The Beginning of Hiking Season

Although the temps have been in the 80s since we arrived, enough seasoned hikers and new folks interested in hiking have been in the resort ready to hike. Thus hikes have been scheduled and folks have walked in the nearby mountains and desert. 

I did not go along on any of these hikes because...
1. It is too warm.
2. I have been there before, more than once.
3. My ankle has been bothersome.
4. I liked the alone time.

So all the photos in this post are hubbys. I have linked each hike to the same hike from another season. You can compare photos and the scenery, especially if you were not a blog follower the last few years.


Apache Lake Road
This was the first hike of this season. Probably not our best choice of destination as it is a 5.5 mile round trip. It is 2.25 miles down to the lake and 7 miles back up, at least that is what it seems like when it is hot, you are a newbie AZ hiker, and it is 80 degrees. Some of the hikers needed rides back to the top. This is one of the few hikes in which that can be done without the help of emergency vehicles. It won't be first on the list next year!

 Most of the hiking group last Wednesday

 Unusual rock formation

 Someone on the hike told hubby these two markers

are from the death of two teachers who taught at a school

near the dam when it was being built in 1924-1927. The school was for the

children of the workers living in the community at Apache Lake.

Don't know if it is accurate or not. The markers are a good reminder 

about driving safely in the mountains.

 The hikers commented on the amount of traffic on the road

and the patrol helicopter in the air above the road.

Another interesting formation

No bighorn sheep sightings this trip!

Butcher Jones Trail at Saguaro Lake

This is a 5 mile round trip hike with very little elevation gain around a lake so it is scenic and 'easier' for beginner AZ hikers in warmish temps. Saguaro Lake is the fourth lake in the SALT river project which provides hydro-power to much of central AZ. The dam was completed in 1930 and is farther downstream from Apache Lake & Dam. I like this hike, but not in 80º.

 Beautiful, bright, clear water

 Most of last Friday's hikers

 This view is never disappointing.

Chino's first hike & swim of the season.

February 4, 2011 and/or November 2010  I posted about the lake & view, the people I saw that day & the birds I encountered; each a separate post from Saguaro Lake.

Hieroglyphics Trail  (photos from Kari's hike in February 2010)

I have not hiked this trail since winter 2007. Now it is not a trail friendly for my broken ankle. This trail is also misnamed. The markings at the end of the trail are petroglyphs, symbols etched in the rocks by the natives living in this area. I have read that some of the etchings can be dated to more recent visitors, which is too bad. It is still a very pretty hike with an unusual reward at the end of the trail. (See Kari's photos for petroglyphs) This hike is 3 miles with 600' elevation gain. 

 The Superstition Mts. are part of the Tonto National Forest

 Saguaros and palo verdes

 Some of Wednesday's hikers

A view of Apache Junction