Boston Kayaker

Boating on Colorado River and Black Canyon - in Willow Beach AZ Rating: Four Stars - The Black Canyon gorge is one-of-a-kind site, with its brown rocky ridges devoid of any vegetation. is a must-see! The river was about the same navigable width the whole route. A view of the US newest and highest archbridge is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. I give this the highest 4-star rating.   Put in at the marina   in Willow Beach AZ. Paddle north to Route 93   arch bridge and return. Estimated round trip   distance = 22 miles Willow Beach marina   boat/kayak rentals   O'Callaghan-Tillman   Memorial Bridge Hoover Dam Lake Mead National   Recreation Area   Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to determine the legality, suitability and safety of this route for yourself.

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Other resources: Paddling.net: Willow Beach Trip Report Willow Beach Marina US Parks Service: Lake Mead National Recreation Area Wikipedia: Hoover Dam Wikipedia: Mike O'Callaghan – Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge Number of original photos on this page : 55 All photos in this website are original and copyrighted. We came to Las Vegas for a high school reunion in April 2011. From Vegas, we did this side adventure of renting a motorized boat on nearby Colorado River in Willow Beach AZ. We are about to enter the Lake Mead area. National Parks Service sign: Welcome to Lake Mead National Recreational Area At Willow Beach AZ. Was about 90 minutes of driving time from Las Vegas NV to here. Willow Beach Marina We will be renting one of those canopied 16-hp boats. The Boston Kayaker on a motor boat on Colorado River. The Colorado River. Motoring northwards upriver, Nevada is on the left bank and Arizona is on the right bank. The magnificent Black Canyon carved by the Colorado River. This stretch of the river near Willow Beach is a kayaker's haven. /colorado/thumb100_2687crop.jpg A lot of indented cave-like areas to beach. Walkway on the cliff-side. Approaching the newly built arch bridge. O'Callaghan-Tillman Memorial Bridge from below Colorado River. Beautiful bridge. Beatiful wife! There is a security line telling boaters not to proceed. From the Tillman bridge, we turned around and boated south to return to Willow Beach. The Willow Beach marina is just over there . . . Back to dock. At Willow Beach Marina. The Colorado River looking downriver from the marina. On our drive back to Las Vegas NV, we stopped by the O'Callaghan-Tillman Memorial Bridge. Plaque on the bridge reads: Mike O'Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge Completing the bypass - a planned approach   - After the design was completed, six separate yet overlapping projects were needed to complete the bypass   - Projects were sequenced to increase competition and quality, matching industry capabilities with work requirements Another plaque on the bridge reads: Mike O'Callaghan - Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge Completing the bypass - a team approach to funding   - The project was completed on the original $240 million funding.   - The project's funding reflected the federal and state partership necessary to complete the project.   - Pie chart:       Arizona Funds $20M       Nevada Funds $20M       Federal Funds $100M       Advanced from Bond Funds by Arizona and Nevada $100M The Hoover Dam viewed from the memorial bridge. Hoover Dam is jointly owned by the states of Nevada (west bank) and Arizona (east bank).