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Southwest Sand SharksIf you can't stand the "Dry Heat" stay out of the region. In the heart of the Sonoran & Mohave Deserts, we dive lakes, rivers and diverse tropical waters. Including Arizona, Southern Nevada, SW New Mexico and the Northern Sea of Cortez (Gulf of California to you gringos).
Please note: The last reply in this thread was more than 6 month(s) ago.
Sooo.... is there a shallow area at the Vista Point area (for teaching) or would you suggest Spring Canyon? A gradual drop-off is ok, just didn't want a wall like Scorpion had when the water was down.
Kris:
The spring canyon area would be optimal for an OW student as that cove has at least 200' of length between 10 - 25' in depth before it drops off. This is not good for AOW if you going to do a deep dive because you burn lots of air just swimming to and from the length of this channel. However, with all the boats putting in there, unless you could get all your training dives done by 10:00 a.m. (or maybe even earlier) I would not risk it.
The vista point area would be better. It is out of the natural boating lane. It also has a nice gradual drop off so you could work on skills at 15' - 25' without swimming far from shore. However, we saw depths of 75' without to much of a swim, probably 50 yards max. I know it goes deepter but by how much I don't know.
The problem with Vista point is that there is one dirt cutout (it is not even a road) that gives you direct access to the water line. If someone is parked on it then you have to park on top of the road and hike down a fairly steep embankment (about 10') to get to the water line. That is what Steve and I had to do. Kind of a pain with all your gear, but it can be done.
I would still favor the east side over say desert tortoise. The water seams to always be clearer on that side. Plus you can find depth easier if needed. JMO.
A few of us are going to be diving Lake Pleasant on Wednesday 3/12 (tomorrow) if anyone would like to join us, you are invited. We will be meeting at the main gate off of Castle Hot Springs Rd. at 8:00 AM.
Drop me a PM or respond to this wandering thread if you want to go.
FYI I just heard that I-17 at Carefree highway (Lake pleasant turnoff) is going to be all messed up this weekend due to construction. Anyone planning on taking that route may want to check highway conditions first. Starts Friday 10PM, ends ???
Kurt, Dan and I did two dives at Two Cow Rd. today and the vis was incredible (for the lake). We had 25' - 30' vis down to about 35' and still maintained 20' or so down to 55'. Kurt got some decent pics which I'll post in the next day or so. He was trying out his new lens.
The temp at the surface is still around 54* and we hit 51* at 50'. Still a bit nippy but the vis made for some great dives.
Boy the lake sure is nice and empty on a Monday... might have to try more of this midweek diving!
Yup, midweek is the way to go. There will be three or four of us playing hooky on Wednesday morning -- there is always room for more. We're meeting at the main gate on Castle Hot Springs Road at 8:00 AM.
temp at depth (45ft) 55 degrees, vis around 5 feet. Boy the lake sure is nice and empty on a Monday... might have to try more of this midweek diving!
Kris:
Any reason you know of why was the viz so low yesterday? We have been seeing 20+ feet at 20'-40' and 10+ at 60' the last few weeks. I was hoping it would continue to get better for the next month or two, not worse.
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