Monument Valley-Lake Powell RV-10 Trip

ScottSchmidt · #1 10-20-2010, 10:58 PM

Last week we flew the -10 down to Lake Powell to go out on the lake for a few days and do some hiking and surfing and ended up adding onto the trip and seeing unexpected friends. It all started Wednesday morning when we departed to Page, AZ with weather to the south and west. The forecast was for some thunderstorm activity but pre-flight checks showed everything would clear Page.
Anna is now 7 months old and has been on a few trips in the plane but this trip was the most fun yet with her. They sure do grow up fast.
About halfway to Page the weather really started building around Page so I diverted to Halls Crossing (Cal Black) to wait and see what the weather would do.

Here is Anna in the plane ready to get going.

Here is a picture to the west as the storms were building and moving north.

After landing at Halls Crossing I called my friends and decided to head somewhere else for the night since the weather was not looking good most of the day. We had always wanted to land at Monument Valley and the weather looked great just to the south of us so that is where we headed.

Anna was happy to hang out for a few minutes at Halls Crossing.

The flight over to Monument Valley was only about 20 minutes but was very beautiful. A storm had come through earlier that morning and red rocks had pools of water and streams everywhere.

We flew around Monument Valley for a few minutes before landing at the airport that was paved when the Red Bull Air Racing series was there.
(My previous Red Bull write-up:http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...d=1#post138271)

The airport says it is private and you need permission but when I called and asked they really did not care and just said "no problem".

ScottSchmidt · #2 10-20-2010, 10:59 PM

After landing a truck must have seen us land from Gouldings Lodge http://www.gouldings.com/ and they came to pick us up. The lodge is just across the street and up a hill. If you did not have a 7 month old and all her stuff it would be an easy walk. The rooms are just OK for the $185/night they charge. They say they are full almost every day from spring to fall because of the number of tour buses they have come through there.
The views from the rooms are great, here is a picture from our balcony.

A picture of the hotel

We had a great day at Monument Valley just hanging out with Anna and hiking around a little. The red rocks are always very beautiful and you never get tired of it.

They have a pretty good restaurant at the hotel too, it is always fun to have some fry bread. There is a market within walking distance if you want to buy some food.

This stop was completely unexpected but we are glad we did it. It is so great to have XM weather in the plane to make decisions like this.
The next morning was one those mornings you wish they all were like. The air was crisp with no wind and just a little moisture in the air. As we ate breakfast there were powered parachutes taking off from the airport and exploring Monument Valley. We were able to get another ride to the plane and were off to Page, AZ to catch up with our friends. The flight over was only 30 minutes but it was just amazing, I did not want to land.

Lake Powell through the low clouds

ScottSchmidt · #3 10-20-2010, 11:00 PM

If you ever get the chance to stay on Lake Powell in a houseboat, boat, or in tents, don't pass it up. It is such an amazing place to be and if you have AT&T you will have no cell coverage so no one can bother you

We were on a houseboat which really spoils you. They rent houseboats and you can usually find deals for a week. With 2 or more families sharing it is very reasonable. We have had over 30 people on this boat before and most sleep on the roof. The stars at night will be brighter than you have ever seen in your life. We also did a hike called West Canyon that was very cool. We camped at Labyrinth Bay which also has a very nice slot canyon.
A few pictures of the Lake.

If you have never tried surfing behind a boat you have got to do it someday. You pull up on a rope and then just throw the rope in the boat and surf about 2-6 feet behind the boat. This boat is loaded with water ballast and makes an incredible wave.

This is in the back of Labyrinth Canyon using a wave runner to get back as far as I could.

This owl has been hanging out for a few years here.

Here are some pictures from hiking up West Canyon.

ScottSchmidt · #4 10-20-2010, 11:01 PM

I couldn't take the camera beyond here because of a swim in freezing water but it was very cool just beyond that picture. You'll have to see for yourself I guess.

We thought our trip was about done on Saturday when everyone went home. We decided to hang out on the boat for one more night and while I was driving the houseboat back to the dock I sent a text to Tim and Andrea Olson letting them know we were hanging out for a night and they had a free place to stay if they wanted. I know they were flying their RV-10 from Wisconsin out west that day for a family week long vacation. They had originally planned to fly to Oregon first but I thought maybe there was bad weather up north and they would do their trip in reverse. They received my text while they were getting fuel in Kansas and an hour later I received a text saying they were on their way! Amazing! They flew to Page, AZ with one stop in Kansas.

Anna just loves their two daughters so it was fun to have them stay with us Saturday night on the boat. The next day we took two wave runners out for a little exploring and the girls did the slide off the back before we headed for the airport.

Me with Tim and Andrea's daughters.

We departed Page AZ after some lunch and flew with Tim and Andrea to Marble Canyon before departing back to Salt Lake and they continued their trip onto San Diego. It was a 5 minute flight with some more great picture opportunities. The Marble Canyon runway has really degraded from a couple of years ago and is in desperate need of repaving. Hopefully it will be completed soon.

ScottSchmidt · #5 10-20-2010, 11:01 PM

Approaching Marble Canyon

Another great adventure thanks to our RV-10.

RV-Grin the whole way home!!

Mike S · #6 10-20-2010, 11:48 PM

Scott, thanks for the wonderful write up.

Houseboating on Lake Powell is on my bucket list of vacations.

GREAT photos

DakotaHawk · #7 10-21-2010, 12:52 AM

I agree with Mike S. Those pictures really look great. I got to do my first flying vacation last summer - flying from Seattle to Utah, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, Wisconsin (Oshkosh), and then back home via Mt Rushmore. My son and I spent three weeks just bumming around.

Your write-up is now near the top of my "bucket list" of places to go!

Kenny Gene · #8 10-21-2010, 07:09 AM

My youngest daughter and I flew my 7a out last August through Monument Valley on our way to KSDL, however we did not land. The views are Awesome.

Like Mike, my 10 is almost complete! First engine start, 10-8-10-10 and inspection is scheduled for 10-30-10,,

I'm looking forward to taking the entire family on these trips!

RV10,, 10-10!!

Kenny Gene
294TC RV7a 9-07 590 hrs
484TC RV10 10-10!!

L.Adamson · #9 10-21-2010, 07:15 AM

Excellent pics as usual! Glad you made it through the weather to spend some enjoyable days. We were going to go last weekend, and canceled the hotels at Page because of the weather. Of course, most of the week, the weather is great! And.............it looks like were canceling again today, because of the upcoming weather. Maybe next month... as I've been there several times on the weekend before Thanksgiving, with good weather.

So.............I'll show these pics to the wife, and imagine we're there..

L.Adamson --- RV6A

ScottSchmidt · #10 10-21-2010, 07:51 AM

Out of all the days we planned on flying into Page we picked the day when tornadoes ripped through Flagstaff and there was one tornado reported around Lake Powell. We had one small cell come through Monument Valley late in the afternoon but it was perfect weather the next 5 days.

Good luck on your trip.