Hi everyone,

This is my first post here although I have been a Seakayaker subscriber for many years. My wife and I are planning a trip to Montana, and thought we might spend a few days paddling in Teton and Yellowstone on the way. I am looking for some advice from anyone with some experience in the area. We are going to try to make the trip right after Labor Day. I am not sure if we will be able to reserve any backcountry campsites at Shoshone lake at this late date or not, but we are going to try.

Our plan is to spend one day on Flaming Gorge, just because its on the way, then to either day paddle two days around Jackson, or spend one night at a BC site if possible. My first question is what does anyone recommend for a night on one of the Teton lakes?

Then, we will go on up to Lewis and Shoshone. We want to spend 4 days, 3 nights on Shoshone. My questions are:

Can anyone tell me what kind of conditions we might find in early September on the channel in regard to water depth, stream flow etc.? Will it likely be knee deep, waist deep...?

Are there any campsites that are especially good. Obviously, we may have to take what we can get at this late date.

I am thinking Moose Creek beach first night, cross or circumnavigate to a north shore site on day 2. Either stay put and hike/paddle to the geyser basin, or move to another northeast site on day three, then head back to Lewis on day 4. We are open to any and all suggestions.

One last thing, we have glass boats. Is the downstream channel run likely to be an obstacle course at that time of year? We have paddled them in river conditions before, but I always try to stick to a fairly deep channel. They don't like rocks much.

Thanks in advance for any advice that anyone can give us.

M.M.

I had planned to paddle Lewis and Shoshone Lakes last September. Encountered a snow storm and did not want to leave my wife alone in the car in those conditions while I was out paddling. I did get a few hours of surfing on Yellowstone Lake the day before

Camped Shoshone in July/August paddling a Current Designs Libra XT. Lined it up Lewis Creek as the rocks and shallow water are a formidable obstacle. I was glad I wore NRS low rise shoes not my Tevas. Several places I dipped in to my waist and I can say that like Oslo fjord the cold water makes all men equal. We started from the put-in ramps on Lewis Lake around 8 AM or so and made it to Shohsone outlet with time to paddle a short loop to cross at the Shoshone's nearest narrow point and then camp at Grizzly Beach with daylight to spare. Coming out we did sort of skii-jor using dead trees not our paddles for bracing, the Libra down the channel a ways but had to line it again where the current was too swift and the rocks too numerous to turn the 21 foot behemoth [the solo kayakers with us also gave up shortly after we had to] but going downstream was much more fun than up! If you drop me an email I can email fotos.
I would think YNP or USGS may have a gage, though we saw none or the Rangers can fill you in on water levels for the season and year you plan to be there for flow is likely tied to snow pack and summer weather.
We also camped at Elk Island on Jackson Lake and it was more scenic than Shoshone with Mt. Moran and Skillet glacier as our picture window, but of course no geyser basin.
Enjoy

I am not sure how this BB works but in case you missed my REply becuase it went to Chuck I am trying again:
Camped Shoshone in July/August paddling a Current Designs Libra XT. Lined it up Lewis Creek as the rocks and shallow water are a formidable obstacle. I was glad I wore NRS low rise shoes not my Tevas. Several places I dipped in to my waist and I can say that like Oslo fjord the cold water makes all men equal. We started from the put-in ramps on Lewis Lake around 8 AM or so and made it to Shohsone outlet with time to paddle a short loop to cross at the Shoshone's nearest narrow point and then camp at Grizzly Beach with daylight to spare. Coming out we did sort of skii-jor using dead trees not our paddles for bracing, the Libra down the channel a ways but had to line it again where the current was too swift and the rocks too numerous to turn the 21 foot behemoth [the solo kayakers with us also gave up shortly after we had to] but going downstream was much more fun than up! If you drop me an email I can email fotos.
I would think YNP or USGS may have a gageon Lewis Crk, though we saw none or the Rangers can fill you in on water levels for the season and year you plan to be there for flow is likely tied to snow pack and summer weather.
We also camped at Elk Island on Jackson Lake and it was more scenic than Shoshone with Mt. Moran and Skillet glacier as our picture window, but of course no geyser basin.
Enjoy
PS Just noticed you are located in Gunnison. I had three experimental watersheds on Black Mesa years ago when after snowmelt in the Spring we would hike down into the canyon at Curecanti Needle [this was before Blue Mesa Dam]to catch one of those German brown lunkers.
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wow.. never experienced to be in a kayak.. but in this place where i can kayak,, it must be a good experience.. is there anyone here planning on a group kayak activity.. hehe

The gravel in Lewis Creek is volcanic and sharp so wear good foot gear. We were there in late July and there was plenty of water then due to snow melt, but September may be more of a problem. We were able to float down stream but got a few scratchs in our rotomolded Current Designs Storms so you may want to line down stream.