Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Willow Springs Lake Kayak

when	Trip Report : July 21, 2021
where	Mogollon Rim
the kayak	This will be the first official Arizona Trailblazers kayaking trip on Willow Springs Lake, one of the most popular and accessible of the seven Rim Lakes on the Mogollon Rim. Willow Springs Lake is a beautiful canyon-bound lake, surrounded by a dense forest of Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, oak, and aspen, providing plentiful shade all around the lake’s perimeter.     Hopefully, we will spot some of the lake’s wildlife, mostly waterfowl, and perhaps catch a glimpse of the bald eagles and ospreys that have been nesting next to the lake’s shoreline for years.     From the launch ramp, we’ll start paddling clockwise around the lake, checking out some of the coves and inlets all around the lake. At some point we’ll beach our kayaks at a suitable site and get out for a lunch and rest break in the shade, before paddling back to the launch ramp. Required: •  At least 2 liters of water •  Rain poncho •  Hat, sunblock, sunglasses Recommended: •  Lunch or snacks •  Camera
distance	about 5 miles
time	4-5 hours, depending on how many times we stop
EC	no elevation change
elevation	7,513 feet
type	loop
starting at	Main launch ramp.
rating	"C"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs allowed	no
cost	Sharing gas expenses with the driver. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
weather	Heber
meet	9:00 AM at the launch ramp at the end of the main road.
drive	•  Take the Beeline Highway (Arizona 87) north to Payson. • From Payson drive east on State Route 260 past Kohls Ranch to where the road tops out on the Mogollon Rim. • Watch for the turnoff to Woods Canyon Lake and Forest Road 300 and drive another 0.8 miles past that to the next left turn. There is a small sign on the right side of the road that reads “Willow Springs Lake”, but it’s directly opposite the turnoff and the turn is very easy to miss. If you go a mile or more past the Woods Canyon Lake turnoff, turn around and go back. • Drive one mile to the end of the road and the launch ramp and parking lot. • Park in the large lot adjacent to the launch ramp. Restrooms are located nearby.

Schedule of Events	Arizona Trailblazers Home Page
updated July 23, 2021	© Copyright 2021, Arizona Trailblazers.  All rights reserved.