lake powell tours

[TRD]

Hi all,

My family is going on vacation to the Grand Canyon the week after July 4. One of the nights we are staying in Page and we were thinking about taking a Lake Powell tour on one of the tour boats. Would this be a good way to spend a day for sightseeing or should we good to the north rim of the canyon? Has anyone done one of these tours or knows anything about them. I plan on starting my research on them this wkend. Any info would be appreciated.

Thanks
Dale

[eks]

I have never taken the tour boat, but I did go on many hikes on many different canyons at Lake Powell. They are incredibly beautiful.

If you go in the summer, make sure to take plenty of water with you, it is very hot and not many shaded areas.

Do you know what places the tour is taking you? I might be able to give you some information of some of the places you might go on the tour.

[TRD]

I know one tour takes you to the Rainbow Bridge, it is a 7 1/2 hour tour.
Here is 2 links I have looked at. Just not sure about a 7 1/2 tour w/ an 8 yr old boy. He likes to swim to much, I'm not sure he will like just riding.

http://www.canyon-country.com/lakepowell/rbridge.htm

http://www.lakepowelltours.net/tours...m?tour_id=8983

Is Lake Powell water level low? Is this a big lake, could I rent a boat and not worrie about getting lost? Cost of renting a boat is a little higher, I would need to call and ask some questions. W/out knowing the lake, I would be worried about hitting something w/ the prop or something worse. Don't need that while on vacation.

Thanks

[eks]

The Lake is huge! You can ride the boat all day before you see the end of it.

But, the entire lake has buoy marks all over. You just need to get a map and make sure you follow the the buoy marks.

And yes, the lake is very low and some of the places, for instance Rainbow bridge where you use to be able to boat almost to it, now you have to walk a little to get to it, but still very nice to see.

[Lake Lime]

Lake Powell

Lake Powell is the best place on earth! A tour boat is a great way to see the lake. But having your own boat or a rental boat is much better if you have a map. The lake is very low right now but it still has more shoreline then any other lake in the US. If you stay in the main channel you dont have to worry about hitting anything. When you go into the side cannyons be careful about the water depth. Whever you look its a postcard.

[Paublo]

I have been going to Powell for over 40 years and been there every year for the last 10 on a houseboat. And I have never taken the tour boat. But in one month we are taking our entire office with spouses there for two days and are taking the 7.5 hour tour boat trip that includes Rainbow Bridge, lunch, etc. I was surprised at how many people that live so close to the lake had never been there. So we're going to bus 65 people there, stay in the hotel at Wahweap, give everyone a lake view room and do the big tour. I'll give you a report afterwards. I've lost count of the number of times that I've sworn at those boats as they have gone by and I've had to deal with their wakes. Now I'll see what it is like to be on the other side.

[TRD]

I have been going to Powell for over 40 years and been there every year for the last 10 on a houseboat. And I have never taken the tour boat. But in one month we are taking our entire office with spouses there for two days and are taking the 7.5 hour tour boat trip that includes Rainbow Bridge, lunch, etc. I was surprised at how many people that live so close to the lake had never been there. So we're going to bus 65 people there, stay in the hotel at Wahweap, give everyone a lake view room and do the big tour. I'll give you a report afterwards. I've lost count of the number of times that I've sworn at those boats as they have gone by and I've had to deal with their wakes. Now I'll see what it is like to be on the other side.

Thanks Paublo,
That would be fantastic. I found online a 1/2 day trip. I plan on calling and asking about both tours. We also are staying at Wahweap, at the Lake Powell Resort and Marina. We will be there in July and take the tour on a Tuesday.
Thanks again, will wait for the report.
Dale

[Paublo]

TRD, my report-
We took the trip this weekend and had a good time. On the 7-1/2 hour trip the boat doesn't go that fast and it is a leisurly cruise up the lake. The high on Sat. was about 78 degrees, nearly perfect. You can sit below where it is enclosed or on the upper deck, but no cover. It was cool for us on top in the morning, but perfect in the afternoon. In April the lake traffic is light, which is nice. Everyone loved the trip and most had never been on the lake before.

