QC where to stay at Mead.

[MRS]

QC, I know you do Mead alot I have not been there for over fifteen years or so. We have been doing the Cottonwood and Havasu thing but I was thinking of going to Mead first or second week of October. When I would go before was with friends and we would just stay out on the lake for three or four days eat at the marinas it was great. But with the wife going I was wondering if they have any motels-hotels close by. I know Boulder beach use to have the little rooms there on the beach but that was along time a go. Plus last time I was there things were really changing so I am sure it is why different now Thanks for any info.8)

 

[QC]

Re: QC where to stay at Mead.

Hey!! I wanna go . . . Anyway. The rooms at Boulder Beach are still there though I have never stayed there. We always stay at the Hacienda Hotel and Casino now. It is just 1 minute or so from the entrance to the Park. The one that you would probably use to get to Boulder Beach. You can come in from the Henderson side, but we usually drive thorugh Boulder City now and the road from the City to the Lake (also road to the dam, I think Highway 93) goes straight to the Hacienda. Rooms are cheap and there is something to do after you get off the lake . . .

Hacienda

You can also stay at a couple of different places in Henderson. If you want to go to the middle of nowhere you can stay at Temple Bar. Long drive as you have to go over the Dam and head South to go North to go East . . . You can also get there from Kingman. Great place if you really want to get away from everything and the rooms are on the water. Additionally, you can stay at Echo Bay, but that is our least favorite part of the lake. Still good, but Boulder Basin is more fun and the Temple Basin blows them all away.

 

[MRS]

Re: QC where to stay at Mead.

QC, long time since talked to you hope things are going good for you and hope things are going better for your wife to. I knew you would be the Mead info. person I want to go back to Mead so bad but the wife likes Havasu (relatives there) I like it to but it is not Mead I think she is just about ready for a change so we will see. The only thing that really scarce me is when I show her where we will stay if we go to Mead I will not be able to bust her off the slot machines with a Crowbar. Thanks again8)

 

[QC]

Re: QC where to stay at Mead.

Cool. Yeah, thanks for mentioning the wife, she's doing fine.

We have a lot of fun with the Hacienda and Mead combo. We were just there on Labor Day weekend. Safest place to boat on the Holiday weekends, because it is so big. A great little side trip is to Willow Beach on Mohave. Have you ever been all the way to the dam from Cottonwood? Willow is most of thew way to the dam and only about a half hour from the Hacienda. Especially good as an alternative if the wind is blowing hard.

 

[MRS]

Re: QC where to stay at Mead.

QC, Thanks for the info. I have been working out of town just got back. Looks like we are going to Havasu Natical Inn gave us a deal we could not pass up but wife said next time is Mead time I have been up to dam before nice boat ride but the water can sure get Cold there. Thanks again.8)

 

[rmurray]

Re: QC where to stay at Mead.

I'd like to revive this thread if that's ok. Going to Mead in two weeks for a 4-day houseboat vacation. Bringing along two 21' boats and a couple tents. Unfortunately, houseboat goes out of Echo Bay (Overton Arm is nice, but...). Is there anywhere within 20 miles that would be a great place to beach? Looking for a good cove with some shelter from the wind and a nice beach to camp. 20 miles is probably a 2.5 hour drive in a houseboat. That's about as much gas as we want to use. We'll be leaving on a Thursday so we should beat weekend travelers. Any suggestions are most appreciated. Thanks!

 

[QC]

Re: QC where to stay at Mead.

Yes, looks like 17 Miles, but the place you describe is Mushroom Reef. It is close to Temple Bar for supplies too. Only bummer is that it is becoming a little popular so there will be other boats there. Probably only houseboats on the Weekdays. I was there on Sat. and Sun. and there were probably 15 other boaters . . . As soon as we left the relatively protected bay etc., back to nobody. Definitely less traffic than Glory and Kline Hole across from Echo Bay . . .

 

[rmurray]

Re: QC where to stay at Mead.

Thanks for the info. Using the map I have, Mushroom Reef isn't very discernible. It looks like it might possibly be on the eastern shore just North of Haystack Bay. It looks like there is a flashing red marker in the middle of the basin at this point. Does that sound right? Is it just one cove, or is it a collection of coves? Although this is a long shot, you wouldn't happen to have GPS coordinates of this place, would you? Thanks again!!!

 

[QC]

Re: QC where to stay at Mead.

Using the map I have, Mushroom Reef isn't very discernible. It looks like it might possibly be on the eastern shore just North of Haystack Bay.

Well maybe. Actually it is 2.2 miles due West of Haystack Bay. Maybe your other "East"

It looks like there is a flashing red marker in the middle of the basin at this point. Does that sound right?

Yes. It is at the #32 mile red marker.

