Kayaking Black Canyon to Hot Springs!

 Howdy Folks!  I think this is one of my favorite trips EVER!  I did it over Thanksgiving, I'm doing it over MLK weekend in January, and I just secured permits to do it again over President's Day Weekend (February 18-21, 2011).

This is the perfect group outing for winter!  Outstanding locations; awesome activities.  

Car Camping for 4 days and 3 nights at Lake Mead, a full day of kayaking on the Colorado River down Black Canyon to Sauna Caves and Hot Springs, one day hiking or canyoneering in the Valley of Fire State Park, and on the way home we'll tour the Hoover Dam and walk across the soaring new bridge!  (This trip is being offered here on Gay Outdoors, and to my awesome hiking/camping buddies and budettes!)

Kayaking:  An all-day 11 1/2 miles of easy/moderate kayaking (beginner level) 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 which soars above the Hoover Dam where we'll be able to see our put-in point from the day before!

Valley Of Fire State Park: An exploration of Nevada's biggest state park with several small hikes to some amazing vista's and points of visual and historic interest ... and tons of petroglyphs.  I'll also take as many people as want to go, to Fire Canyon and set up an anchor and rope and teach anybody who wants to learn, how to rappel down a 20-30 foot dry falls.

Camping: Lake Mead NRA, Boulder Beach Campground, Group Site #5

Details: The price for this trip is $275 and includes 4 days and 3 nights of camping, a welcome Chili and 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 vests, dry bags, a hotel room for showers after our day of kayaking and a BBQ picnic dinner on Saturday night ... Woohoo!  Registration/Waiver form and payment will be required in advance of the trip.

Weather: Winters are usually mild with temperatures ranging from 32-70F, with snow seldom falling. So, January/February could be chilly at night with some wind but days should be comfortable. 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!

Out of State Travellers:  Twice now I've picked-up people from the airport to join us on this adventure ... if you're considering flying to Las Vegas, arrange times/dates with me in advance of purchasing your tickets!