and never on a holiday. I've been wanting to go check out Lake Mead; I here it is very nice that way. I have my first trip planned out their for the third week of April. I'm looking to go camping. I've camped their before but never boated. Can anyone recommend somewhere to launch and camp anywhere on the lake. I know it is a huge lake; I've heard that Temple Bar is very nice part of Mead with calm and pristine waters. I've also heard that the winds can get pretty wild out their on Mead.I'm looking to pitch a tent and camp at hopefully a really nice cove or beach, preferably with some protection from the high winds. Can anyone recommend a certain spot to camp,launch,tube,swim, etc. I'd be going with my family. Are their places near by to gas up or maybe buy groceries, ice, or supermarkets?? Just trying to get all the info I can before I set sail. Any info would really help.

Thanks,
__________________

 

[arks]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

We toured the southwest back in 2001 with a motorhome, and stayed at a campground right at Temple Bar. The road from the interstate was dirt and probably 20 miles long, It was July and the place was completely deserted- I mean not even ONE other camper. I guess it was too hot for the locals! The campsites I saw were set up for motorhomes or trailers- didn't see any tent sites. Not much shade, either. I think they had a small store at the marina.
We rented a Jet Ski and WOW, what a gorgeous area! I remember it was breezy and the boat ramp muddy, but the lake was calm and clear as a bell. The marina was really small compared to the massive ones closer to Vegas.
Other than being alone, we had a nice time there. Apparently it's a good place to see the lake without the crowds.

 

[QC]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

Try this thread for some good info on Mead.

And we love Temple Bar . . . there is another option there too for those that would rather stay in a hotel. You can launch in the Boulder Basin which is a much shorter tow from L.A. First day, run the 30 something miles to Temple Bar and stay at the fishing lodges or the rooms. They're very primitive, but clean, and there are slips there, so just rent one, stay a couple nights and come back on last day to Boulder.

Big weather is a huge risk with this plan BTW. If you are stuck crossing the Virgin Basin during a blow it can get very serious, fast. The whole lake can (Havasu for that matter too). When the summer monsoons whip up thunderstorms they can come out of nowhere and throw a bunch of boats on the beach, swamp 'em etc. People drown every year in these blows. Can get VERY nasty, VERY fast at any of the Colorado River Lakes, sometimes you have to run and hide for safety and wait them out

 

[H8tank]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

I would plan on taking everything you will need with you, you can get extra ice and drinks + fuel from the marinas, but not groceries really.

There are any one of a 1000 places to camp on Mead, it is that big. Launch early in the day, and check out the lake, your boat will do you good there.

I have never experienced really harsh weather there, only been 5-6 times, but with moderate chop, just take'r easy.

 

[QC]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

I have never experienced really harsh weather there, only been 5-6 times, but with moderate chop, just take'r easy.

Consider yourself VERY lucky and in deep debt to the Weather Gods . . . In fact you have now officially tempted them and jinxed yourself Bad combination.

Last year there was a storm at Havasu, I think Labor Day, that sunk seven boats in front of the Nautical Inn. Memorial Weekend 2007, I think it was, Mead closed for all launching for 2 days. Three people drowned the day before. It was the longest extension of a blow that I can recall. I have house boated 8 - 10 times on Mead and we have had an all-hands-on-deck storm every trip. Usually lasts less than an hour, but it can be one harrowing hour for sure.

I have also had glass that has extended for 25 miles for 2 - 3 days in a row. Interestingly enough the best glass and the biggest water can both be had in the Virgin Basin. It is HUGE so the wind is not funnelled into it. Buttt, if there is an extended blow it can get big swells that run all of the way up into the Virgin Arm. The "fetch" (distance that wind can run over water unobstructed) from the bottom of Bonelli Bay to the Islands in the Virgin Arm is 15 miles and it often blows directly up that "alley". Due to this, many boats come out of Echo Bay head south and turn around as soon as they get below the Islands. It can be really BIG in there . . .

 

[H8tank]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

I've only been in September each time, so perhaps that is a good Month to go.

Will be there this September too!

 

[QC]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

Yes September is typically a good month . . .

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

some picts of the docks at temple for you. i had a pic of the cabins QC was talking about but there taken from the docks looking up and to far to realy see much

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[QC]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

Man, I need those pics like a hole in the head. I love Temple Bar

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

QC; the ramp[first pic] is closed due to low water. i'v been watching the lake level and it has come up three feet or so since i was down there last.
do you think this would be enough for them to open te ramp?

 

[QC]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

There is a report here . Hopefully we'll gain some elevation this year as we are off to a decent start. There are some great links to data for this:

Snowpak (click the "Snow" button toward the right and up some)

Historical lake levels.

These days they are filling Powell first, so Mead may languish some even in a good water year. I actually like the Lake low as some coves are more spectacular and there are more beaches. With that said, I like 1210' best as that makes an easy run to the Grand Canyon

 

[AngelC]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

QC Edit: I asked Angel to post what was originally a PM between us . . .

Hello QC,

I've read alot of your post and you seem to have the most actual experinces on Lake Mead. I hope you don't me mind asking you for some recommendations. I plan to go out to Mead the third week of April. I was planning on going camping with my family but I'm not sure now after reading about the WINDS. Have you ever camped on Mead? Would you recommend my family and I camp or look for somewhere to stay. I don't want them to have a bad experience. I've heard of people loosing there tents and awnings like "Poof" gone broken into pieces. I'm also coming in from Orange County. Do you recommend Temple Bar or should I be launching from somewhere else.I want to find some nice cove/beach to set up and then go play on the water. I saw the pic of your family at Mushroom Reef; looks very nice out their. Where would you say I look toward doing this; also keep in mind trying to avoid wild winds if at all possible?? Any info I would really appreciate. I'm trying to be prepared and hopefully routed out for good times!!

Thank you QC,

Angel
---End Quote---

Well hmmmmmm . . . April is very unpredictable. Could get cold rain even . . . There is no tent protection at any of the possible camping spots (no trees). Mushroom Reef for example is VERY exposed. There are also no "campsites", just sand etc. Also, Temple Bar is a 6 hour tow for you and me. So, I'd much rather see you have a chance to fall in love with Mead as opposed to learning to hate it first trip.

With all of that said, I am going to recommend for April that you camp in the AZ state sites at Havasu . . . I like that you can easily get to a hotel (the Nautical) if it gets really nasty. Also, there are trees, stove/bbq things, picnic benches etc.

In either case it is entirely possible that you will spend a night keeping your boat from being swamped or banging on the beach etc. This can be avoided with good sound mooring methods. I am not trying to scare you and there wil be plenty of people that will tell you, "no problem we went in April and it was glass". The good news about April is cool nights. My biggest concern is having you experience a baaaad storm for the first time at night, with your family scared and you not having support from another guy.

Prevailing winds from April to October are out of the South, remember they swirl all kinds of directions in the coves, so that is a kind of general tip.

Oh, finally, FWIW I am not a stick in the mud. I am actually kind of a risk taker, but I am saying these things from experience. The first time I ever went to the River (Needles area) as a kid was April '75. We camped and had a great week. It definitely blew, but the river is less of a concern because it is narrow and the current keeps it flat. I have never camped on Mead except with a Houseboat which is not camping, but even in August I have been scared there. I have been scared at Havasu too, but frankly I am usually saving other peoples boats, not mine, so I know that people learn these things the hard way. Depends on your experience and your family's familiarity with uncomfortable and stressful situations.

BTW, I'd like to repost this on your thread, but I'll leave it up to you.

 

[QC]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

Angel,

You mentioned that you wanted somewhere to stay. What we do is stay at the Hacienda Hotel and Casino. Since they closed the bridge to truck traffic it has basically become a Boaters hangout. We actually run into neighbors there. Lots of people from Brea, Fullerton etc.

It's 10 minutes to the launch ramp, and if it blows you can have a great day down at Willow Beach and make the run up to the back side of the dam (my avatar). Make sure to double check the rules concerning powered boats above Willow. Downriver from Willow is good too, the sides of the Canyon are really steep so the wind effect is kept to a minimum. Cold water though!!! The Lake will be warmer, but everywhere is cold in April.

 

[AngelC]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

QC Thanks again,

I will look into the Hacienda, I had forgot about the water in April!! lol I've gone to Mead before in April but we were camping on shore without a boat. The water was fine and it was already in the 90's. But again that was on shore in the shallow. Do you guys ever head out that time of year and swim?

 

[QC]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

If we get an early start to warmth it can be great. The kids always swim, but I am less tollerant these days . . .

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

Make sure to double check the rules concerning powered boats above Willow. Downriver from Willow is good too, the sides of the Canyon are really steep so the wind effect is kept to a minimum. Cold water though!!!

Been looking at this thread for a few days... and finally have a chance to reply.

