Since we're dredging up old memories, does anybody have information on the asphalt to the south of the main ramp at Bullfrog? Old road built just before the lake was filled? Temporary ramp extension added in 2005? (My pictures from 2005 look more like a temporary ramp extension made from poor quality asphalt or debris rotomilled from an existing road.) I suppose that we will get more answers later this year when it will be revealed. JFR managed to find some good information about the road to Kane Creek Wash built for river takeout. A quick check on Wikipedia shows that the road to Bullfrog wasn't even built until the late 1960's, but it's possible they could have continued the pavement down towards Bullfrog Creek to make a temporary ramp.
North Lake observations
- Thread starter jeeps72
- Start date
- Status
The old pavement is the road that goes to the bottom. Got to find some old pictures of the first time my Dad took us kids to Bullfrog. 1964/5 ish
It was a dirt road from the turn off to the lake. Took most of a day to get there. The hi way wasn't built until several years later. He rented a tinny and we boated around what was a slow river at the time. Never could imagine the lake filling up DMc.
It was a dirt road from the turn off to the lake. Took most of a day to get there. The hi way wasn't built until several years later. He rented a tinny and we boated around what was a slow river at the time. Never could imagine the lake filling up DMc.
Bill Sampson
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
Are you planning a trip up the San Juan in late June or early July? If so, your water level information would be important to me. I try to houseboat close to Great Bend.Got there one time - unintentionally. We thought the proposed marina at Copper canyon was the one that had been opened. Boy we’re we in for a surprise when we turned that corner! Our little 50’ Kayot was on fumes by the time we hit the SJ marina. Told everyone they’d better buy souvenirs caused we’d never be back. Little did I know it wouldn’t be an option a few years later
Dungee
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
Love this thread. Made me scrummage through some old pics...
Hite overlook, I was probably about three? So 90 or 91.
My dad standing and my uncle in his homemade sunglasses, late 80’s, north wash behind.
Me with a smallie in one the coves between Farley and Hite, was right around Nixon’s age, 95,96...? The best fishing on the whole lake has been high and dry for a long time now...
Another one of me way back in White, again, around Nixon’s age now. Have only been able to fish that same cove a couple of times in the last decade.
Hite overlook, I was probably about three? So 90 or 91.
My dad standing and my uncle in his homemade sunglasses, late 80’s, north wash behind.
Me with a smallie in one the coves between Farley and Hite, was right around Nixon’s age, 95,96...? The best fishing on the whole lake has been high and dry for a long time now...
Another one of me way back in White, again, around Nixon’s age now. Have only been able to fish that same cove a couple of times in the last decade.
thanks for the info, do you happen to have any photos from halls?
jayfromtexas
Well-Known Member
Here is what's left of the San Juan at the Great Bend these days. Not many places left for the Crocs and Zombies to hide.
Thanks for sharing. The SJ wil definitely be a different experience this year
Bill,
my first SJ trip isn’t planned until July 16th. If you’re headed down before that I’d love any info you have
Boatingtopgun
Active Member
I remember that. Had to use it a couple of times.Or an on water boat shop at Halls
I too remember the high water of 83 and the sandbags at the Bullfrog Store. The view at the Dam was also memorable as it
was difficult to even tell there was a dam as the water level was around 3707 on that 4th of July weekend. Heading out of
Wahweap going back uplake there was an erie feeling looking at mostly SKY !! as there was not much of the dam above the
water. I also remember that you could get pretty close to it back then as there were no buoys to keep you out.
was difficult to even tell there was a dam as the water level was around 3707 on that 4th of July weekend. Heading out of
Wahweap going back uplake there was an erie feeling looking at mostly SKY !! as there was not much of the dam above the
water. I also remember that you could get pretty close to it back then as there were no buoys to keep you out.
JWB
New Member
We are are planning a trip for next week. I keep debating whether to launch at Halls Crossing or Bullfrog. Did you see any large boats launching and or retrieving the the Bullfrog North ramp? Our boat is 24’ but sits high on the trailer due to the forward drive outdrive. We have to back in about 10’ further than other boats. I guess the question would be if my boat was 34’ long could I still launch at the Bullfrog launch ramp or should I head for Halls Crossing? Thank you beforehand for any information anyone may provide.
Dave I.
Escalante-Class Member
That's funny because the summer of '08 (if my memory serves me right), Hall's tried a summer of re-opening the on water boat shop and boat rentals. I was the only mechanic on the water at Hall's and in charge of the shop/parts for that summer.Or an on water boat shop at Halls
Just look where I am now. haha. But I was in Hanksville before that point.
jeeps72
Active Member
We did not see any larger boats launching when we came out, just a handful of my size boats. When dropping my boat off at storage, Off Shore had a 30' and a 40' loaded and gassing up so can only assume they were heading over to launch. I'm guessing I had at least 15' of paved ramp past my tires after backing in to load and lake level has not changed much since then, if that helps.
jeeps72
Active Member
Sorry no recent photos. Did fish all over in halls and can say there are several nice little coves and niches you can tuck a boat into on the north side. Lots of sand beaches on the south.
JWB
New Member
That’s really helpful. Thank you!!
We’ve always relied on the yellowish color of shallow water to warn us to head for deeper water. And that’s going back over 30 years on the Lake. This past trip it didn’t work on a grassy/mussel covered shoal in Bullfrog Bay. The shoal was below the bathtub ring and the shallows were anything but yellowish. Be careful out there! Follow the riverbed via your GPS charts, take it slow, cross your fingers and live to play another day!
No damage as we were gingerly scouting for future camps. All 3 north lake ramps were in use. We used the Executive ramp in both directions. Smaller boats off to the side on the Bullfrog main ramp. Watched a 35-40 foot cruiser being launched on the Exec ramp. Little traffic at the Halls ramp.
Bill Sampson
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
Will do.
- Status