North Lake Launch Guidance

Squirrel said:
What is the parking situation, how close to the ramp can you park? Sq
Click to expand...
This was from the top of the old ramp.

There is quite a bit of parking closer than we’ve been able to park in many many years. But there aren’t many people here right now.

The houseboat is on the dock that is by ramp 1.0.

The other dock is the NPS dock.

The 2.0 ramp is around the corner. Close enough for a seasoned gentleman with a bad wheel should be able to walk there no problem. Especially if it stays as dead as it is right now.

IMG_3118.jpeg
 
Day parking from the first older ramp on up. Maybe a 100 spaces. Then longer term on up from there. Another 100 or so and assuming that parking can go up on the old pavement. . Saw a lot of vehicles with red stickers plastered on windows in the day parking area on the way down so they must be watching. There is no dock at the new ramp. Have to drop off and load at the old ramp
 
We went down to bullfrog 8/26-29th. Launched at the exec ramp on Thursday no issue but when we came back to retrieve on Saturday they had closed the Exec ramp. Had to retrieve on the dirt ramp. 24 ft boat double axel and it took three of us to get the boat on right. real steep and only 5 ft deep. Best thing is to put your winch strap on the top side of the trailer and pull your boat as close as you can and then you will need to tie down the front of the boat because you can't get the boat up snug. Lake was fantastic and two of us fished and could catch strippers trolling all day long from mile marker 46 to Halls.
 
98 special said:
How close is the Primitive Launch to a parking area?
Click to expand...
Ryan said:
This was from the top of the old ramp.

There is quite a bit of parking closer than we’ve been able to park in many many years. But there aren’t many people here right now.

The houseboat is on the dock that is by ramp 1.0.

The other dock is the NPS dock.

The 2.0 ramp is around the corner. Close enough for a seasoned gentleman with a bad wheel should be able to walk there no problem. Especially if it stays as dead as it is right now.

View attachment 36485
Click to expand...
It’s a short walk
 
Pulled out 9/5/6. Water level 3517.7'
We used the "second" primitive dirt/boiler plate ramp that sticks towards the bay. No issues with ramp. Thanks to the few who actually do the basic work needed.

Went over to the Executive/north/ranger ramp initially as that's where we launched. All closed up, water depth seemed fine, didnt float right inline with ramp below boiler plates to see depth but it was all still around 6 feet all around. They still had the rental slips and quite a few housboats parked right there where the "dock n stock" was. We used the old dock there to unload our first load and had it to ourselves. The dock was sideways and beached but the depth was fine.

Then we went over to the island to see the "new" ramps and drop stuff at the dock. BAM.... Draw a straight line from the end of the "public" dock and the end of the NPS dock. About centered there is ground about to stick out. 2' depth , ask me how I know....... I should have pulled at the now barricaded North ramp, as the silty bottom there seemed much more forgiving when shallow.

Watched another $200k wakeboat munch the shallow's that are 15' striaght off the public dock as well. Pretty much I'd avoid anything past the NPS dock heading inland towards the old main ramp.

Next time I'm pretty sure I'll forget how to read the signage and use the NPS dock as other folks were. I'll also assume the public dock will be moved here soon to the now "new" boiler plate ramp. As the depth there was around 40' straight out.

Watch them shallows! Depth finders suck in the merky water.
 
Last edited:
Hopefully this is the last big weekend and we don’t see that line up again until next spring! I’ll be there Thursday to help a friend get his house boat back in the water. It was near the shore on a buoy when they blasted for the new walking docks above halls. It is a coincidence that it developed a leaking pontoon the day after they blasted? A neighbor boat had softball size rocks inside on the floor of the kitchen and some broken windows? Anyway I will report on the ramp after we unload and load my boat. Good luck @Squirrel, it will be a great trip after being laid up for so long!
 
viking842000 said:
Yeah there are many reasons I do not go to Powell mid May-mid October... But the amount of people might lead the list...
Click to expand...
I get it. I like solitude too. And appreciate the trips in the off season.

But it’s also about perspective. I think there are just as many people in the parking lots of the front range Colorado lakes on a typical summer weekend. And those lakes are tiny.

This trip as soon as you got north of about Knowles or south of Iceberg the crowds are gone.

That’s why I never get the folks that are willing to drive 7 + hours to get to Powell but then stay within a few miles of the marina. But it makes it better for those of us that are willing to burn some petrol.

Speaking of which, I filled the boat up for $3.00/gallon less at home today than at Bullfrog. And at a higher octane. That’s enough to get your attention….
 
Ryan said:
I get it. I like solitude too. And appreciate the trips in the off season.

But it’s also about perspective. I think there are just as many people in the parking lots of the front range Colorado lakes on a typical summer weekend. And those lakes are tiny.

This trip as soon as you got north of about Knowles or south of Iceberg the crowds are gone.

That’s why I never get the folks that are willing to drive 7 + hours to get to Powell but then stay within a few miles of the marina. But it makes it better for those of us that are willing to burn some petrol.

Speaking of which, I filled the boat up for $3.00/gallon less at home today than at Bullfrog. And at a higher octane. That’s enough to get your attention….
Click to expand...
I'm one of those people that drive 6-7 hrs. then a MINUMUM of 20 miles worth of petrol to the "BEGINNING" of the trip. Don't be giving any of our secrets to the local marina crowd! SHHHHHHH Large fuel tanks = serenity.
 
Ryan said:
I get it. I like solitude too. And appreciate the trips in the off season.

But it’s also about perspective. I think there are just as many people in the parking lots of the front range Colorado lakes on a typical summer weekend. And those lakes are tiny.

This trip as soon as you got north of about Knowles or south of Iceberg the crowds are gone.

That’s why I never get the folks that are willing to drive 7 + hours to get to Powell but then stay within a few miles of the marina. But it makes it better for those of us that are willing to burn some petrol.

Speaking of which, I filled the boat up for $3.00/gallon less at home today than at Bullfrog. And at a higher octane. That’s enough to get your attention….I
Click to expand...
I'm always shocked to hear people say "We like to stay in Bullfrog Bay or Halls Creek Bay, so we don't know what to do this year."

Regarding gas, get someone you love to work for Aramark. Employee pricing there is where it's at! Payed less for gas at the marina than I did at home at Costco a few days later :cool:
 
Well off shore again has disappointed, my friends boat did not get finished when promised so we will not be putting it on the water this evening. Can't get an answer to when it will be either. Our short trip will be another time and maybe it will end up being a longer trip, it is getting that time of year! Sorry I won't be reporting on ramp conditions.
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top