Monday, February 18. Heading to Apache Lake Resort

Today was planned with a shorter, easier hike, to give our tired feet a chance to recover and also because of the fairly long drive.  However, our guides altered the hiking schedule because of the prediction of wet and windy weather on Wednesday.  We drove east on US 60, and then in Apache Junction we turned north on the Apache Trail.  We stopped briefly at the visitor center at the Lost Dutchman State Park so that we could buy maps, postcards, or t-shirts.  Our group then split into two parts, with Michael’s van parking a few miles farther at the First Water Trailhead and Mike’s van continuing to Canyon Lake.  As Mike explained our hike, this would be the “Key Pass” hike, with the two groups hiking the trail in opposite directions and exchanging van keys at the half way point.  We were in Mike’s van so we headed northeast past Tortilla Flat.  Soon the paved surface turned to a very rutted dirt road.  The dirt road continues for about 30 miles, winding its way to the Roosevelt Dam and passing Apache Lake Resort at about the halfway point.  We were very glad to have experienced drivers on this historic road.  Our van parked at Canyon Lake and started hiking up the Boulder Canyon Trail.  As we climbed up into the hills, we immediately had amazing views of Canyon Lake and the very rocky canyons and valleys.  After a long uphill climb we reached the ridge and had views of Weaver’s needle in the distance.  We met Michael’s group (and exchanged van keys) just after we rocked hopped across La Barge Creek and before our lunch stop.  We had lunch in a scenic spot near a creek.  Our lunches were packed each day at the local grocery store and included a large sandwich, chips, fruit and desert – definitely enough food to give us energy for finishing our hike.  During the rest stop, Mike demonstrated his skill of bandaging blistered toes with the skillful use of duct tape.  After lunch we turned onto the Second Water Trail.  We climbed out of the creek area and entered a beautiful flat section named the “Garden Valley.”  The numerous Cholla cactus trees made this section appear almost like a fruit orchard and provided a welcome contrast to the rocky sections of the trail.  Our long hike ended at the First Water Trailhead, and we drove the remaining 15 miles of rough road to Apache Lake.  Dinner was delayed until 6:30 so that we could all have a chance to check into our rooms and clean up at least a little bit. 

Hiking above Canyon Lake.

Rock cairns help mark the trail.

Weaver's Needle in the distance.

The Garden Valley

Calling Apache Lake a “resort” is probably a stretch, but the motel type rooms were reasonably clean, large, and comfortable, with balconies overlooking the beautiful lake.  We ate breakfasts and dinners in the resort restaurant, and they also packed us a substantial sack lunch for the next two days.  Another advantage of the location is the bar where we enjoyed gathering before dinner.  Tonight’s satisfactory dinner was a salad, followed by pork chops with potatoes and veggies, plus desert.  No evening program so that we could unpack and get our tired bodies to bed a little earlier.

View of Apache Lake at sunrise from our patio.