Escape the smoke - Lake Powell adventure

[scross]

Vicki and I left the San Juan’s on August 29th after our 3rd cruise of the season.
Without being able to foretell this smoke in the PNW we had planned our 4th 2020 cruise to be at Lake Powell from Sept. 23rd to Oct. 4th. Putting in and taking out at Wahweap Marina, north of Page, AZ.
Weather averages that time of year with highs in the 80’s, water temp at 70 degrees, clear sunny sky’s and no crowds. Diesel fuel and pump out available at Wahweap and 95 miles up lake at Bullfrog.
Another drought year might make the launch ramps unusable in 2021.
Would welcome anyone else who thinks this is a great way to close out the crazy 2020 season.

 

[vertigo]

We were treated to a surreal, other-worldly haze at Sucia Island yesterday. Couldn't seem to coax my guests out for a hike, so we returned to Deception Pass in zero-zero conditions, though we did luck into a pod of Orcas on the way.

 

[scross]

Excellent visibility on Lake Powell this week. Thought we were the only Tug in the lake until passing a Southwest bound newer RT with a light green hull at around mile marker 87.
Beautiful scenery with temps were in the mid-90s until cooling today. Last night was a wind event with 20 knots gusting to 45 knots. Awake from 3 AM to 6 AM as the wind howled. We had a good bottom for anchorage but very little wind protection. LOVE my Rocna 10 kg anchor with 60 feet of chain and a 5:1 scope!

 

[Red Raven]

Hi Al,

Glad to see you enjoying your cruise in Lake Powell! Beautiful!

 

[scross]

Curt,
Thanks!
Really an amazing cruise! It’s been in my bucket list since 2004 when I lived near Denver and bought the 242 Monterey Cruiser. Having the RT is a much better boat for this trip than the I/O Monterey cabin cruiser.
We were hoping to do the Broughtons this year but with Canada locked to us Lake Powell was a great Plan B. Maybe Yellowstone & Jackson Lakes next year after the Broughtons?
Safe travels!
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Edited to add photo links.

 

[Red Raven]

Al,

Beautiful shots! Thanks! Looks like a great trip. Perhaps we will see you in the Broughtons next year then!

Curt

 

[knotflying]

We did Yellowstone Lake on our way out to the PNW. Great marina and plenty of land sights to see. Well worth the trip.

 

[scross]

Back at Wahweap Marina near Page, AZ after 12 nights on Lake Powell. Covered about 250 miles at 7-8 knots burning about 75-80 gallons of diesel in 29 engine hours. At $5.78 a gallon for diesel at the two marinas that carry it, you want to be efficient.
Lake levels are lower so some of the locations, like Cottonwood Canyon, described by Kismet, are high and dry. Still many great canyons to explore. We explored almost 2 dozen.
Here’s two photos taken at Cathedral of the Desert.

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Great trip! Highly recommended for your trailerable RT.

 

[pleeson]

If efficiency is important, my D4 burns as little as 1/2 gal an hour at 1 - 2 knots slower than that! That would have saved a bunch for little in speed sacrifice, even with more engine time.