​​In The Shadow of Longs Peak

Lake Powell 

Lake Powell House Boat Supported Trip 
October 2009

Sunday, 11 October 2009

​​​Our annual trek into the wilderness starts with a 10 hour drive to Bullfrog Marina, south of Hanksville Utah.  ​We leave Lyons at 9 AM, stop for gas at the Diamond Shamrock (our traditional first stop for any trip).  The sky was overcast and the thermometer was well below freezing.  The driveway was slick with ice and there was plenty of snow on Gary’s truck providing a cool photo op for sea kayaks and snow.  There was less snow as we moved south thru Boulder  though everything had a glaze of ice frosting especially around Marshall.  In Golden, we turn onto  I-70 west.  As we gained elevation the snow disappears, and by Idaho Springs, it is a memory.  About then, the wind kicked in as was forecast.  Loveland has 1 run open.  We stop at Copper for Gary's ski pass, but it was not open at all.  So off we go, heading west up Vail Pass into the wind.  The trees have turned and lost their leaves since 2 weeks ago when we drove this route for the Ruby Horsethief Trip. 

Now we are headed downhill toward Glenwood with a planned stop at the Bair Ranch rest area to stretch and switch drivers.  I take over and we continue our cruise downhill, headed ever west.  As we near Grand Junction, the fall colors take over – cottonwoods in full gold plumage with spits of green and orange.   We stop for gas at Road 22, another traditional stopover on our Utah bound trips.  Gary takes over driving while I nap.  Gary talks of the bleakness of this part of the trip but I only see beauty in the desolation. 

In no time, we are in Green River, Utah and another gas stop then west another 10 miles or so on I-70, then south on Highway 24 to Hanksville, Utah.  Once there, we have another 110 miles to Bull Frog Marina.  The San Rafael Swell stands tall to the west and is inviting.  We cross the San Rafael River and note that the tamarisk has been cut away.  We climb out of the river bottom, up and over and back down again, taking in the canyons that are so enticing. 

We are at Bullfrog by 6:30 and check into the Defiance Lodge.  The sun is just setting over the water and it’s still windy.  For supper at the Anasazi Restaurant we see Sue H., Jud H., Brian H. and others participants on this trip.  I have soup and salad – not quite enough – but very good.  I am on vacation and everything else drops away.

Wednesday, 14 October 2009
​Life is good when you can paddle or hike and sleep outside with only the stars for a roof.   T0day we loaded the houseboat and motored up to Forgotten Canyon, moored, and setup another camping spot on the shore where we were for 2 nights, exploring both Smith Cabin Creek Canyon and Forgotten Canyon which is the site of the Defiance House Ruin.

​Tuesday, 13 October 2009

Today we paddled  Moqui Canyon and spent a second night there.  

Friday, 16 October 2009

Up early to get these shots before motoring back to Bullfrog Marina.  ​

​​Monday, 12 October 2009 
It’s long been my dream to stay at a National Park Lodge and now, here I am!  We are deep in canyon country which we’ve filled up with water.  Despite that, it is still beautiful.  I wonder what the mountains are off to the southeast.  They seem recognizable from our forays into the 4-corners area.  Perhaps Sleeping Ute Mountain.  It is coming to a place like this that I consider a vacation.  And doing what we do:  hiking, or in this case paddling, each day.

Back to the trip:  First, we need to find the marina where the houseboat rentals are.  We follow directions and spy folks with sea kayaks.  This must be the place.  There are several large haul carts so we start loading and hauling filling 3 carts worth between the 2 of us.  Not too bad.  I know I am bringing too much but this is essentially car camping so I am not inclined to worry about over-packing. 

Then we realize that we need to get our boats certified for zebra mussels so I re-lash the boats and head back to the other marina.  Once certified, I head back to the houseboats and we unload the boats, lash them to the carts, and roll them up the dock to the house-boat.  Everything is nearly packed:  boats, coolers, food and gear for 11 people for 4 days and 4 nights of camping and paddling.  All is right with the world.

Finally we are underway:  David H. is our captain, being that he is the only one that has actually piloted a houseboat.  We wiggle our way out of the marina, out of Bullfrog Bay and head up-river.  Our goal is Moqui Canyon which is not far:  across the river, turn up lake, then turn in at the first canyon.

We arrive, moor the houseboat, then setup camp.  We setup out tent on shore.  Others sleep in the state rooms or setup a sleeping area on the upper deck.

Thursday, 15 October 2009

A favorite memory of this trip is paddling into a slot (and backing up and out) at the end of the eastern arm of Forgotten Canyon.  Besides this magic slot, there was an amazing echo-ability in this canyon as it someone was just over the ridge repeating our own words to us in our own voice.  Smith Cabin Canyon is another favorite, where the water was very glass-like creating the best reflections and we were able to hike into a grotto.