Yes check the restrictions if hitting Willow Beach, it's closed to power boats of more the 70 (some) HP above the marina to the dam from Labor day to Memorial day and to all power boats every Sunday and Monday. (tree huggers )

I boat/fish Mead and Mojave all year long and picking a good day is all ways a craps shoot. If camping I prefer spring and fall, with April being a good time with nice weather. But just as QC has pointed out, Mead can turn nasty in a heart beat. Storms popping up out of no where, sudden wind storms, 60 MPH wind burst that lasts for a few minutes,,, just enough to rip your anchors loose and send your boat a drift,,, or maybe lasting all day and making 5-7' waves rolling down the lake. I've been in Vegas with perfect weather, then blowing like a hurricane at the lake so we headed back, got back to Vegas and it was perfectly calm Also been out there and seen storm cells hitting to the north and south of us while we were sitting in very nice conditions. A few times I have been run over by storm cells, hunkered down in a cove and rode it out,,, not fun. You just never know what it's going to be like...

Yes, these might be the exception, but I have seen them often enough to always be prepared; always use chain while anchoring off shore, try to tie off to a tree on shore or place a bunch of big rocks on top of the anchor line, anchor buried on shore. I always put stuff in the tent to keep it from blowing away and always stow things in the boat if going on shore and away from the boat,,, lost my son's life vest when a gust came up, got back to the boat and it was GONE, luckily we had a spare.

Heed the warnings, be prepared, error on the side of caution, but go ahead and have a good time.

QC's suggestion of the Hacienda is a good plan "B" if crappy weather hits.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

If we get an early start to warmth it can be great. The kids always swim, but I am less tollerant these days . . .

Ha Ha, I took the kids up river (above Willow Beach) last August in my tinny, found a nice shady cove and let them have at it. Water is 53* year round,,, but they could care less, me on the other hand was not going in any further than a tad over knee deep

 

[AngelC]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

Thanks for all the help; I think I'm probalbly going to go with QC and check out the Hacienda. I don't want to have to be chasing down my tent with one of my kids still in it. ha ha. QC Which Basin is one of the nicest with plenty of beach and nice coves. As you can tell I'm really excited and can't wait; so all I can do is prepare and try and route my self out meanwhile. So I'm appoligize if I might of asked the same question over and over. I just want my trip to be well planned and rememorable. I am looking in to buying a gps real soon. So if you fellows have any cordinates marked on your gps that would be really nice to have. I'd probably try and check them all out. I think I'll leave the camping for somewhere local like Silverwood lake.

 

[5thFish]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

One thing to be aware of if you're traveling to Mead from SoCal is the quaga mussel problem. There is a lot of information on...

http://www.nps.gov/lame/

When traveling back to SoCal you'll get stopped at a fruit and vegetable checkpoint outside Barstow. If you have a boat, you will get stopped, and they will inspect it, very carefully... the hull, trailer, and the bildge. Make sure you don't have any mussels and definately be sure the bildge is dry...

 

[QC]

Re: Lake Mead boat/camp??

Quaga deal is the same at all four entry points into CA from Mead, Mohave, Havasu and the river.

I have a ton of GPS points and I'll post some soon. I am on the road right now and don't have my GPS with me.

The issue Angel with a 20 footer is still weather. If you are staying at the Hacienda and launch at Hemenway then it is a 35 mile run to the Temple Basin which is my favorite (kinda tied with the Gregg Basin). That takes you across the Virgin Basin and if the wind comes up while you are on the other side you can get stuck.

Buuuut, I often stay in the Boulder Basin although almost entirely the east end. We usually go to the end there and take a run through the Narrows. You have to actually go through the Narrows to assess the Virgin Basin. It can be a little rough on the Boulder side and it can be even nasty in the Narrows and then you can come out and the entire Basin can be glassed off. If we come out and it is nasty, we stay on the Boulder side. If it's good, we head to Mushroom Reef or down into Bonneli Bay, or some other places in between.

My favorite spots are Mushroom Reef (30+ mile run and good sand), Bonneli Bay (about 20 miles and some variable sand), Wishing Well Cove (15 miles or so, no sand), Castle Cove (4 Miles, no real sand) and Sandy Point (50 miles). There is good sand at Sandy Cove and that's only around 10 miles, but it is very close to Callville Bay and the only real sand in all of the Boulder Basin, so it is crowded as far as Mead is concerned. Midweek no problem, and nothing compared to Havasu.