Lake Powell - Halls Crossing - April/May 2013

[cousinlll]

Ok boys & Girls......  There was a whole lot of talk at this years BHCC about a spring trip to Halls Crossing on Lake Powell.  This is a post for details & information about this trip that Brian (Wadefisherman) & I are planning.  So please post with your question & suggestions.  But mostly, Brian & I want to hear from those that are interested in joining us so please speak up!

Halls Crossing is located uplake and is about a 7 to 8 hour drive to get there.  Yes, a long way but in my opinion, well worth it.  But then again, I love to drive so that's no big deal to me.  The drive is a bit of an adventure as you're traveling thru the reservation, Monument Valley & includes an interesting drive up the Moki Dugway.

There are four options for you to consider for lodging:

1) Like Brian & Chris (Redmule) are doing, pull your Fifth Wheel & boat to camp in an nearby RV park w/ full hook ups that accepts reservations.
2) Stay in a "Family Unit" which is a 3 bed/2 bath trailer & share expenses, Dave (Sparkchaser) & I'll probably be choosing this option.  We've done this for the past two trips.  These are also reservable.
3) Like Tom (MenRats) did last year, camp in another campground that has no hook ups.  The area is first come first serve.
4) Take your tent & shore camp on your new favorite beach. 

Here are some of the preliminary details:

When:  We're looking at dates from the last weekend in April to the first weekend of May.  Brian & Chris will chime in on their plans but for Dave & I, we're considering a 5 day trip in conjunction with one of the two weekends.  Open for discussions still....

How Much!:  Brian will explain more about this as he's been talking with "da guy".  Seems Brian has a pretty good rate going for both the RV Park & Family Units, quite a bit cheaper than what we paid the last couple years.  Sounds like the more people we have going & the more units (whether that's RV spots or Family Units) we reserve, the better the rate.

Halls Crossing:  Some general info, the RV park & Family Units are combined in one area & are very close to each other.  MenRats campground is down the road a bit & across the street but still not far.  There is a general store with supplies, although I haven't been in it so I don't know what it has.  Along with gas for da boat at the fuel dock, there are both gas & diesel pumps available (credit card only as there is no attendant) very close to the RV Park & Family Units.  Last couple years I thought, for where it's located at, gas/diesel prices weren't all that out of line.  Both the ramp & fish cleaning station are a short drive away.

Copy & Paste FYI items:

Halls Crossing: 43 sties, 2 group sites, dump station, potable water, 2 dish sinks, hot/cold showers. Laundry, store, gas, phones, and launch ramp 1/2 mile. The concessioner also operates an RV park with 32 full hook-up sites, store, laundry, showers, and launch ramp 1/2 mile. For reservations call 800-528-6154. Fees apply.

Halls Crossing Developed Campground
Halls Crossing has has a developed campground with picnic tables, grills, centrally located bathrooms in each loop. Approximately 64 sites. Fee is $18/night. No reservations. Open all year.

Halls Crossing RV Park
Halls Crossing has an RV campground with full hookups. Accomodates most sizes of vehicles. Approximately 32 sites. Fees vary. Reservations accepted. Open all year.

Links:

Family Units:   http://www.lakepowell.com/accomodations/family-accommodations.aspx

Camp:   http://www.lakepowell.com/rv-and-camping/campground.aspx

Halls Crossing Map:  http://www.nps.gov/glca/planyourvisit/upload/halls%20crossing%20map.pdf

Mapquest Direction from My House:  http://mapq.st/SQf3Y0  (so you can enter your own address)

SO WHO WANTS TO COME ALONG? 

[wadefisherman]

The rv stes will be $49 per day and we negotiated the family units down to $150 per day. There may be some better rates if we get multiple units. If you want to get into some walleye and smallies this is the trip for you.

[OneBlade]

I have some interest in this trip and could do a Wed-Sun trip.  How does weather play into this?  What's it like that time of year?  Go rain, wind, or shine or shift to next week type thing?  How far of a drive do most go on the water?

