Heidi decided she had to try out her new paddle and she is trying to keep her old dad going so we headed south to Black Canyon on the Colorado River just below Hoover Dam which is now a national water trail. We usually make this trip in February when it is about 70 degrees in the canyon. We left unusually cold weather of a few below zero just to find unusually cold weather in Black Canyon with highs about 45 and lows below freezing and very long nights. We also found and abundance of Boy Scouts and others on the river making the hot springs a little crowded. You can pay for an outfitter to drop you off below the dam and enjoy an easy 12 mile paddle to Willow Beach. This brings in every variety and it is usually a fun and interesting group. We start at Willow Beach and paddle up river. If you have never heard of the Black Canyon it is a short 12 mile paddle each way just outside of Las Vegas. You can see the old trail and gauging station used before the construction of the dam, enjoy natural hot springs, and see bighorn sheep and other desert animals as well as an incredible variety of birds. There are some great side canyons for hiking that you have seen on my previous slide shows. We skipped the canyons this time and most of the hot springs but still had a great time.

Link to the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KcPnqt9TvUw

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