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Updated: January 11, 2010
Winter Hours in Effect
Lake Elevation 3624
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Wahweap Main -
OPEN
Updated: 1/11/2010 - Elevation 3624
Minimum safe Launching Water level
3558 |
| RAMP OPEN AND ALL LANES ARE AVAILABLE WITH
LAUNCHING ON SOLID CONCRETE. NO PARKING ON RAMP.
Ramp closed at night 5 PM to 7 AM
You MUST have a Green quagga free certification
displayed on dash of tow vehicle. Obtain this from clerk on ramp or at
Decontamination
station. |
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Ramp is closed for the season.
Use Wahweap Main to
launch or private ramp valet launch at a cost of $5.
Ramp picture taken
March 22, 2006 -
Ramp provides good parking, loading, and a short run to the uplake
area.
The breakwater and courtesy dock offers some protection to the ramp from main channel boat traffic.
· The parking and shore fishing area are open for day use. One entrance fee payment is good for any access site on Lake Powell.
· For up-to-date information on the marina construction visit Antelope Point Holding's web site at
www.azmarinas.com.
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The Valet Ramp
provides a good launching option for Antelope Point users.
The new private ramp was cut behind the cliff wall,
concrete poured and then the wall was removed- flooding the concrete. This made
an instant ramp ready to launch. It is 2 lanes wide. Launching is performed by
Antelope Marina employees with a "valet service". Charge is $5 while public ramp
is closed in the winter.
Make arrangements for boat launching at the trailer office. Take the first right after the entrance fee booth, then look for the trailer.
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| Closed Nov 1,
2009
Pumpout and Gas Dock Closed
NO PARKING ON RAMP.Park in the lot at the top of the ramp.
You
MUST have a Green quagga free certification displayed on dash of tow vehicle.
Obtain this from clerk on ramp or at Decon station.
Ideally a certificate is issued at the fee station upon entrance
to GCNRA.
Ramp picture taken July 1, 2005 -
ELEVATION 3606 |
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BEFORE Construction, winter 2004
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AFTER: Ready for full operation. Spring
2005
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 June 1,
2005 ELEVATION 3587
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 June 6,
2005 - ELEVATION 3592
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Bullfrog Main -
OPEN -
Updated: 1/11/2010 - Elevation 3624
Minimum Safe Elevation 3575 |
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Ramp closed at night 5 PM to 7 AM All launch lanes are open. Only one courtesy dock
is provided.
NO PARKING ON RAMP.
Display the Green Mussel Free Certification
sheet on the dash to avoid a citation. Obtain from
ramp tech or Service station |
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| This is what the ramp construction looked like when
completed in 2003. |
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The concrete launch ramp at Halls stayed wet when the lake reached its low point
in 2005 and
will remain operational for the duration.
Display the Mussel Free Self Certification sheet on
the dash to avoid a citation. The
ferry is no longer taking up space on the ramp allowing more boats to launch at
one time. Photo dated 7/22/2005
ELEVATION 3607 |
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Historical view of Halls Ramp construction in 1965. Ramp meets cliff at Elevation 3550.
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| Current look at
Halls Ramp Cut. Compare that to top of cut in the
picture above.
Photo dated 7/22/2005
ELEVATION 3607
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Hite - Marina CLOSED - (GONE)
Updated: 1/11/2010 - Elevation 3624
LAUNCHING NOW POSSIBLE
Mussel Free Self Certification Required
Minimum Safe Launch - 3606 |
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The pictures
and information here are dated but still usable. The key point is Lake
Elevation. If elevation is above 3606 then it is likely that a launch
at some near location is possible. If less than 3606 then go to Bullfrog or
Halls and run uplake.
From 3606 to 3616, launch at the old marina site which is the ramp that is
furthest south. The others are too shallow at this elevation. You should be
able to find a depth of about 5 feet while moving toward the river channel.
Take great care around the old tire breakwater. The tires that are
submerged are lurking right under the surface. After passing the tires the
journey to the channel should be fine. Bear to the left toward the cliff
wall when exiting the marina area. Use the trolling motor in shallow
water for best results. Always look for new silt deposits, trees, etc. I get
to Hite about twice per year so much of this information is gleaned from
reports and is not actual experience. Beware when launching. The site
is primitive and you are responsible for your own safety.
