Kayaking at Canyon Lake - Arizona

Apache Junction, Arizona

Lost Dutchman State Park

It's always good to be back in the Superstition Mountains.  We look forward to our time here each year!  There is so much hiking, kayaking and exploring to do.

Kayaking on Canyon Lake this weekend is the plan!

 Lost Dutchman State Park - W/50a/Dump, $35, #100

The Superstition Mountains as our backyard!  Flatiron in the middle.

Sunset is particularly pretty as the setting sun's rays light up the mountains and turn them orange.

My first hike is usually Jacob's Crosscut to get used to some elevation.  This short hike takes you, left across the flank of the Supes.  Right will take you up Siphon Draw to Flatiron.  That'll come later.

If you take Treasure Loop you'll be right across the top part.  A bit steeper.

This view gives you an idea how steep it is. It may not look that bad, but it sure is a good workout.

The flowers are beginning to peak.  Looks like we got lucky and timed it perfectly this year!

The Poppies are poppin' out too.

This next two weeks we'll be enjoying sunsets and campfires.  We have some friends joining us in a few days.  It will be their first time here.  They are thinking of joining me up Flatiron.

The weather has been great.  Sunny and warm.  Saturday we headed up to Canyon Lake for some kayaking.  We usually paddle back up to First Water Creek which is has beautiful steep canyon walls.  Unfortunately it's a short paddle.  This time we wanted to try paddling up La Barge Creek which is longer but more open.

I do love how the cactus grow right down to the water.

We buy the $8 Tonto National Day Use Park Pass at Tortilla Flat and then put-in just east of the marina.  It's an easy paddle past the campground and marina into the creek area.  Found some neat things like this small tunnel in the rock walls.

It was a nice paddle but we came to the end sooner than we hoped.  Steve suggested we take the arm up to Tortilla Creek next.  I was glad we did because that section turned out to be our new favorite.

Another cave over here.

A strange symbol painted on one of the rocks up on the wall.  Not sure what it is or what it means.  It sure couldn't have been easy getting up there either.

This area was the most popular too with many more people out.  Everyone just enjoying the sun.

 

Paddling under the bridge of Hwy 88 by the marina.

What we call, Skull Rock with a heart in the eye socket.  But we also see an elephant.

The canyon walls around Canyon Lake.

The later part of the day and the lighting made for some great reflections back in this part of the lake.

It was just gorgeous!

We love getting on the water here.  So refreshing.  Anytime we can put the kayak in while we're in the Arizona desert, is a good time.