Adventures from Arizona to Alberta
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Tonto National Forest
There are still so many places in this great state to explore. Even after 30 years, it often seems Dave and I have only touched the surface.
Take, for example, Butcher Jones Recreation Site. Known for its lovely beach—tucked within the towering canyon walls of Saguaro Lake—it is an ideal spot for picnicking, kayaking, fishing, and paddleboarding. Unfortunately, the site can also be very crowded—a significant deterrent for most. Getting there early in the day is the key.
Nestled within the Mazatzal mountains lies a lovely little hike that traverses along a rustic creek and an old ranch road to some ancient-looking water tanks. After reading about this hike in the Arizona Republic, Dave and I became intrigued. We’d driven the Beeline Highway between Mesa and Payson many times but never pulled off to discover what lay beyond it.
Timing combined with a whole lot of luck. When that happens, it’s a beautiful thing to behold. On this particular hike, I believe the experience would not have been nearly as spectacular.
