Bogley

[outdoorxtreme1]

You can always put in at Willow Beach and paddle upstream to the Hoover Dam then back. Camp along the way. Check out my dad's website for info and pictures. www.yakpacking.com

[rick t]

this is a great winter trip- have done it in early march and am going again next month. When i pulled up las vegas weather a week ago it called for a high of 69 and a low of 44. swim suits and T shirts and sandals during the day, and pants and a jacket at night. the put in at the dam is a hassle due to security precautions, and you are reguired to go through one of the two local licensed shuttle companies to launch there, but you can still do your own shuttle from the take out at willow beach. we spent two nights camping along the river, so we were in the canyon 3 days, about right, IMHO, despite the fact that its only 13 miles from beginning to end. most of the good stuff is in the first 3 1/2 miles. spend the first day @sauna cave and hiking gold strike canyon, which is only 3/4's of a mile down from the put in! mild scrambling, a ways up to primo hot springs and pools- one you can swim laps in, the nicest i have ever seen. boy scout canyon is next, with more scrambling and hotsprings- this gets a little more sporting if you keep going- at one point i found myself climbing a piece of old poly waterski tow rope, up a ten or twelve foot waterfall. will take some proper rope and canyoneering gear and push on up this one this year, having at least one companion so inclined and skilled. second night camped at Arizona hot springs, where there are maintained toilets and more hot springs up a canyon. If you camp before reaching here you have to bring your own sanitary provisions, as there are no other facilities and it is NOT cool to leave solid wastes in these canyons. We use the PETT system, which is portable and compact, but restop or some other alternative is needed. the river is cold, coming off the bottom of the dam, but flat water, just an easy float. if i had to do it in a single day i wouldn't bother- it seems like going to zion and just driving through, taking pictures out of the car window. last time we brought all of our own boats and gear, this time we are renting from downriver outfitters - the package includes the shuttle at both ends and the rental on river- canoes, paddles and lifejackets, for 60$ a head. if its good i will say so, and if we have problems i will pass that on too. the night before the launch we camped close by, at the boulder beach campground, in the lake mead NRA. the two launches a day are at 800 am and 10:00 am, and if you are not there and ready and waiting when the BWreck offical opens the locked gate you are SOL. i was advised to be there ready to go no later than 730, for my 800 am launch. permits are required in advance for the launch, by phone reservation, in advance 1-702-294-3523. last time (03/02) the launch fee was 5$ per person, now it is 13$. one incidental that could catch you napping if you were not aware- the river water level fluctuates wildly due to electricity demands during the day, and night- you have to get up away from the water to camp, and make sure all of the boats are tied securely, with long lines, as it can rise 5 vertical feet in a few minutes.
a great winter/spring getaway!
rick t

[Iceaxe]

Good info Rick, thanks a bunch. Welcome to the forum.

:2thumbs: