Elk on Sunday or Monday...

I'm thinking of going to Elk this weeken, maybe Sunday nigth, camp, fish on Monday, come back to SF on Monday night...
 Anybody else want to go? I haven't been up there yet, so it would be nice for a ergular to go along, too...My schedule is flexible after Saturday (as of right now), so I'm easy...
 Andrew (Malibu-Two)

Andrew,
Bring wheels and pack light.  That hill was the toughest I've hit to date.

Stuart

Hmm...I don't have wheels, although I have a tandem, and a friend will be coming along, so we can both carry the yak...how long is the hike to the water?
  Thanks for the tip!

Andrew you will be in for one tough climb up and down. I would strongly suggest a cart of fishing elsewhere. But what do I know I am a wimp, just ask the blonde stallion.

Well, you've got me doubting myself...I'll try and borrow a set of wheels from a friend, but if not, I'll just bust my ass!
 Is there a safe place to stash extra gear (like wheels) on the beach at the launch?
 Thanks again!
Andrew

No cart-No worky...BTDT  Its more work than its worth.

I would have to agree Andrew. I packed my T140 down on my shoulder, but, thanks to stuart, my kayak is home with me. I considered donating it to the beach if I was going to have to carry it back up. It is brutal. Don't do it without wheels.

This is all good to know...how long is the hike? What's the elevation gain?
Sorry for all the questions - it's a long way tor drive to find out I'm in way over my head...
 Thanks again for the help...
 PS-Is it safe to stash gear on the beach?

Andrew

The hill is long but totally do-able if you have a cart.  I'm guessing it's about 1/4 mile long or so and maybe 150 or 200 ft elevation in total.

I'm way out of shape and though I huffed and puffed in a big way walking back up, it was fine... good exercise (which I desparately needed).  Just don't be in a hurry.  

I rigged a shoulder strap to the front of my yak for the tow back up the hill... worked great and saved my hands bigtime.  I used the shoulder strap from a duffle bag and added a length of rope to make it long enough to do the job.  

As for stashing stuff on the beach... do so at your own risk.  I'd say it's about as safe of a place to do that as any, but as Sean stated earlier, there's a turd in every punchbowl... you never know.

Erik

You also need to watch the swell carefully for this launch.  If its over 6.5 or from the W or SW I don't go there, its ugly!  We had near ideal launch conditions for the Tourney and several folks still manged to get dumped as its a steep little beach.

Andrew, have you thought about Ft. Bragg salmon. Im interested in trying this. I ve been there plenty of times but never launched. Its from the harbor though.

http://www.usafishing.com/fortbragg.html

I'm considering the same.  Its going to be flat this weekend.

Jeff-I've thought about it, but never been there...how long is the drive? Is there good bottom fishing up there as well? I'd definitely be interested...
 Andrew
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It sounds like Fort Bragg would have to be an over-night...leave one afternoon, fish early the next day, then come home...
 Andrew

170 from here. Thats on 101 north to Willits and then west on 20.

There is definitely good rock fish in the surrounding area but Im sure the immediate area out of Noyo harbor is well picked- Sean?? I think you'd want to stick to salmon if your're going out of the harbor and head elsewhere for rockfish. ie Caspar, Jughandle, or MacKerricher. There are tons of options except it looks like the wind might be up for Mon.