Kayaking Black Canyon & More!

One awesome weekend!  At 7AM Saturday morning, we dropped our kayaks into the Colorado River at the base of the Hoover Dam.  During the 11.5-mile kayak trip, we stopped along several spots to explore thermal springs, kayaked, had a picnic, and snapped a few photos.  The following day, we hiked through the Valley of Fire.  Each night, we lit a camp fire and cooked some delicious meals.  I highly recommend this trip.  Klaus Gerhart is a very experienced, knowledgeable, and friendly guide.

Jano:  Had to add that Klaus went above and beyond for the weekend.  Planned all group meals, got us hot shower access, and gave a fully professional level intro to rappelling.

Howdy Folks!

I spent the better part of this year racking my brain to find the perfect group outing for the winter months ... I think I've found the perfect location, the perfect activities, and the perfect itinerary!  Come join me and 15 others for a car camping trip to Lake Mead where we'll spend one day Kayaking, one day hiking or canyoneering in Valley of Fire or Red Rock Canyon, and one day touring the Hoover Dam and walking across the new bridge!  (*this trip is being offered on Gay Outdoors, and to my awesome hiking/camping buddies and budettes!  So, if you're opposed to camping with women, let me know and I'll try to segregate women to another trip.)

***The lead time and competition for getting permits to put-in at the Hoover Dam is brutal.  If you're interested in this trip, sign-up now! 

Kayaking:  An all-day, 11 1/2 miles of easy/moderate kayaking down the Colorado River.  We'll put-in at the base of the enormous Hoover Dam and paddle on smooth water through Black Canyon where we'll stop and explore a sauna cave and a couple different hot springs (with enough time to soak!)

The Hoover Dam:  The Power Plant Tour is $11 and about 45 minutes long ... pretty amazing ... we'll also stop and take a walk across the new bridge and look down on the Dam (we'll also be able to see our put-in point from our kayaking day!)

Valley of Fire: A caravan exploration of Nevada's biggest state park with several small hikes to some amazing vista's and point of visual and historic interest ... and a plethora of Petroglyphs!

Camping:  Lake Mead NRA, Boulder Beach Campground, Group Site #3

Details:  the price for this trip is $275 and includes 4 days and 3 nights of camping, a welcome Chili & Cornbread dinner in camp on Friday evening, breakfast at a cafe before our kayaking trip, shuttle service to and from the river, gratuities, kayaks-paddles-life jackets-dry bags, a hotel room for showers after our kayaking day before we head back to camp, and a BBQ picnic dinner on Sunday evening ... Woohoo!  Registration forms, payment and waivers will be required as far in advance of the trip as possible. 

Weather: Winters are usually mild with temperatures ranging from 32-70F, with snow seldom falling.  So, January/February could be chilly with some wind (tho always sunny), or we could have some t-shirt weather!  Our time on the river will be nippy in the morning, but that's when the sauna cave and hot springs will be most appreciated!  I just did this trip in November .. it was unseasonably chilly and windy ...and the trip was still incredible.

***The lead time and competition for getting permits to put-in at the Hoover Dam is brutal.  If you're interested in this trip, sign-up now!  If for any reason permits are unavailable at the time of booking, there will be several choices for guests:  1) full refund; 2) a new date will be available; 3) the trip could be adapted to include Red Rock Canyon hiking/canyoneering and hikes to Hot Springs.