Association Forum - Jackson/Yellowstone lakes

Assn Members Area · Join

Home.

Association Forum

Ships Store

Cruising

Racing

Technical Tips

Photo Gallery - New

Boat Search - Updated

Manuals & Brochures

Swap Meet

Links

Officer Flag Line & Staff

Bylaws & Constitution

Members Area

Join the Association

Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.

Association Forum

Username:	Password:
Save Password
Forgot your Password?

All Forums

Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

General Sailing Forum

Jackson/Yellowstone lakes

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Author

Topic

Todd Frye
Navigator

Member Avatar

USA
222 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/27/2003 : 13:25:11

Have any board members sailed on either Jackson or Yellowstone lakes (in Wyoming)? The scenery looks great, but how's the sailing? How about ramps, slips, park fees, other water traffic, marinas,best time to put in, etc. Basically the plus and minus factor, from anyone who has the T-shirt, would be greatly appreciated. Happy Holidays, Todd Frye.

Edited by - on

Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2003 : 15:33:20

I went to Yellowstone & The Grand Tetons in September 2003; while I was there I wanted to see if sailing there is an option.

Jackson Lake was so low the 2 marinas with docks were on the dirt. This lake feeds water to the potato farms in the area. I asked some of the locals about the lake level I was told it has been very low for a couple of years. The only marina still in the water that I saw only had moorings. The only ramp that was in the water would be okay to use for our size boats but tricky to get the person driving the launch vehicle on board. I did not see any docks any where close to the ramp At the marina with moorings I did see a Hobie 33, a Catalina 22 & a couple of other sailboats.

Yellowstone Lake is huge would be a great mountain lake to sail. The water level is pretty constant thru out the year. There are 2 launch ramps & marinas, the one in the west thumb I did not see. The main marina had 2 smaller sailboats I.e. 21'or smaller. The marina was very nice but to get to the lake you have to go under a bridge the clearance is around 22'. I asked someone I saw at the marina how the sailboats get out? I was told they tilt their mast back go under and tilt it back up on the other side. Of course you have to do the same thing coming back.

There is another lake in the National Park that boats are allowed on but no marinas.
The fees were pretty reasonable. The same fee allows you to use both lakes

Here is a link to some of the pictures I took of Yellowstone Lake.

http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b35ce78be4a5

Here is a link to some of the pictures I took of Jackson Lake.

http://www.shutterfly.com/osi.jsp?i=67b0de21b35ce70de423

Edited by - on

joe keith
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
26 Posts

Response Posted - 12/27/2003 : 22:04:09

We have been to Jackson Lake in the Tetons twice (1999 nad 2000). We liked it enough to go back for a second time just one year after our first (It is a days drive for us from Manitou springs Colorado). We had a Catalina 18 at the time. Lake levels were not a problem then although all 3 ramps are shallow (10% grade or less). First year we rented a mooring at the marina north of Colter bay. The second year we rented a slip at Colter bay. Both are very nice. There are several nice coves you can stay in also. The park service has several "back country" boating camp sites that you can reserve once you get there. Sailing hiking and scenery are top notch. I would highly recommend it.

Note that it is a mountain lake and can have very quick strong wind changes. Locals claim 60 mph gusts coming down the mountain valleys are common during afternoon thunder storms. We never had any of those in our two weeks but did have a couple afternoons with 30 knot winds and thunder storms. In Colorado afternoon thunder storms are the norm most of the summer so I guess it would be the same there.

If you want a slip or mooring you can reserve them through the park service.

I would like to go to Yellowstone Lake sometime but have heard that the low bridge between the marina and lake is a problem. Of course only if you want to use the marina much :)

Edited by - on

Chip Hunt
Navigator

Members Avatar

120 Posts

Response Posted - 12/28/2003 : 09:11:21

that looks like sasquatch territory...

Edited by - on

Doug Wood
Deckhand

Members Avatar

12 Posts

Response Posted - 12/28/2003 : 22:06:27

Todd - We moored our Catalina at Leeks Marina (Jackson Lake) last summer. The lake stayed at about 95% full until July 4th when they started to let the water out. By Aug 1st the lake was down noticably but still excellent sailing. We pulled out Aug 20th or so but would have been in good shape until Labor Day. Hard to beat the scenery there but it is a typical mountain lake with thunderstorms, high swirling winds on occasion. Leeks marina has the deepest ramp and is a great,low key place. Had a bear waiting for us in the parking lot one day. Coulter Bay dries up first and has big crowds.

If you sail a Cat 25 on Yellowstone Lake, Lake marina is the only place to put in. Good launching ramp and services. You have to motor out and pass under the bridge, anchor in the bay and hoist the mast. Not an easy task on a 25 at anchor (we had a Montgomery 15 at the time we did it). Yellowstone is a big beautiful lake that can be dangerous if the wind comes up. You are not allowed to anchor just anywhere on this lake. You have to check with the back country office and reserve a camp site that will allow you to leave your boat in the water. If you had three or four days to spend, got the camp sites lined up, you would be in for a trip that you wouldn't soon forget. The wild life, birds, and fishing on Yellowstone is hard to match anywhere. You won't see many other boats. The water is so cold that not very many people go there except to fish.

Hope this helps -

Edited by - on

Todd Frye
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 12/29/2003 : 12:45:35

Thanks so much for the great information. Your pictures increased my resolve to get up there Bryan. You Colorado guys might want to stop by Bear Lake (Utah / Idaho border) for a sail, when you travel up to Jackson Hole lake again. August is Raspberry Days, killer raspberry shakes, fire works and a boat parade at night (lights in the rigging, etc.). The marina is great with clean hot showers, pump out and transient docks with electricity and water. The color of the water is likened to the Carribean and there are probably 20-30 substantial sail boats that sail and race on the lake. There are hot springs on the north end of the lake, and an interesting cave for family exploration on the Idaho side. Thanks again for the insight. Todd Frye

Edited by - on

Ellis Bloomfield
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
85 Posts

Response Posted - 12/31/2003 : 20:06:09

Bryan,
Enjoyed the great pix. Brought back memories of when my brothers and I canoed in on Jackson Lake and climbed Moran many years ago. It certainly is some beautiful country.
Ellis

Edited by - on

Topic

New Topic

Topic Locked

Printer Friendly

Jump To:

Association Forum

Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.