Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Saguaro Lake Kayaking Day Trip

when	December 16, 2024 Monday
	Trip Report : March 11, 2024
	Trip Report : November 28, 2023
	Trip Report : March 16, 2023
	Trip Report : November 15, 2022
	Trip Report : December 21, 2021
	Trip Report : February 10, 2021
where	Saguaro Lake, Butcher Jones Beach
the kayak	We will meet at Butcher Jones Beach, reached from Bush Highway (driving directions below), and launch our kayaks off the beach. From there we’ll start paddling clockwise around the lake, keeping close to the shoreline.     We’ll first explore Willow Springs Canyon, a scenic little side canyon we discovered on a recent kayaking trip to Saguaro Lake.     Ship Rock, 2.5 miles from Butcher Jones, will be our next goal for the day. We’ll then paddle for another mile or so beyond here and look for a wide sand and gravel take-out point where we’ll pull into shore for a lunch break around 11:30 or so.     Please be advised that we may have to postpone this trip due to unfavorable weather conditions, especially high winds on the lake. Required: •  Life Jacket •  At least 2 liters of water •  Rain poncho •  Hat, sunblock, sunglasses Recommended: •  Lunch or snacks •  Camera
distance	6 - 8 miles of kayaking.
time	4 to 5 hours, with rest breaks, lunch stop, and photo ops.
EC	none
elevations	1,506 feet.
type	round trip
starting at	Butcher Jones Beach
rating	"C"     Rate yourself as a Kayaker.
dogs allowed	no
cost	You will need either a Tonto Pass or a Senior Pass or a National Parks Pass and the America the Beautiful Pass to park in the Butcher Jones lot. Be sure to display your pass on a hang tag or place it on your dashboard. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
weather	Apache Junction
leader	You must email the leader to confirm.
meet	9:00 AM at Butcher Jones Beach parking lot.
drive	•  Take Highway 87 (Beeline Hwy) north to Bush Highway. Note Power road in Mesa becomes Bush Highway, so you can also come from the south. • Turn right onto Bush Highway and drive 3 miles to FR166 (Butcher Jones turnoff). • Turn left on FR166 and drive another 2 miles to the large parking area. • Park as close as possible to the beach to minimize carrying your kayak. • Look for the 5-minute unloading zone on the right side of the road, where we can unload our kayaks and gear and drop them off right next to the road. From there we’ll carry the kayaks to the beach. • Restrooms are located nearby.

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updated December 2, 2024	© Copyright 2024, Arizona Trailblazers.  All rights reserved.