Water Wheel/Big River this weekend ??

[76miller]

Whos going out this weekend and staying until the 5th ? I always go to Big Bend in Parker and I get beat up pretty bad out there in the middle of the day. Looking to cruise the other side of the dam with somebody that is familiar with the sand bars ?? Is anybody gonna be around this weekend through Thursday ??? -76miller

[76miller]

Cool.....well when I'm beached up on a sand bar this weekend atleast throw a beer can at me when you drive by !

[breezeblocker]

br from friday night till next saturday, i'll throw something at ya:D

[Twins+one]

Whos going out this weekend and staying until the 5th ? I always go to Big Bend in Parker and I get beat up pretty bad out there in the middle of the day. Looking to cruise the other side of the dam with somebody that is familiar with the sand bars ?? Is anybody gonna be around this weekend through Thursday ??? -76miller
Just stay to AZ side and you will be fine!!!

[OverKill]

I won't be there until Labor Day, if your gonna be there then I will start saving my cans now LOL:D

[76miller]

So the AZ side is the safest ? I was probably gonna launch near the Wheeler Inn, and just float till I see some other boats. If anybody else has some helpful info I'm all ears, .... or just save your cans.lol

[OverKill]

So the AZ side is the safest ? I was probably gonna launch near the Wheeler Inn, and just float till I see some other boats. If anybody else has some helpful info I'm all ears, .... or just save your cans.lol
76 Miller
You don't want to be on the AZ side if your headed down to lost lake from wheeler INN. You don't want to be right in the center of the river you want to be about 25 feet from center to the right/California side.
Also before you launch look accross the river on the other side you will be able to see where the water line should be at max fill. I believe if your at Wheeler Inn, that is the California side just next to the bridge. If you see any islands under the Rail Road bridge, it is still way to low.
If you want a better guess as to what Time to head out, between 11:30 and Noon you should be fine. If you need to refill the cooler, you can go down river from Wheeler Inn and you will see another park on the right/California Side. It's called the Doc Restuarant, the best part about it is you can doc your boat and walk about 100 feet to the resturant. They have an outdoor window just for beer sales.
My best advise is to go to virtualearth.com and type in Big River California. they just up dated all the images so you can get a better idea of where everything is.
Good luck and have a blast, maybe we will meet up on Labor Day
OverKill:)

[76miller]

Overkill- thanks alot for the info, I will do my best on dodging those sandbars ! Docs Restuarant sounds pretty cool too, I will have to check it out. I'm sure after I get it figured out on this side of the dam I'll be moving the trailer, I can't hang with those wake board boats much longer ! Hope to meet ya on Labor Day. Thanks again.-76miller

[Squirtcha?]

76 Miller
You don't want to be on the AZ side if your headed down to lost lake from wheeler INN. You don't want to be right in the center of the river you want to be about 25 feet from center to the right/California side.
Also before you launch look accross the river on the other side you will be able to see where the water line should be at max fill. I believe if your at Wheeler Inn, that is the California side just next to the bridge. If you see any islands under the Rail Road bridge, it is still way to low.
If you want a better guess as to what Time to head out, between 11:30 and Noon you should be fine. If you need to refill the cooler, you can go down river from Wheeler Inn and you will see another park on the right/California Side. It's called the Doc Restuarant, the best part about it is you can doc your boat and walk about 100 feet to the resturant. They have an outdoor window just for beer sales.
My best advise is to go to virtualearth.com and type in Big River California. they just up dated all the images so you can get a better idea of where everything is.
Good luck and have a blast, maybe we will meet up on Labor Day
OverKill:)
Overkill- thanks alot for the info, I will do my best on dodging those sandbars ! Docs Restuarant sounds pretty cool too, I will have to check it out. I'm sure after I get it figured out on this side of the dam I'll be moving the trailer, I can't hang with those wake board boats much longer ! Hope to meet ya on Labor Day. Thanks again.-76miller
I headed south from BR at 12:40 and hit the rock bar about a half hour later. As some others have told me (after the fact) you can beat the river's flow when running down stream. Figure the current is 5 mph and I was going 40 and change. Sure the level LOOKED GOOD when I left out of Big River, and it should've been late enough in the day, but it wasn't. If I'da left a half hour later all would've been fine.
As it turned out I just got done setting my motor back in after having to strip, flip, and repair some damaged glass. I wasn't trying to be a hero, just didn't know any better. Guess what????? I do now. I'll never try that run again unless I know the river is at it's fullest.
If I'm making you nervous that's good. Try to find someone that knows the dealio to go with if at all possible.
Here are some of the pitfalls of hitting something while downstream (especially if you're boat is disabled) It's a long way back up stream. Oh yeah, one other thing. You keep talking about hitting sand bars. They're rock bars. Although there may be a sand bar or two somewhere, all the ones I've seen are rock.
http://www.***boat.com/forums/showthread.php?t=153520