Is it just one cove, or is it a collection of coves?

Actually the reefs are a Peninsula on the Western shore and a few Islands at this lake level. The whole area ("collection of coves") is called The Campanile and includes Mushroom Rock (or ***** Rock as we call it) which is an Island itself at higher levels.

Although this is a long shot, you wouldn't happen to have GPS coordinates of this place, would you?

What? You think you're dealing with some sort of amateur? Of course I do . . . N36 05.570 W114 20.104 Actually this is the Rock, but the #32 Marker is the "outside" of the reefs and the Rock is the inside. Mostly water between . . . Pretty well protected at this Lake Level as the reefs almost enclose the entire Campanile. Very good for tubing wakeboarding etc. right now, and there is a lot of sand. I do need to say that the water is dropping so fast that the stretch of beach immediately at water level is very muddy, but as it gets a little sun on it it is very good. One yard up the beach is dang good and the Houseboat will probably span this stretch when beached.

Thanks again!!!

My pleasure. There is nothing I 'd rather do than talk Lake Mead if I am not boating there . . .

 

[rmurray]

Re: QC where to stay at Mead.

WOOOOOW! I could never get this much information from the marinas! I just picked up a handheld GPS so I am programming it immediatley. Yep, like I said, the map wasn't very clear. We've visited Mead three times on houseboat trips and we've loved it everytime. Thanks again for the great info!

 

[rmurray]

Re: QC where to stay at Mead.

btw...w'll be there next weekend. We'll be the houseboat with all the drunks in the water!

 

[rmurray]

Re: QC where to stay at Mead.

QC, last post I swear! In looking at it up close (Google Earth), it looks like the sandy peninsula juts out into the lake. Is the shoreline throughout the Campanile sandy, or is it just the peninsula? It looks like it could get windy being out in the open like that. Last time we pitched a tent on the shore, it was blown over. We want to avoid that from happening this time. Actually, it looks like the south side of the peninsula could be a little more protected, but the pictures from Google Earth could be old. I honestly was hoping for something a little more secluded (you know, some long winding cove that leads to a hidden sandy beach surrounded by shear rock cliffs and cayon walls). I know, I'm dreaming, but that would be perfect...

If it doesn't get too windy at the reef, it should be a perfect spot for us. Cahedral Cove to the north was perfect except the shore was not sand, all pebbles. Thanks again. I already marked the coordinates!

 

[bucky7680]

Re: QC where to stay at Mead.

The lake has been dropping 1ft per week and the shore line is changing daily. Islands are now penisulas and new rocks pop out of the water all the time. Still 200+ ft of water just be careful around the shore. The wind is always the wild card on Mead.

 

[QC]

Re: QC where to stay at Mead.

Well . . . hmmmmm. I really don't know anywhere that is like Cathedral with a Beach at the end. Sounds pretty good though The closest thing is probably Burro Bay (N36 01.001 W114 14.500) or Gateway Cove (N36 00.773 W114 16.796) and they're another 7 miles and I can't guarantee any sand . . . plus I have not been in either with the water this low. Could be the best ever . . .

I took a look at Google Earth and I think that was shot around 2004 or so at about 1150 ft. The lake is 35 ft. lower today and the little underwater green areas on that shot are all dry now. The Peninsula almost joins the Islands to the north of it and the rise to the South is pretty high. I was there Saturday and Sunday. The wind will blow out of the South so the Peninsula where all the boats are beached will protect you some, but definitely not completely.

I do have another idea though, a place that we call Dan's Beach . . . (N36 06.626 W114 25.846) It is in the Gypsum Bay area and I was there on Friday last week. There is a lot of small patches of sand and some very protected spots. The downside is that it is father for supplies and not as picturesque. Some spots with almost turquoise water though What I think I would do is head for East Point (N36 08.100 W114 23.000) and send a smaller boat(s) to scope out both. Mushroom and Dan's are each about 15 minutes from there without the big boat.

One final idea is a spot we found on Sunday (N36 04.553 W114 19.898) We named it Cave Cove as there is a little cave that is exposed by the lower water. It is just south and around the corner from Mushroom. I remember saying that it would be a good place for a Houseboat (it might have been one more cove to the West from there, 1/4 mile or so). Not real confident of the sand quality, but it is worth a look.

Wish I was going . . . and I just left there We're doing Powell in August, so I don't feel too bad

 

[rmurray]

Re: QC where to stay at Mead.

Once again I am amazed at the sharing of info here! This is awesome! I didn't realize 1 ft per week was the rate. That seems huge. We really need a few wet winters. With our two 21' boats, radios and GPS in hand, we will be taking your advice and checking out a few spots ahead of the houseboat. I'm sure we'll find something nice. Thanks for the waypoints!