Joes Valley

[billybass23]

I've never been down to Joes Valley Reservoir before but was thinking about making the trip this weekend. Just wondering if anyone's been down there recently and how it's been fishing. Also just wondering about camping possibilities there, i'm more looking for non improved places around the reservoir or nearby to pitch a tent with some solitude. Thanks! Hopefully I'll have a good report to give.
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[LOAH]

There's primitive camping all over the place out there. Solitude? Maybe. It's a very active area for ATV's.

Can't tell you how it's fishing, but brass and copper kastmasters are great there.
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[gaetzchamp]

+1 on what Loah said. Also, I've found the big tigers will also hit Rapalas. You gonna come up through Orangeville? I haven't heard how much snow is still up on the Skyline so if you come up through Ephraim, you may want to check. Good Luck and take picts for us.

Gaetz
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[Lonnie]

Forest service gate closed until memorial week end above the lake. There is good primitive camping through upper joes valley ( take the road along lowery water heading towards millers flat/Cleveland.just fallow the sign) If you can get to grassy lake (stay on road straight ahead at JV campground/marina , don't turn toward campground/marina) Grassy lake is about 4-5 miles up the road and has great camping all over near the lake. There is no primitive camping right on joes valley, but great areas all around. If the fishing is slow on the lake , hit the river below the dam for some browns. (won't be affected by runoff. Do a little exploring of the area' there is streams and lakes all over the area that are very scenic and can produce some good fishing.
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[addicted2fishin]

As posted in previous posts, I'm planning on being up there for my first time over memorial weekend. We have a camping spot reserved in the campgrounds at the lake (pulling a long camp trailer up there). I've now been warned that it may be too early to drag a trailer up there due to snow conditions, and it may be too early to take the kids up there (too cold for them to have any fun). Any input on this would be GREATLY appreciated as we need to make a decision really soon if we are going to have to change our plans. Ive never been there, and neither have the people we are going with. We will be driving out from the Tooele area, so that's a very long drive to only find out we have to turn around and find somewhere else to go.

Thanks for all the input you can give!!
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[LOAH]

I doubt it will be too cold down there. The lake sits at 7000ft and it's a mere canyon away from a hot desert. With the temps we've gotten lately, you won't see any snow until you get back into Olsen Canyon.

If you try to get to Grass Lake, you'll probably be fine most of the way, although there's a drift that likes to block the last mile or so until June.

If you try to get to Pete's Hole, you'll probably hit some drifts once the road gets back into the thick pines for a couple of miles.

Everybody says it's a bad snow year, but I'm not convinced.

You'll be fine at Joe's though. No question.

If it's 80 degrees in Orangeville, it'll be 70 at Joe's. It probably won't even frost overnight, from now on.
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[Lonnie]

If your staying in the camp ground you will have no problem pulling the trailer in. It is paved road all the way. The weather at the lake is very mild even in the winter Temp's will only be slightly cooler than the valley here in SLC and a little cooler at night. Unless there is stormy weather you will have perfect weather there.
As for the kids, I grew up camping at that place at least once a week. It is one of the best locations you will ever find for taking the kids camping.Rest assured , you will have no problems, perfect weather and you will have to drive a few miles to find any snow. You will have to access through orangevill however as all mountain passes above ephrium will be snowed in until atleast mid june.
There is also a market in Orangeville with any needed supplies should a need come up. (15 miles from the dam)
Check the dwr sight for fishing updates. A friend of mine said the fishing has been great for splake, cuts and tiger trout, as well as an occasional tiger muskie. Wish I was going !
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[addicted2fishin]

Thanks for all of the input. I'm always a little nervous trying out a new area when I'm taking the family with me, and especially when I'm dragging the camp trailer. That thing is a monster at 32' from to tail. Of course now I'm trying to see if I can find a way to put a small hitch behind it and drag a little aluminum boat behind it when I go..........
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[LOAH]

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Try to keep that rig on the road!

Actually, you might get a little bit distracted by the creek on the way up the canyon. It's so neat looking that you might drift across the line a few times.
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[addicted2fishin]

[quote LOAH][laugh]

Try to keep that rig on the road!



[#000050]Exactly the reason I really want to know the snow conditions! I've never pulled doubles before. My truck can handle it (F350), I just want to make sure whatever I tow behind is small enough that it won't cause any extra sway or problems. I can't imagine a little 14' aluminum boat / trailer would do much. [/#000050]

Actually, you might get a little bit distracted by the creek on the way up the canyon. It's so neat looking that you might drift across the line a few times.[/quote]


With that in mind......what is the road like going up there? Is it steep? Narrow?
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[LOAH]

It's about the size of most rural two-lane highways, although there are a few turns that might be a little bit tight for a road train. I'm sure you can make it though.

It's not very steep at all. Not to Joe's, at least.

Your family will really enjoy watching the landscape transform, starting from Spanish Fork Canyon, then plunging into Price Canyon, which is really cool.

After that, you're in Castle Country for awhile and as you get closer to Castle Dale/Orangeville, you'll see the Swell to your left in the distance. Cool stuff in there.

Then you'll start driving into the canyon and everything just keeps getting better somehow. You'll really like the area.

Get on Google Maps (or my blog - Utah Water Log) and start looking at the photos of the area to get yourself excited.[]
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[Lonnie]

Like Loah said. The Drive is great .rigs with very large 5th wheels are pulled up there all the time. The sheep herders drive their 18 wheelers up every spring and fall with no problem. The only section you will have much of any grade is maybe the last 2 miles below the dam and that's not bad. The road through that section is a little windy though, but not anything to worry about.
If your kids want a break in the camping , there is a museum in castle dale that's kind if cool.(2 miles from Orangeville, just turn by the high school) As Loah said , the stream below the dam can be fun , Lowery water can be good also (one of the feeder rivers to joes valley) if the runoff doesn't muddy the creek up to bad. Do a little exploring the area is great. Talk to a dwr officer they will give you great advice, and are usually around the lake on a daily basis. Let us know how it goes.
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[orvis1]

Just be careful if you take up ATV's. The hosts at the lake campground are nazi's about anything being parked on non pavement. You should be fine hauling your rig up there I pull at 30ft 5th wheel and atv trailer double up that canyon. Lots of good options up that way for fishing, maybe you get lucky and hammer a monster. Looking forward to reading your report.
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