Towing to Lake Powell Ut/Ariz

[Scott T]

Hi everyone. This is my first post after lurking for the past year. Great site. Can anyone tell me what is the best route for towing a 27' boat (Doral 270SC) to Lake Powell from the L. A. area? It appears my choices are I15 to ST George or I89 out of Flagstaff. I need 14 feet of vertical clearance. Trailer and boat approximately 10,000 lbs. Any help would be appreciated.

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01 2500 Quad 4x4, Driftwood, HO,

 

[illflem]

The I-15 to UT59 in Hurricane route is the easiest/shortest, but I'd take that route there and the Flagstaff route back for varied scenery. Just don't take UT 9 though Zion Park,even though it is little shorter distance than 59 there is a tunnel you won't fit though and you would have to pay $20 just to drive though the park anyways. Hwy 89 in Utah is faster than Alt 89 in Arizona for getting to Page.



[This message has been edited by illflem (edited 05-15-2001). ]

 

[OILBRNR]

I agree with the above post. It is always nice to go back to Flag after roasting on the Lake for a couple of days. Nothing like cool mountain air, before you head back to smog-central, err... LA. #ad


FWIW-Watch out for cattle on the road once your on the reservation.

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'99 2500 4x4 • SB • QC • 3. 54 • LSD • AT • Leather • Mag-Hytec • Westach Guages • Line-X • Luverne Nerfs • Tommy Gate

Towing:
'99 28' Airstream Excella (~7000# dry)
'69 24' IMP Inca Twin Screw (~6000# wet)

 

[Champane Flight]

Beware of night driving on the rez or all roads leading into Lake Powell. There are several old nags and cows that turn into thorobreds and prize cattle after you hit them. The deer population is thick also watch yourself or time it to come in during daylight.

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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop. 72000 as of 3/1/01,not even broke in yet. Old Dodge 126000 miles and running better than new.

 

[illflem]

I drove Hwy 89 though the rez in Jan and ran into several flocks of turkeys on the road, they were in no hurry to get out of the way, I had to creep by. 5 mph over the speed limit will also get you a ticket in the Navaho Nation if you're a paleface, be careful.

 

[Utah Willie]

That route through Hurricane is the one to take. Get off I-15 just north of St. George (SR9) to Hurricane (pronounced Hurricun by the locals) and take SR59 at the east end of town (the only real steep climb)through the polygamist towns of Hildale and Colorado City, to Fredonia (it turns into 389 in AZ), then Alt 89 left to Kanab and turn right on US 89 at the first major intersection (It's well marked) and follow that to Wahweap. If you don't mind traveling with full fuel tanks in the boat, fill up in St. George at either the Maverick station on St. George Blvd. , west of I-15 or an Arco station at each end of St. George (Bluff St. ramp, turn right or second ramp past that, turn left). Neither has diesel, however. Fuel in Kanab is way higher than S. G. , Page is in between. I would also suggest you launch at the Stateline ramp rather than Wahweap as there is better parking and a bit wider ramp. I will be there on Monday, the 21st with the "Martooni", a pontoon boat, plus wife and dog. Maybe I'll see you there. If you've any questions about Powell, E-mail me privately and I'll load you up. The road to Flagstaff is real rough through the rez.

 

[OILBRNR]

Willie is correct about filling up the boat with gas, but I disagree with the roughness of the road. There has been alot of work done on 89a north of Flag the past several years. The woop-de-doos north of the Tuba City turnoff have been addressed, and sections between Flag and Cameron have been widened to 3 lanes. I've been traveling that road to the lake for over 30 years, and it has never been better.

Stateline is the best ramp, as he stated. Please pack out whatever you take in. I'd recommend Gunsight, Cookie Jar or Face Canyon (though watch for rock at the entry of Face) for camping. All are about 45-50 min. from Stateline (~35-50 mph if you boat can take the channel). That way, your over half way to Rainbow Bridge and Dangling Rope is close for fuel and ice. Plus, you've eliminated much of the riff-raff that huddles closer to the ramp (read newbies).

Be sure and have three anchors and long lines to secure your boat offshore. The wind can really kick up around 5-6pm, and anytime monsoons are present. Back it in and tie it off, making sure your transom isn't (can't) slamming the ground. For the rears, the mushroom anchors work best, just bury them 2-3 feet deep in the wet sand. Also, pay close attention to changes in water color, shallow areas are REAL random, just where you don't think there will be rock, there WILL be. Maybe you know all this...

If you have never been up Face, there is a real neat short canyon hike that will lead you to the pics I have under the Powell links on my www site below. To the right entry of Cookie Jar is what we've always called Echo Canyon. Not much more than a niche in the canyon, it does yield a nice echo, and your boat will happily stay in the middle, allowing a nice swim in the afternoon to cool off. It has also has served as a nice refuge from summer storms on several occasions.

Email me if you want more info. Powell is the most interesting Lake in the US, bar-none, and I've been to 80% of it over the years. Tough to cover 100% unless your name is Stan Jones. Hope you have a great time!

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'99 2500 4x4 • SB • QC • 3. 54 • LSD • AT • Leather • 16x8 M/T Alcoa Challengers • 285/75 BFG A/Ts • Mag-Hytec • Westach Guages • Line-X • Luverne Nerfs • Tommy Gate

Towing:
'99 28' Airstream Excella (~7000# dry)
'69 24' IMP Inca Twin Screw (~6000# wet)

[This message has been edited by OILBRNR (edited 05-16-2001). ]

 

[Scott T]

Everyone, thanks for the info, especially avoiding Ut 9. It will be sometime this summer before we get out there and I can't wait. Hope to squeeze in at least one trip to Lake Mead before Powell.

 

[Champane Flight]

Have fun at Powell. This is up the San Juan.
#ad


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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop. 72000 as of 3/1/01,not even broke in yet. Old Dodge 126000 miles and running better than new.

 

[Sled Puller]

Awwwwww, man, I'm jealous!
I love water, and I only seem to ever get the chance to drive past it.

 

[Okie-Go]

I have heard of boat rides but I think you guys take the cake as they say. Have fun. While visiting my sister in law last year I saw a pretty lake outside of Phoenix. I always thought it was all desert out there. Lake was real pretty and had a good color to it. I don't remember the name of it.

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2001 quadcab slt 2500 HO 6spd. LWB,2wd,dk garnett red,cab clearance lights, trailer tow package,camper special, lock-right locker, 3. 54 gears,ez edge, speed liner,oversized stainless steel chicken slide,66 gallon in bed aux. tank,K&N air filter,Reese 20k hitch, Terry 2000 EX 30ft. double slide 5er, 2000 20ft gooseneck for haulin jeep, firewood and huntin stuff. 5X12 tagalong for haulin the 4 wheeler. Okie Newton

 

[illflem]

Gene, or drill a hole in pipefull of it #ad

 

[Champane Flight]

This is the veiw from the Captains chair(Yes,I am the Captain)of the houseboat. This is up on the San Juan to.

#ad


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95 Dodge 2500 Luverne grill guard,headache rack,running boards and Amzoiled. Soon to be mildly bombed. 84 Dodge d-150, 318 Hooker headers,Edelbrok intake,mallory ignition,Carter Afb,Accel coil,and Custom dual exhaust. Boat,fifthwheel,motorcycles,and shop. 72000 as of 3/1/01,not even broke in yet. Old Dodge 126000 miles and running better than new.