3616- 3640 - The second
ramp to the south now has a good slope and elevation at this lake level. NPS
is good about putting a courtesy dock at the site of the most usable
ramp during changing water elevation. Ask those that have just launched for
advice and always visually check the ramp before proceeding.
Above 3640 use the main
Hite concrete ramp.
Launch at Hite during March and early April; but in late April and May the
runoff starts, water is cold and driftwood becomes a problem and worse the
fishing is not as good. . .
CAUTION: Wait until
runoff subsides in June before using the Hite launch area.
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This report from Gem Morris in 2006 is now in play once
more. Note the pictures of the tires, buoys and cables that are
safety hazards to avoid.
Check Gold Cups report below on Farley Canyon launch
that is also in play at this water level.
| Lake levels
exceeding 3606 allow launching. Read this information and add that to the
recent report above. Hite Marina is gone but the old road leading to the
marina site is now the best launch. Enter past the fee booth and
find the concrete ramp. Turn left to by pass the concrete "main
ramp" and continue to the old parking lot as pictured.
In the background is my friends 26' boat we
launched and retrieved with no problems - this ramp is definitely better
than the concrete ramp at current lake levels. It has a solid
gravel/rock base.
Photos and description By Gem Morris
November 24, 2006
Lake Elevation 3607 |
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| The challenge now is to find the
safest path from the launch point to the lake. There is an
old tire breakwater partially submerged but marked by a white can
buoy.
This is the "crossing of the tires" that has been described. Crossing
these sunken tires in a boat is not recommended. Not only is there a
cable about 18" down, but you're basically just crossing a low spot in
the line of tires. In other words, there are tires in this low spot too.
This picture is taken approaching the ramp, still outside the tire line,
the best place to cross is just to the left of the buoy in this picture
and close to that metal thing sticking up on the tire on the right.
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| But...there is a better way.
This picture is taken just after launching, and headed out to the lake,
but still inside the line of tires. All the tires are to left and out of
the picture frame except the last one (furthest right tire).
We went this way every time except the first and never had a problem.
We checked carefully with the handle of a fish net and depth gauge read
3.8 feet thru here, meaning about 5' of water allowing for placement of
transducer on the bottom of the boat.
Of course proceed at your own risk, but this is a much better
passage.
Houseboats have been moved to Halls/Bullfrog. For up-to-date
information on the buoy field contact the concessionaire at (435) 684-7055. |
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| Overview of Hite Main ramp extended allowing launching
from site of concrete ramp at Hite turnoff. Notice courtesy dock which
coincides with dock in above picture
Photo by Paul Ostapuk - June 10, 2006
Elevation 3608 |
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| Recommended launch ramp
road that comes down across the old houseboat buoy field . Rising water
has opened access for this temporary ramp for another week or two.
You can carry a boat and small motor from your
truck to reach navigable water from many of these locations.
Trailer launching is not possible at Hite, Farley or White Canyons.
Photo by Paul Ostapuk - June 10, 2006
Elevation 3608 |
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Spring runoff has cut a wide swath in the flood plain delta
near Hite
Photos taken July 2006 at elevation near 3608 By Gold
Cup. |
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Same Service road show in above picture may be useable for
about 2 more feet or 2 more weeks. At Elevation 3605 launching at this spot
will be questionable.
July 2006 |
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Be careful of shallow water and obstructions while working
through the weeds out to the channel. use the electric motor or oars
if need be.
July 2006 |
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Raft take out on opposite side of river from Hite Store.
Spring runoff rendered the raft takeout unusable for all boats.
July 2006 |
Farley Canyon Launch - July 2006 -
Elevation 3608 - GOLD CUP |
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End of the road at Farley Canyon...
Small boats can launch but would have to back up a quite a distance.
Getting around a large rock along the road is also difficult.
Cost of building a gravel road into this point is $3.5 million.
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We met a couple guys from Blanding who had launched a 16 ft
boat that morning with no problem..
