Early Season Camp and Paddle at Cliff Lake

Two day, two night paddling and camping event at Cliff Point Campground at Cliff Lake, south of Ennis, MT. Staying the nights of Friday and Saturday, leaving by 10am Sunday morning.

Participation is limited due to space - probably a maximum of 12 participants. Darla has reserved 3 of the 5 reserve-able campsites. Each campsite can probably squeeze in two vehicles.

Your leaders really know this area. Cliff Lake was an early event when our MeetUp group started in 2015. Cliff Lake (upper) and Wade Lake (lower) are maybe one mile apart in an ancient fault zone. Steve first paddled Wade lake in about 1984. Darla and also Ruth may have been there before that.

Cliff Lake is beautiful, relatively large and has clear water. After about 30 to 45 minutes of paddling you may come to a sandy bottom under about 3 feet of clear water and you might see schools of large trout. You might not be the only one looking at trout; bald eagles and osprey often visit this lake. In another half hour you can arrive at a large island after which the lake splits into 3 fingers. Plenty of lake to explore.

Notes:
(a) Weather: The lake is at 6,300' elevation and this is early in the season so nights can be quite cold. Bring a rain jacket that can serve as a windbreaker and plan on layers. One day last year we had afternoon wind but otherwise nice calm water.
(b) Roads are rutted gravel with cattle gates and and a few sharp turns as you cross the ridge and drop down to the lakes. In 2023 we just needed to navigate some large potholes and go through a few snow patches. Some road work was done later last summer.

Here's a video showing campsites:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bbtw9FffXRQ
See also on our site All Events then hit Past Events and scroll down to photos of our past Cliff Lake paddling trips.

Take the time to acquaint yourself with the location and directions to the lake.

Meal Plan: We will try to keep things simple. Darla intends to bring her small kitchen trailer, containing a propane stove and supplies.
More details later, but the thought is to provide hot water and coffee in the morning with people bringing their own food for breakfast (instant oatmeal etc.) and something for noon snacks while paddling. For the two evening meals, the tentative plan is that Darla will cook some type of hot main item with other attendees contributing side dishes. BYOB

Parking is limited in this tiny campsite. Last year 2 people slept in tents; others in camper van, etc. Bringing a trailer 16' or longer is problematic, a padlocked boat trailer might be left at the main boat launch site - a short paddle away. Participants might want to bring a tarp and cords, etc. just in case it would be good to have a windbreak.

Advance deposit in the amount of $40.00 for two days is required
PAYPAL: Send to kongopongo@gmail.com
CHECK: Send check, payable to Steve Hample, to Steve Hample 49 East Hodgeman Road, Bozeman, MT 59718.

Leaders of your Bozeman Paddling group made reservations months in advance using their own credit cards: the participation fee is a way to reimburse them. If you cancel a reservation by May 10 we might be able to get a partial refund from Recreation.gov and could pass along about $25. I.e., you risk only $15.