Our Hobie engineers and factory manager took a fleet of Hobie Mirage kayaks to the Colorado river November 17-20, 2005.
The trip... Black Canyon, Nevada. This is the Colorado river and canyon below the Hoover Dam. In all, a 23 mile loop up river (against the current) to the Hoover dam and return.
The area is located to the south east of Las Vegas. They started their trip about 11 miles below the dam on Thursday evening. They arrived and rigged, loaded and shoved off after dark for a 2 1/2 mile up river leg to the first camp site.
They carried water purifying gear and all of their food and camping gear aboard the many Hobie kayaks in the fleet.
Other kayakers and canoes also make this trip. They were sometimes seen pulling their boats upstream along the shore. One group of canoes left their camping beach earlier in the morning while the Hobie guys sat around for awhile. They caught them later that morning pedaling and sailing up river.
Along the way they camped 3 nights and came across caves, hot springs and beautiful scenery.
River currents were strong, but by keeping to the shoreline in the stronger areas, they made their way upstream. The Hobie MirageDrive and sometimes the sail rigs were real assets on this trip!
The leg to the Dam was done as a day trip. All the camping gear was left behind at the camp site.
By the way, the current in the river varies depending on the flow being released from the dam. The current on the trip up stream was strong... funny thing... they reduced the flow once the guys made it to the dam. So much for the free ride down stream!
This is an example of what you use a paddle for on a Hobie Mirage kayak!
Ahhh, coasting down stream.
They tell us it was a really fun trip. I think more of us will join them next year!