July 2006 |
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| Kurt Jensen report from November 2005 |
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I stopped at a very nice overlook to take pictures of North Wash – if you
look closely you can find a road that goes several hundred yards into upper
North Wash for an outstanding view. also stopped at the raft takeout – the
“ramp” is very steep and I considered it unusable, then I found out it has
been in use all year - more later. helped out some rafters who mistakenly
parked their vehicles at the bathroom in Farley –followed the “Lake Powell
Access” sign… - if not for me they in for a really long walk…
Hite – NPS bathrooms are open 24/7. the store was open 8-5 every day, but
starting Nov 1 it is now open only from 11-2. gas and diesel pumps are 24
hour with a credit card. the store has only one aisle and very little on the
shelves, don’t count on finding anything you might need. talked to a guy in
the store. someone had launched a houseboat this summer from the raft
takeout, parked it in North Wash, then launched his 19’ bass boat from the
raft takeout every other weekend all year long. many others were launching
from the raft takeout all year – 4WD is a very highly recommended. looked at
the last ramp area at the south end of Hite – you can see the tires stuck in
the mud - it’s all silted in and will not be accessible for a long time.
then I went to look at the concrete ramp. bathroom at the top was open. NPS
has been grading from the end of the concrete all the way to the river – guy
at the store said they would lay gravel below the concrete. the ramp is now
less than 5’ above the current lake level.
When the lake goes up another
10’, WE WILL BE LAUNCHING AT HITE!!! I expect to be there all next year.
Blue Notch/Red Canyon
- Kurt Jensen
November 2005
I drove the road from Highway 95 to Blue Notch. I
now have a very nice GPS track of the road and various access points in Blue
Notch and Red Canyon. total distance to the water was 14.5 miles, total time
was 65 minutes – note: I move pretty quickly on back roads. the road has
been recently graded and was in excellent shape. some sections in the washes
had been roughed up by recent rains, only one small section required any
thought. the 4WD hill is as I remembered – steep, rough and no place for a
trailer. the grading continues past the 4WD hill –the access to Red Canyon
may have been gouged out by a grader. after the 4WD hill you travel on the
back of a hill and over some washes. when the area opens up you find a fork
– left fork goes to Red Canyon (you can see the road halfway up a hill),
right fork goes to Blue Notch. both currently allow vehicle access to the
water – Red Canyon side is a little better access but very exposed to wind
and waves, Blue Notch side is more protected but in a shallow cove. the Red
Canyon side requires 4WD to get to the water - actually 2WD to get to the
water but then you’ll never get back out… there are 3 forks on the Red
Canyon road – after driving a long left turn around the hill, 1) the first
right fork goes to a level area far above the water, 2) the first left then
the next right takes you to a high point and continuing right takes you to
the water, 3) the first left then the second left takes you to a high flat
rocky point with difficult climbing to the water. there are 2 forks on the
Blue Notch road, 1) the right fork goes down to the current end of Blue
Notch where you can get to the water, 2) the left fork may go out onto a
point between Blue Notch and Red Canyon which may get near the water, I only
looked and did not travel.
BLUE NOTCH ACCESS
BY: Dan Spitzer 2002
The road into Blue Notch is between mile posts 59 and 60. There are cattle
caution signs just before the
turn off in both directions. I have found the road in good shape except for
once in early November 1998.
On that trip there were some washouts, including one that I had to fill in
with rocks. In addition the sides
of the washes were piled high with sand and although I could run through
them in my 4WD Trooper I
literally dragged my little 12' trailered boat through the sand. I left
early that weekend because of storms
blowing through and didn't want to get stuck in there. As mentioned, it's
12 miles in and usually takes me
about an hour trailering my little boat. If I had a bigger boat I would
always boat into the Blue Notch area
and if going with someone else have one of us drive in the vehicle if
desired. By myself, I would boat camp
anytime rather than drive in a bigger boat.
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Hite overlook on 4/17/03. Photo Credit Clair Mills
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April 28, 2003 - Lake Elevation 3605
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| Historical Pictures: The one-lane ramp behind Hite
marina is being widened.
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| April 17th (Lake Elevation 3605)
New factors are in play at Hite. The Colorado River current at times swings toward the marina and causes problems not seen before. the river's main current was aimed directly at the Hite breakwater. The impact of the current is not as devastating as the silt load dropped at the edge of the current.
Yesterday the marina entrance was closed due to silt deposits. The resourceful crew at Hite dismantled the breakwater and opened a new channel so boaters could access the marina once more.
After that dilemma the river current moved away as it is want to do on a flat flood plain. The increased or decreased force of runoff causes the river to continually move and subtly shift directions.
As of this morning the one lane dirt ramp is open, the back hoe is ready and willing to help launch and retrieve boats and it is business as usual for a very determined and heroic crew working to keep Hite opened.
Hite is still in operation but the meandering river could make things change in a matter of minutes.