[cousinlll]

Good questions Matt!  First thing to do is buy the Fish-n-Map of Lake Powell North.  It'll help you understand what we're trying to say.

Yes, the spring weather can be unpredictable & has played a part in my past trips.  We had windy days last year with sustained winds of 10-15 mph (remembered the wind but had to double check the almanac) but it was really a non factor as there are tons of places to hide.  We are fishing all the side canyons off the main channel.  Even with these winds & gusts the main lake conditions were nothing your boat couldn't handle.  Just have to be prepared for whatever the forecast calls for.

As far as travel times, you don't have to go far to find fish!  Plenty of great spots/areas/canyons near the Halls Crossing ramp to catch fish.  Heck, two years ago w/ da wife we caught Walleye & an occasional Striper or two trolling around an island about a 1/2 mile from the ramp.  I understand what you're asking & I was wondering the same thing my first time there.  You make your own adventure...

[Fishless]

I might be interested, couple questions?

whey hall crossing instead of Walweap?

if up north fishing better whey halls instead of bullfrog? since it is closer, have stayed in the family units at bullfrog and it was great long story but due to weather the plans to camp got shut down and the people at bullfrog gave us a great deal on the house trailers and that included a slip at the marina with a security guard there at night?

are you targeting crappie or what ever bites?

thanks

Matt,  most beautiful lake in the state and she can be a gem for fishing or she can be a very mean lady have had snow and hail storms in April and May and wind storms that almost rolled our 50' house boat coming into walweap out of warm creek, watched house boats that broke loose from mooring field washed 50' up onto rocky beaches from the waves, been other times where the lake was a lady and calm and fantastic weather

[redmule]

Last year was my first trip to Powell, so I don't have any hair raising stories (which is good, cause I'm bald!)..   

Weather was really a non-factor...  Tho we were prepared for everything...   

Brian and I stayed fairly close to home, except for one morning...   We went 30 miles or more upriver, but we were catching as many fish close to home...   

To give you some idea, between the seven people (3 boats), we caught over 140 Walleye in 3 days...  Caught some Bass and yes, even Crappie...     

I have to defer to Larry and Brian for all info, but this trip is a great one...

[Fish Hawk]

OK. Who's got an open back seat and whats the date. If I'm not in the middle of moving and at this time it doesn't look like it.

[cousinlll]

whey hall crossing instead of Walweap?

if up north fishing better whey halls instead of bullfrog? since it is closer

are you targeting crappie or what

No expert on Lake Powell as this will only be my third trip - all to Halls Crossing.  Others will give you their opinion but in talking with members from the old Walleye club, Walleye fishing is much better up lake than in the southern end. My opinion only, water temps are cooler especially in the spring during the spawn making it more attractive for Walleye. 

Halls Crossing is closer than Bullfrog.  Bullfrog is on the north side of the lake while Halls is across the bay on the south side.  Some additional drive time or ferry boat ride from Halls is needed to get there.  That's what Mapquest says also.  Of course I've never been there but that's my thoughts, I could be wrong though!

And yes, Walleye & Crappie are our targets. I ran into a nice school of slabs two years ago in the back of a canyon. Brought back a limit.  Brian & Chris caught a couple nice Crappie last year.  Hopefully again this year there is an unlimited harvest on Walleye.

LLL

[Fishless]

OK thanks

wow, I looked at my post from this morning my fingers or brain weren't working very well

[WheatThin]

I'm going to be in on this trip.  This fall was my first time up north and I launched out of bullfrog but as stated earlier it's right across from Halls.  I generally fish the South end out of Wahweap in the spring time. I've done very well and gone for severaly years straight.  Either south or north end of the lake you'll catch fish.  So far I've been fairy lucky with weather, I did get stuck in some 40mph winds up there however I fished pretty much through it as I was able to find some relatively decent cover in canyons.  If you fish hard and try proven techniques we've put 50 to 100 fish in the boat in a day

I also will probably only be going from Wednesday after work until Sunday.  At the moment there is a decent chance I'll have an open seat.  I'll need to confirm, but should know sooner than later.