Lake Mead 6/23/10

[treadhead1952]

Hi All,

PART ONE

Yesterday I got to get away from it all and head to my favorite place here in Southern Nevada, Lake Mead. One of the things I really dig about the place is everywhere you look, it is like a picture post card with long vistas to enjoy. Being able to capture them with my new waterproof Olympus SW 1030 now that I have a camera that can survive in the harsh environment to share makes it all the better.

I like to put in at Boulder Harbor, before the water level shrank down, one of the Marinas was parked here. But now it is just a launch ramp with a sheltered harbor and a small public fishing dock. No matter what is happening out on the main body of the lake, you can tell by the still condition of the water that this is a good place to put in for a Kayaker.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/Lake%20Mead%20By%20Kayak/EmLM62310001.jpg

Once you get outside the protecting arms of the rock formations that form the harbor and you are on the main lake, this is about what you are liable to encounter.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/Lake%20Mead%20By%20Kayak/EmLM62310011.jpg

There is a little traffic, here the lake tug and escort is moving a new section of the water tower float they are constructing.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/Lake%20Mead%20By%20Kayak/EmLM62310012.jpg

As you work your way north it is not uncommon to run across rock formations that zoom up from the bottom, one of the reasons that boaters tend to stick to the main channels rather than go running full tilt across some areas. This is about a foot of water over these rocks which Kayaks can go blasting over.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/Lake%20Mead%20By%20Kayak/EmLM62310010.jpg

To be continued

Jay
treadhead1952
Las Vegas, NV

[treadhead1952]

PART TWO

As you work your way north it is not uncommon to run across rock formations that zoom up from the bottom, one of the reasons that boaters tend to stick to the main channels rather than go running full tilt across some areas. This is about a foot of water over these rocks which Kayaks can go blasting over.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/Lake%20Mead%20By%20Kayak/EmLM62310010.jpg

Just about everywhere you go, you can get a picture post card view.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/Lake%20Mead%20By%20Kayak/EmLM62310009.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/Lake%20Mead%20By%20Kayak/EmLM62310005.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/Lake%20Mead%20By%20Kayak/EmLM62310004.jpg

More to follow.

Jay
treadhead1952
Las Vegas, NV

[treadhead1952]

PART THREE

This is the older water tower, at one time it was completely underwater. Now it is mostly exposed and a towering structure on the lake side.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/Lake%20Mead%20By%20Kayak/EmLM62310003.jpg

This is the outside of the #33 Hole, a popular fishing spot. To get here from the roadway above requires quite the little hike down from the overlook. With a boat or a Kayak, it is just a little journeying to get to. Here you can see why it is called the "Hole", from the shoreline the depth drops into a canyon that all sorts of fishy critters call home.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/Lake%20Mead%20By%20Kayak/EmLM62310024.jpg

When I first arrived, I spooked a turkey vulture that was down by the shoreline. Sort of looks like a big black chicken with a red face from here. But when they spread their wings and go into soaring mode, they are quite a different beastie.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/Lake%20Mead%20By%20Kayak/EmLM62310018.jpg

After a few minutes of studying me and divining my intentions were not going after Turkey Vultures, he or she, went back to dining on a Striped Bass that was washed up on the shore line. Catch and release is popular, but sometimes if hard stressed in battle, they don't survive.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/Lake%20Mead%20By%20Kayak/EmLM62310020.jpg

Yet more to come.

Jay
treadhead1952
Las Vegas, NV

[treadhead1952]

PART THREE

The Park Service is always on the lookout to provide services for the public. This is in a little cove just north of Saddle Island.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/Lake%20Mead%20By%20Kayak/EmLM62310015.jpg

My visit today started out in gorgeous weather, hardly any wind at all, perfect for a Kayak trip around. But like most things out in the desert, things change rapidly. When I got ready to leave 33 Hole the wind came up and was blowing right into my face. While not as bad as it can get, fighting my way back took about two and a half hours, I only spent about an hour and a half getting there! Just be ready for anything when you go out. My return was done in sprints so I could quarter my way into the little waves that the wind stirred up as I worked my way around the various points back to Boulder Harbor.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/Lake%20Mead%20By%20Kayak/EmLM62310028.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/Lake%20Mead%20By%20Kayak/EmLM62310027.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v349/treadhead1952/Lake%20Mead%20By%20Kayak/EmLM62310026.jpg

When you come to Las Vegas, remember, gambling and the casinos aren't the only thing to do when you are here. I hope you have enjoyed my little trip yesterday.

Jay
treadhead1952
Las Vegas, NV

[rcurry]

It looks like you have a great boat set up. Thanks for taking us along! The area looks very interesting to play in. I love to paddle off the beaten path and in shallows away from boat traffic and the wakes they bring. Interesting that Lake Meade actually has restroom facilities for boaters floating in the middle of the lake. What other types of creatures will you likely encounter around a desert lake? Keep the pictures coming; I really enjoy checking out where others are paddling.

I have a brother that entertains in Las Vegas and we use to visit yearly. That was before I ever got interested in kayaking or I would defiantly have made a trip over to Lake Meade. I haven’t been out west for about four years. He is getting ready to move back to KY., so I don’t know if I’ll be returning to visit LV & the Lake Meade area again. But if I am back in the area are there any kayak rentals on the lake? The strip in LV is fun but honestly I’d rather be paddling as it’s just much more relaxing.

[treadhead1952]

Hi RC,

Thanks and you are most welcome. I like my FS12T, it rides very well in the water although it can be a little "wet" if the waves and wind kick up.

There are a few places around that you can rent Kayaks from.

http://www.kayaklasvegas.com/kayak_rental_gear/sot.html

http://www.sportchalet.com/

http://www.lasvegaskayaktours.com/

The first one furnishes you with Kayak, PDF, paddle and pick up and drop off service as well as a few other things.

Jay
treadhead1952
Las Vegas, NV

[treadhead1952]

Hi All,

Well, I found out that I have been under stating the distances that I have been going. I found a Mapping Service that is powered by Google Maps that is angler oriented from the BASS Masters Site today. Once you register, it is free by the way, you can do all sorts of stuff.

I zeroed in on Lake Mead and the area I have been working out on and started to insert some way points from where I put in at Boulder Harbor, up around Saddle Island, up to the 33 Hole and then on up to the farthest north that I have gone. What I thought was about a 10 mile round trip to 33 Hole is actually 13.24 Miles! What I had thought was only about 12 miles round trip turns out to be actually 16.24 Miles to the northern most places. I had been using the odometer on my truck to calculate my miles and it was a bit far from what you actually get on the water. If you add in the extra distances involved in mud holing, checking out this rock and that cove, it puts a lot more into the equation.

I realized that my FS12T was a pretty good Kayak to paddle, with it's stability you don't need to constantly fight to try and keep your balance. As a result I was able to concentrate on putting what I had read about paddling and the "Box" theory to good use. Also the tip on not trying for a "death grip" on the paddle, just relax and hold it so that it can roll a bit as you work your way along was a good one. I just had no idea what sort of long hauler it was. At this point I surely have around 35 to 40 miles under the keel and I am very satisfied with my purchase.

My only regret is that I don't have more time to spend out there on the water, rod in hand, enjoying it all.

Jay
treadhead1952
Las Vegas, NV