Las vegas/Lake Mead

[88wellcraft]

Re: Las vegas/Lake Mead

yup...will do.....just have to find a rental place over there.....little bit of a tow for our boat....i'd like to check out temple bar. we lucked out with the wind....tuesday was fantastic

 

[QC]

Re: Las vegas/Lake Mead

Mead with no wind is magical. I am so glad you saw that. I am forever in love with the place and that is one of the reasons why.

 

[12vMan]

Re: Las vegas/Lake Mead

Glad you had such a great trip 88. Like QC said about Mead with no wind, I've been in the Virgin Basin by East Point looking up the Overton Arm when the water level was up, and with no wind you saw glass as far as the eye could see...clear to the horizon..and when you're underway cruising in these conditions it can almost get boring if you're just driving the boat because it never waivers. Just the humm of the motor. What awesome ski conditions though!

 

[Pierutrus]

Re: Las vegas/Lake Mead

Glad you had such a great trip 88. Like QC said about Mead with no wind, I've been in the Virgin Basin by East Point looking up the Overton Arm when the water level was up, and with no wind you saw glass as far as the eye could see...clear to the horizon..and when you're underway cruising in these conditions it can almost get boring if you're just driving the boat because it never waivers. Just the humm of the motor. What awesome ski conditions though!

I love that type of boring.
When you can stop right in the middle, put up your flag and go for a dip!

 

[QC]

Re: Las vegas/Lake Mead

My favorite is actually the Virgin Basin, right after a big blow, but then the wind stops dead. There are swells like the ocean, but glass. Only seen it once, but soooooo cool. Often seen the Virgin Basin totally glassed off, and 12V I've seen the Gregg Basin glassed off from one end to the other also. Amazing.

 

[12vMan]

Re: Las vegas/Lake Mead

My favorite is actually the Virgin Basin, right after a big blow, but then the wind stops dead. There are swells like the ocean, but glass. Only seen it once, but soooooo cool. Often seen the Virgin Basin totally glassed off, and 12V I've seen the Gregg Basin glassed off from one end to the other also. Amazing.

I know what you mean.like the calm AFTER the storm..pretty cool. Gregg is awesome when glassed off. Heading to Sandy Point when it's glassy kinda reminds me of the beginning of that old series 'Run For Your Life' when they're driving across the salt flats and the mountain in the distance never gets any closer..

 

[SoCalSeaman]

Re: Las vegas/Lake Mead

Hi,
Two families heading to Mead in a few weeks with a houseboat (out of Callville) and a boat to cruise as well. Any suggestions on best coves to teach kids to ski, wakeboard and have some seclusion? We only have the rental for 4 days.
QC, I see youre in Chino Hills too.. maybe I can pick your brain about the do's and dont's if you dont mind?
Thanks,
Lee

 

[QC]

Re: Las vegas/Lake Mead

Basically the same as PM sent, but I fixed typos :redface:

Hey Lee,

You really ought to read all of the Mead threads, but I can tell you that if you want to be within one or two hours of Callville, the only real choice is Sandy Cove or Hamblin Bay. Both are 15 mins from Callville so they are popular. We prefer Mushroom Reef, but that's 3 - 4 hours by Houseboat (closer to Temple Bar). With houseboats you usually are looking for sand to beach on. That's where Gypsum Reefs can be hit and miss. Great area, with some beautiful formations, but not as scenic as the area around Callville, and especially by Temple Bar. Glass is totally dependent on wind. The entire Virgin basin can glass off, and even if it is blowing in the Narrows it's worth a look. Something magical about that place. HOWEVER, if it blows, there's nowhere scarier!! My best recommendation is heed the warnings about the stern facing open water. Tie up like your lives depend on it, you have no idea how many times we have had to scramble as a group to keep houseboats from beaching sideways and destroying support boats.

 

[QC]

Re: Las vegas/Lake Mead

More PM stuff:

There is no sand on the south side near Callville. None. I appreciate that you get the significance of the protection from the wind on the south shore. Use that for trips to the Dam too. Not great from the uphill side, but still worth a trip if you stay near Callville. If you do go to the dam check into Castle Rock Cove. Nice one. You could get a meal at Lake Mead Marina/Las Vegas Bay on that trip, and the Hemenway Wall is the most dependable glass as it completely blocks the wind. 20 minute ride in your boat from Callville.

There are some spots in Bonelli Bay or Gypsum that can work, with the water rising you should eliminate the worst thing lately which is yucky mud. You may hate it though.

What's your support boat like? If you hesitate to cross Mohave's basin then I'd be reluctant to suggest trips to Temple Bar in your boat (or Gypsum or Bonelli). Do you have enough room for everyone to go along? You need to see Temple Basin, Mushroom Reef, and crossing the Virgin Basin is a real treat. Awesome and glasses off often!! If the wind comes up though the return could be a flippin' disaster. I've done it in really nasty stuff near dark and I never want to do that again. If you can load everyone up I'd be tempted to leave the Houseboat in Sandy Cove or Hamblin.

You MUST go to the back of Wishing Well cove and make a left (10 mins from Callville). Don't give up until you are all of the way back. There is a slot canyon there that is very worth it, but you can't see the entrance until you are there or another boat comes out and reveals it.

I have often said that hanging a left out of Callville and tying up would be the most relaxing trip. Never done it, but even employees at Calville do it on their own vacations. Midweek it will be pretty deserted. Have fun!!!

 

[Woody62]

Re: Las vegas/Lake Mead

88wellcraft,

Looks like I am planning an exact replica of what trip you mentioned here. Any incite on the best recommendations on spots to stop or see would be welcome? Also renting from LVBH and wondered how much you spent on fuel and if the tank held enough for the day so I can budget?

Woody

Well....trip is done....had an awesome time on the lake....sounds like we got lucky....the rental people said they didn't send any boats out on monday beacause of the wind. Tuesday was beautiful though....not much wind and about 90 degrees i believe. enjoyed seeing the dam and cruised from the boat harbor all the way to the dam then narrows and back by sandy cove and calville bay.

thanks Everybody for the suggestions!!!

 

[Woody62]

Re: Las vegas/Lake Mead

sorry for the old post, thought I'd PM him....