Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Black Canyon Lake Kayak

when	Trip Report : August 25, 2021
where	Mogollon Rim
the kayak	This will be the first official Arizona Trailblazers kayaking trip on Black Canyon Lake, one of the more popular and accessible of the seven Rim Lakes on the Mogollon Rim. Black Canyon Lake is a beautiful canyon-bound lake, surrounded by a dense forest of Ponderosa pine, Douglas fir, oak, and aspen, providing plentiful shade around most of the lake’s perimeter.     Hopefully, we’ll spot some of the lake’s wildlife, mostly waterfowl, a few Bald Eagles and Ospreys, and perhaps even catch a glimpse of one or two herds of wild horses that are often seen running through the area and stopping at the lake for water. Black Canyon Lake is located within the Heber Wild Horse Territory.     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 continuing on and eventually paddling back to the launch ramp. Required: •  At least 2 liters of water •  Rain poncho •  Hat, sunblock, sunglasses Recommended: •  Lunch or snacks •  Camera
distance	4 to 5 miles
time	4 to 5 hours, depending on how many times we stop
EC	no elevation change
elevations	7,060 feet
type	Loop kayak around the lake.
starting at	Black Canyon Lake launch ramp and parking lot. 34° 19'50" N,  110° 42'1" W
rating	"C"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs allowed	no
cost	No fees for lake use. 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 Black Canyon Lake launch ramp & parking area.
drive	•  Take the Beeline Highway (Arizona 87) north to Payson. • From Payson drive east on Highway 260 past Kohls Ranch to where the road tops out on the Mogollon Rim and where the road grade levels off. • Continue driving east on Highway 260 past the turnoffs for Woods Canyon and Willow Springs Lake and into the Forest Lakes area. Continue driving past the Forest Lakes General Store and the Rim Resort, still on Highway 260. • About 1.5 miles past the Rim Resort watch for Forest Road 300 (Rim Road), located 13 miles west of the town of Heber. • Turn right (south) on FR 300 and drive for 2.4 miles to Forest Road 86. • Turn left (northeast) on FR 86 (Black Canyon Road) and drive past the Black Canyon Rim Campground for another 3 miles to the Black Canyon Lake turnoff. • Drive for another 1,000 feet and park in the large parking area adjacent to the launch ramp. Restrooms are located nearby. • See Map.

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updated August 29, 2021	© Copyright 2021, Arizona Trailblazers.  All rights reserved.