Power Kite Forum

Lake Alvord OR

Dagon - 22-3-2013 at 09:28 AM

Ok so Big Kid was talking about lake Alvord in OR and he got me excited. when is the best time to go there? And who wants to meet up?

bigkid - 22-3-2013 at 09:36 AM

There are a few that we call and ask how the lake is doing, but as far as the time of year, amount of snow, rain, and what ever else, about the same time as Ivanpah is open - so is Alvord, give or take. I think the BLM of Oregon might be someone to call and ask.

Morrie, would know along with Heliboy50, casadeadon(haha), and a few others who will chime in.


Not sure but I heard that anyone from south of the boarder have to pay some strange "can I play there tax". I just tell them I live here.:P:lol:

buggeyed - 22-3-2013 at 09:48 AM

We were there mid Oct. last fall,winds were good for three days and the lakebed was dry.I plan on another trip this fall,probably around the same time.Hopefully a few more from BC will make the trip also.
If it wasn't a 28 hour round trip,I would be there more often.It's well worth the trip!!!!

BeamerBob - 22-3-2013 at 12:23 PM

I have a 24 hour round trip there as well and also planning a visit there sometime in October. I'm interested in the size of the place and the different surface as well.

DAKITEZ - 22-3-2013 at 01:33 PM

I believe that heliboy and sean will be there instead of nabx this year. I know heliboy has made many runs there the last year so he would be a good person to contact for info

jellis - 22-3-2013 at 02:13 PM

October sounds great. Morrie is a wealth of information about Alvord Dry lake near the Steens mountain range around the corner from French Glen and only 16 miles from Fields store that has the best hamburgers and shakes. BLM in Burns keeps an eye on this jewel and their contact number is 5415734400.

Dagon - 22-3-2013 at 02:31 PM

Allright, Fall Alvord buggy blast

BeamerBob - 22-3-2013 at 02:40 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Dagon
Allright, Fall Alvord buggy blast


Sounds FABBulous!

heliboy50 - 22-3-2013 at 05:46 PM

Already in the works for an October get together. CSA and I will be doing some more ground work the week of NABX and get more details to you guys as soon as we have it. I have already been putting together some info and list of resources for those interested in making the trek. Such a bummer to have to do the field research. :D

sunset-Jim - 22-3-2013 at 06:01 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by heliboy50
Such a bummer to have to do the field research. :D


Sometimes ya just gotta do whatcha gotta do, way to take one for the team.

sand flea - 22-3-2013 at 06:13 PM

Shear brilliance Dagon!


eagerly awaiting.....

bigkid - 22-3-2013 at 07:55 PM

I made mention of Alvord to my wife and she said we should stop by on the way home from Jibe. We will be stopping in Bend for a day or so, why not? It is uncanny how my wife knows what I am thinking without saying a word.
Fletcht, you up for a day or too at Alvord? Figure about the 22nd of May or so.

Wow, just add one more stop to the "2013-USA Buggy Tour".:bigok:

fletcht - 29-3-2013 at 09:07 PM

Quote:
Fletcht, you up for a day or too at Alvord? Figure about the 22nd of May or so.


I will only be half way home by the 22nd of May. Hangin out in Iowa for a few days. Any buggy spots in Iowa?

MDK - 30-3-2013 at 03:30 PM

Alvord on a low wind day with my daughter in November
http://youtu.be/dCumFsVF-yI

MDK - 30-3-2013 at 03:32 PM

I too will be there in October, and second week home from Ivanpah and every other weekend till July :)

revpaul - 12-4-2013 at 01:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by heliboy50
Already in the works for an October get together. CSA and I will be doing some more ground work the week of NABX and get more details to you guys as soon as we have it. I have already been putting together some info and list of resources for those interested in making the trek. Such a bummer to have to do the field research. :D

does one require permit for Alvord?

bigkid - 12-4-2013 at 01:58 PM

No permits required.

revpaul - 12-4-2013 at 02:18 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bigkid
No permits required.

SWEET!!

heliboy50 - 12-4-2013 at 03:56 PM

Actually, per the blm officer responsible for that area permits are required for groups of 12 or more, not free, 3 month lead time. There is an end around that some have used, personally I would rather stay in good graces with the folks who oversee it. Personally, I would encourage anyone to make the trip at least once, but I would suggest going with someone familiar with the area as it can be a bit unforgiving.

sand flea - 12-4-2013 at 08:41 PM

So lets try to organize a group gathering at Alvord in the Fall....

A month after SOBB would be nice.

So how about October 4,5,6 that Fri, Sat and Sunday?

Heliboy, would you help direct us to the correct location?

this could be incredible....
Who else would like to go?

revpaul - 13-4-2013 at 08:42 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by heliboy50
Actually, per the blm officer responsible for that area permits are required for groups of 12 or more, not free, 3 month lead time. There is an end around that some have used, personally I would rather stay in good graces with the folks who oversee it. Personally, I would encourage anyone to make the trip at least once, but I would suggest going with someone familiar with the area as it can be a bit unforgiving.

"personally I would rather stay in good graces with the folks who oversee it"
-I agree whole heartedly.
"area permits are required for groups of 12 or more"
-OK but how would the BLM know that 1,2,3, or up to 100 individual parties didn't just happen to show up at the same time and naturally 'gather' at the same location on the lake bed?
i got a permit for Ivanpah rather quickly and at no charge. i wonder what's different about Alvord (other than the sate being different of course)?

BeamerBob - 13-4-2013 at 09:51 AM

I'm already jockeying for a weekend I can go. Nothing has settled into place for me yet. As soon as I can get a weekend to rise to the surface, I will post up. If my weekend doesn't match up with the group, I'll just have to go when I can.

SCREWYFITS - 14-4-2013 at 01:58 AM

Shoooot... I just might have to come up and hang with the good ol folks up north, and see my good ol buddy Josh, I think I could probably swing that during that time of the year, depending on work and the staffing being full...
I'll keep an eye out for this...

Morrie Williams - 14-4-2013 at 10:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by heliboy50
Actually, per the blm officer responsible for that area permits are required for groups of 12 or more, not free, 3 month lead time. There is an end around that some have used, personally I would rather stay in good graces with the folks who oversee it. Personally, I would encourage anyone to make the trip at least once, but I would suggest going with someone familiar with the area as it can be a bit unforgiving.


Take a look at http://www.rainbowsendcam.com/nwbpa/nwbpa21.pdf the article titled "Winter Trek to the Alvord Desert". This was the first buggy trip to Alvord in fall of 1995.

In http://www.rainbowsendcam.com/nwbpa/nwbpa22.pdf there are detailed directions on page 3.

We've been going off and on since 1996. We originally called the BLM in Burns, OR for info. They had no clue as to conditions at any given time. In fact they told us the lake was covered with water. We called the Fields store and they said only a small portion had water on it.

We have NEVER had a BLM permit and there have been groups of land sailors and buggiers of atleast a dozen in many of those trips. On many trips there was a big encampment of dirt bike and quad riders at the springs above the lake surface. I guess the point is, is this a true "organized" event or a bunch of individuals that are camping near each other?

Here's a photo looking across the lake from the road. It doesn't give a full lake view, but you can get a little idea of the lakes expanse.