Kayak trip to New Hogan Reservoir

I meant to visit New Hogan Reservoir for the first time in the spring this year, but the Coronavirus lockdown spoiled my plans, so I went in June (with the Eddyline Fathom LV) instead, and again in July (with the Oru kayak).

I was pleasantly surprised each time I went; New Hogan reservoir seemed nearly deserted - on  weekdays, in the summer after Labor Day - because the camp grounds were closed.  The water is warm, and there were long peaceful periods when I didn't hear PWCs, skiers, or motorboats, and didn't see any people.

These photos are from June and July.  If the boat launch would shut down it would be close to perfect, in spite of the low water level.

Stopped for lunch in a low-water peninsula.

Took selfies using a phone to trigger the camera.  This is supposed to be an animated GIF, but the timing info for the frames has been stripped from the image for no good reason, and it's not what I wanted.  

A coffee break on the north-east part of the lake.

Launch site near Coyote Point.

A rocky island in the lake.

Recommendations: visit in the spring, before Labor Day, in non-pandemic years.  If the campgrounds are closed, go during the summer; swim often, and bring extra drinking, water to deal to cope with the lack of shade when the water has pulled back from the treeline.  Avoid Wrinkle Cove, everyone goes there - try the Whiskey Creek Day Use Area, or go to Coyote Point and bring a cart to get your boat to the water.

The Whiskey Creek, Slate Creek, and Bear Creek arms of the lake (on the south end) are 5mph restriction areas, so they ought to be free from skiers and PWCs.  The south end of the Whiskey Creek arm has inlet tunnels under a road that that are big enough to paddle thru if the water is high enough.