Camping Trip on Upper Colorado

Went on vacation to the southwest.  Had two kayak camping trips planned, a "warm up" trip on the Colorado river
in front of Hoover dam, then off to Utah for a trip down the Green river through the canyonlands.  Made the warm up but unfortunately got really sick (flu) and didnt make it to Geen River, will have to do it next spring.  Didnt fish, but was told there are good sized Striper on the section of the Colorado we went on.  Heres some pics if you are interested.  Lots of nice beaches/spots to camp, hot tub temperature pools to soak in, nice caves to explore and like I said some sizeable stripers are said to inhabit these waters.  Went during the week, uncrowded, completely alone at night when camping.  Big Horn sheep, Bald Eagles, Ring Tailed Cats, etc.  Not the Green river but it was fun.  Id suggest doing it during the week if you want to be out there alone.
Thanks, Walter

Just did a little research.  Yes there are sizeable Striper there, 67lber caught in those waters.  Ill fish when I go back
next time no doubt.
Walter

Wow looks like a blast! Great pics!

Wow!  That is beautiful.  Are there trout in there?

Yes, I hear there are trout as well.  Water is not warm, even in the summer when air temps are hot water stays in low 50s.  Camping is pretty much unrestricted, just find a good spot.  Beware that water levels can rise dramatically
in just a matter of minutes due to dam releases, camp above high water marks and always, always tie off your yak to
something lest it float away leaving you trapped, even during short stops.  Watch the weather as thunderstorms can bring flash floods to the slot canyons, be prepared to climb to safety if needed - never try to out run a flash flood unless you have a death wish!
Walter

Very cool, who far did you guys float all together?  each day?  Any rapids to speak of? Looks like a lot of fun!!!

Did you have to portage at all?
How did you work out the car situation?
Looks like a great place to explore. Thanks for the pics!

Hi guys, sorry about delayed response, dont visit sight all that often.  No portages, nothing rapids wise to worry about.
More like a few fast riffles at most.  Didnt go that far as we were mostly camping, soaking in the hot springs, canyoneering in the slot canyons to find the hot spring pools/petroglyphs/exploring/ etc.  Best place for that is to camp at Boy Scout canyon. Beautiful hot tub like pools up in the slot canyons above it.  If you fish unload all gear first as you will have a hard time paddling upstream loaded.  Id skip Arizona Hot Springs, too much evidence of use, nasty place to camp.  Go on down around the mile 56/58 marker lots of nice, uninhabited camping there.  Watch the weather closely- flash floods.  A few days after we were gone, several kayakers got trapped, flash floods washed their yaks/gear/etc away.  Fortunately no lives lost,they climbed to safety but had to be rescued by helicopter.  Some were trapped out there for several days before rescue.
Walter

Olderguy - Thanks for posting this spot - with the pics   

OK NCKA, let's get a trip planned = I WANT TO DO THIS

There goes Mooch, jumping at the oppurtunity to put his speedos on and jump in a hot spring. lol

Sounds like a fun trip, just gotta make sure to camp 2 miles down stream!

-Brian

I'm in for a trip.....even with Mooch!

CHEERS!

Oh yeah, car situation.  You have an outfitter, there are several, haul you down to the river to launch.  It is spectacular
as you launch a little ways in front of Hoover dam.  Not many people get to see the Dam from water level looking up,
pretty cool.  Anyway you arrange with outfitter when to pick you up downstream at the Marina.  They shuttle you/gear back to your car.  In order to paddle upstream if fishing/exploring stay off to the side going from eddy to eddy, much eaisier than battling current in main part of river.  I have heard spring is best time for striper there but not sure on that.
Walter

Walter - if we can get a group to go, what would be the best time (of the month) to go?

Hey BrianG, you can catch all the rocks you want