Most current photos of Hite Launch Ramp now in use. It is very near the marina. The ramp is dirt with a rocky base. 4WD is required. One lane only. Hite employees and other visitors are very helpful if launching problems are encountered. |
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ACCESS TO THE UPPER SAN JUAN RIVER -
NO ACCESS
BOTH PIUTE AND COPPER CANYON ARE OUT OF
WATER. October 26,
2009 Elevation 3633
Minimum Safe Launching Level -
3680
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| When the marina at Piute Farms on the upper San Juan closed the boat launch
ramp was closed. With lake levels no lower than 3680 feet primitive shore launch is accessible
for most small and medium sized boats. The main lake is inaccessible at lake
levels lower than 3678. Camping in the area is primitive and no services
are available. Come prepared to be self sustaining when accessing the upper
San Juan arm of Lake Powell via Piute Farms.
Directions: While traveling US 163 to Monument Valley turn towards Gouldings
Trading Post near the UT/AZ state line. Turn right on the first paved road
after the airport and proceed 8 miles. Turn right on the dirt road just after
the sign indicating "UMC Church" and proceed for 7 miles. Turn right again
at the seven mile mark and proceed approximately 8 miles on the rough dirt
road which is passable to any vehicle in dry weather conditions. Going straight ahead (left fork) leads to Copper Canyon after 10.4 miles of rough road in the bottom of the wash.
When wet a 4wd vehicle is required. At the present time the lake is too low to allow launching at Piute Farms. |
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| COPPER CANYON ACCESS
(No Access as of January 2003)
It is possible to drive a truck to the water's edge, and launch a boat at Copper Canyon when lake level is above 3660. Below that point the shore line launch area falls off the cliff wall eliminating boat launching opportunities.
However, just getting a boat to the lake via Copper Canyon
is a long and slow process. The road is very rough and follows the bottom of a sandy
wash for much of the way. Four-wheel-drive is a necessity if trailering a boat.
I can not recommend trailering a boat along the rough road although a
small boat (or float tube) that would fit in the back of a pickup may work. It is 10.4 miles from the
last turn to Piute Farms described above. Turning right off the gravel road leads to Piute Farms in 8 miles. It is about 1 1/2 hours drive from the UMC turnoff to the water.
The road continues for another 3-5 miles past Copper Canyon to
Nokai wash. There is no launching access, but you can walk
down to the water. For those not bringing boats and wanting a quieter place
to camp, that is a good option.
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| Historical
Information
Hite Marina Overview, Lake Elevation 3630, August 2002.
4WD tow vehicles are a must to be sure the launch can be completed
successfully.
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| Hite
Overview January 2003 at Lake Elevation 3615 March 25, 2003 - Lake Elevation 3607
Big help from Anne Shelp
"I am not a lake boater. I am a river boater. I have been checking out
your internet sight to find information on the boat ramp at Hite. It has
been very informative.
March 17, 2003 - Lake Elevation 3608 Ed at Hite Marina reported the one-lane
launch behind the marina still working well, but traffic is increasing and
parking is at a premium. Expect to have a longer than normal walk after parking
the vehicle. But launching is still fine for smaller fishing boats. They are
launching houseboats with long trailers on the new "gravel ramp" area but mud is
a very big problem for boats and trailers of normal dimensions. |
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| Hite
Overview April 3, 2003 at Lake Elevation 3606 |
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| March 3, 2003, LARRY MILLHOUSE, Elevation 3610
We got back this evening from the "scouting trip". Gary and I took a look at the "new temp" ramp behind the Hite Marina. I has a bit of an "elbow" to it. It's not a straight shot into the water. You'll have to make the trailer turn a little to the right as you face the ramp. I didn't even think to take a picture of it. We just talked with Mike at the gas dock about it and looked it over from there. He said that it definitely takes two people to launch there. And if you
have a problem, they will help get your boat either on or off the trailer. I would emphatically recommend 4-wheel drive. And it would probably be best to take the bigger boats to Bullfrog or Halls.