[76miller]

Squirtcha- Sorry to hear about your luck. I was pretty much planning on floating until I see somebody that might be local. I'm actually really nervous because I just dumped alot of $$ into the pump but I know that there is alot of other boats with alot more $$ into them on this side of the dam and they can't stop talking about the place so I'm going for it. Good looking out though:) -76miller

[Dogballs]

You could always trailer down a little further to lost lake and drop in there! good little stretch of river and shell beach is a sweet hot rod hang out that most of the people from BR end up at anyways. just my .01

[OverKill]

You could always trailer down a little further to lost lake and drop in there! good little stretch of river and shell beach is a sweet hot rod hang out that most of the people from BR end up at anyways. just my .01
dogball
does Lost Lake still have that gas pump at the boat doc. Not the one on land by the store, but the one in the water at the end of the channel
.

[76miller]

Dogball- that sounds alot less stressful for the first voyage. :idea: I just might do that. I could probably find somebody to follow through the shallow stuff at some point after hanging out at Lost Lake. Cool, thanks. -76miller

[OverKill]

76Miller
Unless you really like driving, I would just take the boat down there. From whrere your at it will be 25 minutes by boat and an hour and 25 minutes by car. It's not that bad just make sure the water is all the way up and your good. If worst came to worst, you can ask anyone out there if they feel the water is all the way up. In fact now that I think about it, at Wheeler Inn there is a check in office and the lady there is very nice and helpfull. Also keep an eye on other boats going by. If there on the water, than so should you.
OverKill

[Squirtcha?]

You could always trailer down a little further to lost lake and drop in there! good little stretch of river and shell beach is a sweet hot rod hang out that most of the people from BR end up at anyways. just my .01
What time does the water level come up at LL? I'm guessing it would be just a bit later? I boated down there quite a few years ago and liked it, but we almost made the same mistake on getting out there too early.

[OverKill]

What time does the water level come up at LL? I'm guessing it would be just a bit later? I boated down there quite a few years ago and liked it, but we almost made the same mistake on getting out there too early.
Dan you better stick with me, I'll be your HERO.

[Squirtcha?]

I'll be the HERO.
Yeah, good idea. You lead the way. I'll be right behind (100 yards or so).

[LLGirl]

dogball
does Lost Lake still have that gas pump at the boat doc. Not the one on land by the store, but the one in the water at the end of the channel
.
Yes, the gas dock at the end of the lagoon is still there.

[LLGirl]

What time does the water level come up at LL? I'm guessing it would be just a bit later? I boated down there quite a few years ago and liked it, but we almost made the same mistake on getting out there too early.
The water usually comes up to our liking shortly after noon. Thursdays are always low days. The water has been pretty high lately. We're heading out tomorrow:D And remember... shell beach is really the sandbar/beach PAST Lost Lake with all of the shells on it ;) Us LL locals call the other one that all the BR peeps frequent, the "upper sandbar"!

[gqchris]

HEy Guys,
I will be out at Water Wheel with the boat for the first time this year. Im also new to the area, so if anyone sees me,please let me know. I will be with a friend that has a place at Water Wheel. Sure would like to put a face to the names on here. Will be there Friday night thru Sunday! I wll be in this boat, a little changed since this pic, but mainly the same with a dark beige bimini.
Chris
http://i23.photobucket.com/albums/b377/gqchris/boatold.jpg

[tiki god]

gqchris, we might be at the wheel this weekend, but definitely tuesday through sunday. if you get a chance stop by #57 - we always have plenty of cold beer.

[clownpuncher]

gqchris, we might be at the wheel this weekend, but definitely tuesday through sunday. if you get a chance stop by #57 - we always have plenty of cold beer.
We may be up as well. Just got home today, but, I got an itch to go back. No boat though, broke my motor and it's being built as I write.
See ya sometime this weekend or during the week
GGchris, I'll keep an eye out for ya

[gqchris]

Sounds good Tiki God, Ill keep an eye out! I am in Space 136 near the beach at my buddy Todd's. We are heading out in the morning to a beach up north? Not sure of the name, leaving round noon or so. Welcome to join us if u got down here early!
Chris

[gqchris]

We may be up as well. Just got home today, but, I got an itch to go back. No boat though, broke my motor and it's being built as I write.
See ya sometime this weekend or during the week
GGchris, I'll keep an eye out for ya
Sounds good Clown, hit me up, we r in Space 136. Sorry to hear bout your motor. Been there , done that! Hope it works out though for the best!
Chris