Canoeing to Canyon Lake--Point Campground

[ddgrunning]

All right all you kayaking and canoeing types ....

I'm helping plan an overnight scout adventure at Canyon Lake later this month. The plan is to canoe out to the Point Campground from Acacia beach, which is about 2 miles.

We will be departing from Gilbert after the school day on Friday, so probably won't be in the water paddling till about 5-5:30 pm. We will transport the boys' gear over to the campground by (motorized) boat, so all that they will have to transport by canoes is themselves ....

How long will it take to paddle two miles? Will we have enough daylight? The route is technically "upstream"; is it difficult?

I know all of these questions depend on the physical/mental make-up of the kid doing the canoeing, but I'm just trying to get a general idea of time/difficulty, based on your average 12-13 year old youth.

As an aside, any recent intel on the conditions at the campground?

[chumley]

Wind will be more of an issue than current. If there's a headwind it will be slow. If there's a tailwind, much faster. Against the wind it's nice to stay near shore so you have a motivator of seeing the progress made. Out in open water it can seem like you are standing still or going backward.

Assuming everybody will have short, wide, ocean-type kayaks, I wouldn't plan on going any faster than they would hike. On flat water with mostly calm wind I would plan for about 2mph. Perhaps just a little under that with kids. I wouldn't think it should drop under 1.5mph. (Longer, narrower kayaks can get better speed, but it's unlikely that's what you'll have).

So for two miles, figure a little over an hour once you start paddling. But it'll probably take half an hour to get on the water and everybody set up (depending on group size). It won't get dark until around 7, so you will cut it close. But it's pretty nice on the lake after dark if you don't mind the quick temperature drop and setting up camp in the dark!

[azbackpackr]

Good info from Chumley.

Also, if this event goes well, I'd suggest they learn to pack gear in the canoes. I see many Scouts in canoes on the Colorado River, mostly doing the stretch between Walter's Camp and Martinez Lake, usually a 3 day trip. When I was first doing those lower Colorado River stretches of river I got a lot of my original info online from Scouting sources.

And you have to get them real familiar with my favorite dumb joke: I can row a boat..............canoe?

[outdoor_lover]

Just don't be surprised if there are quite a few people at the Campground when you get there...Arriving at 7:00 on a Friday at Canyon Lake is a late Arrival....

[rcorfman]

If you have any scouts that haven't paddled before, you may want to plan for a half hour of instruction/practice which I hope is already part of your float plan. Also, the canoes should be more stable and easier to paddle with gear. Of course you then need to worry about the scouts capsizing and dunking the gear.

Should be fun!

[SuperstitionGuy]

Lights! Even if you are successful in getting to the campsite before be sure to take flashlights or whatever. They need to be handy and ready as well. Ski boats & jet skies rule over canoes and you do not want collisions!

[ssk44]

One consideration should be the canoeing part. It would be advisable that all involved are very experienced. Canoes on big narrow lakes like Canyon from April through September can be scary. The wake boarding boats will swamp you without blinking an eye. Kayaks are a different story. Especially self bailing sit-on-top models. There a no brainer. Even traditional kayaks are far safer on Canyon Lake then canoes. Between the wake boarding boats and possible wind, you're in for one hell of canoeing adventure. I emphasis "adventure". Canoeing on Canyon Lake is best in the winter. You just don't see many out there. If everyone are seasoned paddlers, go for it.

By the way.. Point Campground Overlook is a great hike! You'll love that part.

[ddgrunning]

Just don't be surprised if there are quite a few people at the Campground when you get there

Yeah. Thinking we may try to get out there with the motor boat earlier in the day to stake out a spot. Any idea how many groups the campground can reasonably accommodate? (I've never been there).

Of course you then need to worry about the scouts capsizing and dunking the gear.

Yup.

The wake boarding boats will swamp you without blinking an eye.

Definitely a concern. We'll have some contingency plans if the lake is too crowded.

traditional kayaks are far safer on Canyon Lake then canoes

Wish that were an option ....

Thanks, all!

[ssk44]

Any idea how many groups the campground can reasonably accommodate? (I've never been there).

It's a small first come first serve site..
http://www.fs.usda.gov/recarea/tonto/re ... 9&actid=29

Another campsite consideration could be a dispersed site on a point at the "Point Campground Overlook" hike trailhead. It's a decent size site for a few small tents. I don't know how large your group is? It will also be private. Nobody can camp near you. No noisy stereos blasting until midnight. The guy with the boat could run up the lake and see what the options are. Between the main campground and this dispersed site, you'll likely get lucky. The obvious benefit to the TH campsite is the easy access to the hike.

Canyon Lake Campsite.jpg

[ddgrunning]

@ssk44
Love that idea. (It's a little shorter paddle in, as well.)

We'll probably have a couple of 5-person tents for the boys, plus a a couple of one-two person tents for adults.

Thx!

[ssk44]

We'll probably have a couple of 5-person tents for the boys, plus a a couple of one-two person tents for adults.

I hope it works out. I'm not sure how its laid out and how level it is. I've not personally walked into the site. I've just seen tents up on the hill from time to time. It looks to have two open areas from the Google Earth View. It could be just right. It's a great location. Good luck and have fun!

[outdoor_lover]

@ddgrunning
Regardless of which you decided to Camp at, I would go with your "Motorboat earlier in the Day" Stakeout plan... Like, maybe in the Morning plan...This is the Time of Year when the Lakes really start getting busy...Not Cold anymore and not too Hot....