We put in at the one over north of the campsites 2 weeks ago. Due to an issue of our own problem, we backed in a little bit too far and dropped off/hung up on the trailer frame. That wasn't fun but luckily we had 3 people who could get in the water and lift the trailer up. I figure if you keep the wheels about even with the end of that metal ladder on the courtesy dock it should be OK but was wondering about the other ramp over by the dining hall? One big drawback for a person launching by their self at the north campsite ramp is that there's not a good place to tie up your boat and it's not very convenient for beaching either. The rocky shore just right next to the ramp is deep enough to beach but your keel gets the rock treatment there and only enough space for one boat. As soon as you get clear of the rocks to the south, it's too shallow to beach normally, and you have to get out and wade the last bit. Whch is OK I guess, just a little inconvenient. Wondering about that other ramp over by the dining hall and what kind of shape it's in with the low water??

I had no problem with the ramp by the dining hall you just have to be careful.

OK TFF,here's my 1st post and I'm not trying to be a smart_ _ _. I'm also interested and I've been seeing this answer of "Just be careful". If you're by yourself, how do you know when to stop/be careful before it's too late?

O K The dock next to the ramp has an arrow pointing out the location of the end of the ramp. DO NOT let your trailer wheels go beyond that point unless you want to get wet.

That's exactly what I needed to know, because I'm not crazy about getting wet and/or taking up a ramp. Did you happen to notice about where the arrow was your last time out? Do you think I would have any trouble launching a tandem axle in a couple of weeks? Thanks

If you go to the second ramp don't back the trailer past the end of the courtesy dock or your wheels will be off the concrete.

I launch a tandem 196 regularly from the south ramp (dining hall ramp), but I am very careful and possibly my trailer rigging gives me an advantage, or maybe not. It is a TI trailer with a walking beam between the front and back spring bracket. I back the trailer down slowly and drop the back wheels off the concrete edge, that is enough to float the boat off the trailer without using the engine. There is a sign on the dock that marks that concrete edge. I have done this for more than two years, very regularly.

With the walking beam when I reload the boat my truck has enough torque to pull the back wheels back up on the concrete. Some weeks ago on my way home an 11 year old tire decapped, and I did lose my carpeted inside board on that side. That lost board was attributed to the tire cap flailing around inside the fender.

While all the loading weight is squatted down on that first axle I think my front wheels are rubbing the inside of that board. I see now my other side board has become detached at one or more screw positions. Could be rotted wood, they were/are my second set of boards on a eleven year old trailer, first set went in about 4-5 years, so it is about time.

FYI to all I continue to measure a top on the berm behind the south ramp at only 1.8 ft below my inside transducer. the lake is up slightly. This past Sunday I did see a very quick peak of only 1.3ft, which was probably a rock sitting on top of the berm. The boat did not scrape as I past this item.

To reload the key for me is to line up on the trailer outside of the dock corner, set up a slow forward rate, trim up and glide over the berm into the blow hole at the bottom of the concrete ramp. The berm ridge is just a few feet inside the corner of the dock.

I've only been a reader on TFF for a couple of years, but I've seen several remarks on how helpful this forum can be.....and it's true. Thanks to all that replied, because at today's gas prices, a 2 hour drive with a 4x4=$$$$!! wasted.

We launched Friday at the north ramp and the water was sort of clear to where you could see the end of the ramp and the drop off. When we went back Saturday to launch someone had finally had the grand idea to mark the corners with two nice pieces of PVC pipe complete with reflector tape wrapped around the top ends. That should really help folks tell just exactly where the drop off is and hopefully keep people from getting in trouble. Not sure how long they will last but it will be real handy till they get knocked down.

Thank the park staff for putting up those PVC pipes. Tell Mike Klienert, the Park Manager, thanks when you see him, he is often operating the park patrol boat these days.

Mike had me going Saturday, I was almost sure those poles went in after I put in at first light, and they were.

Don,me and old buddy from Shreveport were checked by Mike 2 weeks ago.I was taking my 2 nephews bream fishing for their 1st time and my buddy had his wife.We both agreed that Mike was a top notch guy, because some patrols come across hard.He told me where to try for bream & was very considerate.I will definately let him know I appreciate it,..... if you check out my previous posts.

I've launched at both ramps in the past week and both are fine if you don't back off of them when loading. I've seen lots of humorous and tragic events at these ramps when the lake is low. Axles pulled out, spring hangers damaged, tires off of rims, axles bent, and etc.

Thanks again for the skid plate idea Jackie makes launching my 24ft toon easy, have to drop it off the end of ramps to get it off and on. Best 20 bucks I ever spent.