The crews are busy with the dump trucks, and other heavy equipment working on a bigger straight ramp about 200 yards North of the Marina. How soon that one will be ready, I don't know. |
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| Here is another option for a quick winter fishing trip to Hite. There are two rental fishing boats with graph and
electric motor. That means no launching or docking worries. Might be a reasonable alternative until the lake comes back up or the launch ramp situation at Hite improves! Call Hite marina at 1-435- 684-2278 for
availability and pricing. February 18, 2003, Elevation 3613.47
NPS officials at Hite are working on the 3rd alternate ramp to make it useable. They are moving rocks and mud with front end loader. A load of gravel has been placed to firm up the launch road base. Until that happens there is another temporary
(unofficial) alternative. See picture and description that follows. |
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| February 11, 2003, Elevation 3613.64 Dan Spitzer reports:
The 3rd alternate ramp that Bassman referred to would be very risky. We knew we would get stuck even with a 4-wheel drive truck and would have to be pulled out. The mud was so thick we determined that we would have been literally dragging the boat trailer out. With every drop in water level the horizontal travel through the mud increases dramatically. It is a very gentle slope there. It increases daily. We decided to either rent a boat or go to Hall’s, except …
We found a spot behind the marina that looked reasonably good and asked if we could launch there. The road back there is signed “no admittance beyond this point” or something to that effect. The maintenance man said OK and even cleaned it up with the backhoe/loader. It is one lane and requires a quick turn at the bottom but the slope was steep enough that we launched my 17’ boat easily. Mud was not a problem. I asked if I could post this on the bulletin board and he candidly admitted he had no idea whether or not NPS would approve and/or permit continued use of this area for launching.
Waynes Note: Just got off the phone with manager at Hite. He said launching from this "closed road" is acceptable. Just get hold of marina personnel upon arrival and they will let you launch. It is still primitive and "launch at your own risk" but a good alternative to anglers with smaller vessels.
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| February 3rd, Elevation 3614, Bassman says:
My brother-in-law bought a new boat at a boat show and he took it to Lake Powell
to try it out. The secondary Alt. ramp is now closed (big sand bar). The NPS has
graded a place about 150 ft. North of the tire breakwater @ Hite Marina. We
launched an 18.5 ft. Aluminum boat W/a 115 Mercury 4-stroke. The last 75 ft. is
very muddy and the boat trailer scraped on a few rocks getting it in and out of
the water (I highly recommend a 4 WD vehicle) If you do get stuck Hite marina
will probably help you get back out. I hope the NPS will fill the area in w/
some course sand (I heard they are waiting for permission to do so) Plan on
having a very dirty trailer and boat if they don't do anything more to it. The
lake is going down 3 to 4 inches a day so I don't know how long this launch will
work?? Call Hite Marina for details @ 435-684-2278. I currently suggest you go
to Bullfrog and launch your boat. |
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| January 30, 2003 Dan Spitzer says...
I just got off the phone with Ed at Hite Marina – launching gets worse everyday, the water is dropping 4” a day. There is now 4’ of mud, and there is a big mudflat offshore. Some people are still managing to get launched. There is currently NO CHARGE to use a slip at the marina for a few days – just let the boat rental manager know that one is leaving a boat over night. NPS is trying to come up with a new alternate sight and is working on getting that OK’d (it’s in the application process only). |
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| Lake Elevation 3618, January 2003
Launching from the alternate
ramp is still possible but the liquid mud at the shallow launch area may be ingested into boat motor requiring serious flushing not to mention sticking to the tow
vehicle and trailer. It is advisable not to use motor power until the boat is in deeper water. If you have a long rope and a second boat to help launch it is still possible to get a boat in the water. |
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Hite Marina workers and NPS are trying
valiantly to keep the ramp and facilities
open for use. They are helping folks
launch and pulling others out if they get
stuck. They will continue to help until
the ramp is declared closed.
This is the actual view facing boaters at the launching corridor. Stay right
in the middle of the lane for best results. Closing of the Hite ramp is a
definite possibility in the near future!! |
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Excerpt from bulletin board on January
3, 2003
"I was at Hite on Jan 1, 2003. Looking at the mud I was not going to launch my
boat, until Jim came in and convinced me that the bottom was hard and it was
much better than it looked. Another group was also there and they launched their
boat with a two-wheel drive motor home with no problem. I launched my boat with a
four-wheel drive and it was a 'piece of cake'. Just make sure to launch on the
middle because the mud is deeper on the sides. The established ramp is
impossible to launch anything from with the rocks and that is about where the
river meets the lake! Jim and I talked to NPS who were looking at the alternate
ramp and did not think they would do much with it until about March when the
lake is at it's lowest level. Time will only show how launching will be over the
next weeks/months. Maybe we can keep updating on this board if anyone finds a
change." |
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