In July when it is much warmer (hot), you would have to sit on top. But that would be a lot of sun. As it was, many in our group got sunburned. And it could be a little long for kids. The half day trip might be a better choice with kids and in July. My suggestion would be to rent a runabout. A 19' rental boat is $450 + gas, about the same cost as 4 full day tickets. That way you can see what you want to, stop when and where you want, stop to swim and cool off- much more enjoyable. You have boating experience and won't look like those lost tourists who don't have a clue.

The lake is big with many side canyons and it wanders around with lots of bends and changes in directions. For a first timer I would strongly recommend a good map and/or gps. The tour is nice, but do it yourself and have twice the fun.

[dtown]

TRD,
Don't do it. It will end up costing you 10s of thousands...
As soon as you are done with your tour or 1-day boat rental, all you'll be thinking about is renting a houseboat for a week for next summer. You'll be skeeming ways to tow your Tige to Powell from NC. Then you'll get hooked, and buy into a timeshare... Then you'll be the only person in your neighborhood that ownes 12 full sized coolers, and knows where to find the cheepest dry ice.

August 16th is less than 4 months away!

[TRD]

TRD, my report-
We took the trip this weekend and had a good time. On the 7-1/2 hour trip the boat doesn't go that fast and it is a leisurly cruise up the lake. The high on Sat. was about 78 degrees, nearly perfect. You can sit below where it is enclosed or on the upper deck, but no cover. It was cool for us on top in the morning, but perfect in the afternoon. In April the lake traffic is light, which is nice. Everyone loved the trip and most had never been on the lake before.

In July when it is much warmer (hot), you would have to sit on top. But that would be a lot of sun. As it was, many in our group got sunburned. And it could be a little long for kids. The half day trip might be a better choice with kids and in July. My suggestion would be to rent a runabout. A 19' rental boat is $450 + gas, about the same cost as 4 full day tickets. That way you can see what you want to, stop when and where you want, stop to swim and cool off- much more enjoyable. You have boating experience and won't look like those lost tourists who don't have a clue.

The lake is big with many side canyons and it wanders around with lots of bends and changes in directions. For a first timer I would strongly recommend a good map and/or gps. The tour is nice, but do it yourself and have twice the fun.

Thanks very much. I have been looking into the rental.
I was figuring about $150 for gas.
(37 gal tank @ $4 a gal, how close would that be.)

TRD,
Don't do it. It will end up costing you 10s of thousands...
As soon as you are done with your tour or 1-day boat rental, all you'll be thinking about is renting a houseboat for a week for next summer. You'll be skeeming ways to tow your Tige to Powell from NC. Then you'll get hooked, and buy into a timeshare... Then you'll be the only person in your neighborhood that ownes 12 full sized coolers, and knows where to find the cheepest dry ice.

August 16th is less than 4 months away!

Now this was funny.

[talltigeguy]

Paublo,

Did you swamp anyone with your wake?

[TRD]

We are looking at buying a Garmin Nuvi 360 GPS. If I consider renting a boat on LP, will this show maps of the lake? This is in our price range right now. I can get it for $269. Will this help me on the lake?

Thanks

[LovinPowell]

If you want detailed maps of Lake Powell, then I would suggest buying an issue of this magazine:

http://www.lakepowellmag.com/

It is very detailed and gives you everything that you need.

I have subscribed to this magazine and besides the maps, it is very good reading. It will get you excited about your trip.

[WRKTOSKI]

DO IT

Anytime you can do Powell GO. We are going again with our Rv and Tige the second week in Sept, No matter how much fuel costs

[Paublo]

Gas prices- wayneswords.com has gas prices for all the marinas on the lake and as of April 11th, most were around $4.50/gallon. That will probably still go up some this summer. And I assume that the rentals are still 2-strokes, so there is probably some oil cost too. But I'm not positive about that.

I don't know about specific gps models, but before I bought my simple hand held 6 years ago, I turned it on and then zoomed in on that area. When I saw that it had a pretty good map of the lake, I bought it. I would try that or buy it from somewhere you know that you can return it. Take it home load the maps, etc. and take it back if it doesn't have decent detail.

Tall- The lake traffic was so light and our boat captain was so careful, we hardly even rocked anyone. Except as we were almost back to Wahweap when about a 28' cruiser passed going the other direction at a pretty good clip. We didn't slow down at all and they crossed behind us at a sharp angle. The front 2/3 of that boat came out of the water. I'm sure that it gave them something to talk about.

It is now less than 8 weeks until our week on the lake- can you tell that I'm getting excited.