Lake Powell
Story and photos by Michael Krajnak
Lake Powell is the liquid gem of the Southwest. With more shoreline than the West Coast, Powell’s 180-mile length is filled with red rocks, slot canyons, ruins, arches and deep, blue water. We spent the early part of September on a houseboat. Our clients came from Maryland and the scenery was nothing they could have imagined before our trip.
We lumbered up the lake, jet skis and speed boat in tow, and found an isolated side canyon to park our boat. The ensuing days were filled with skiing, swimming, hiking, jet skiing, fishing, tubing and lounging under the deep, blue skies. We spent most nights on the top deck, drinking in the thousands of stars as we drifted off to sleep. We spotted a diamondback rattlesnake on a narrow canyon wall during a daily foray into one of Powell’s 90 side canyons.
Lake Powell view - photo by Mike Krajnak.
We hiked to Rainbow Bridge, a sacred monument to the Navajo people. At 275 feet in width and taller than the U.S. Capital building, Rainbow is the largest natural bridge in the world. At current lake levels, a one mile hike lead us to the great span. The bridge is a powerful place, as it frames 10,388 foot Navajo Mountain in the background. The fishing was nothing short of spectacular. One evening we witnessed a “Striper boil” from the top deck. We jumped in the speed boat and motored over to the frenzy, catching Striped Bass as fast as we could drop our hooks in the water.
Rainbow Bridge - Sacred Monument.
Michael Krajnak
Wilderness Guide
928-284-1816
walkingman@esedona.net
www.southwestoutside.com