Trailblazers Enjoying potluck dinner. {photo by Yanis}

Norma, Chuck, Ron, Barbara, Eva, Scott, Deirdre, Wayne.

Shady shoreline campsites, kayaking under the stars, kayaking without motorboats, watching herons from camp, campfires, sun ovens, cliff dwelling, good food and company made this a memorable relaxing trip. We saw blue herons, snowy egrets, cormorants, sea gulls, ducks, ravens, bald eagle, coyotes, javalina, a deer and squirrels. In between kayaks some passed the time playing cards or corn hole, exploring, fishing, jumping in the lake… Certainly will return to Burnt Corral Campground and Apache Lake in the future.

Chuck in true unplugged relaxation. {photo by Norma}

Pretty kayakson campsite shore. {photo by Yanis}

Sunday was our arrival day, as most set up camp Barbara and Norma braved the 90’ temperature to tour the Tonto National Monument Lower Dwellings. The Upper Dwellings were still closed due to monsoon damage. The trail was steep but afforded great views of Roosevelt Lake and the surrounding cliff side with multiple small dwellings visible. A Docent explained the multistory room layout, how it was built in the alcove to be shady in the summer while protected in the winter. The displays showed artistic pottery and fabric weaving with intricate designs.

Tonto lower cliff dwelling. {photo by Barbara}

High view from Vineyard Trail hike. {photo by Ron}

After setting up camp, eight Trailblazers readied their kayaks for a sunset and night paddle. Variety of colorful lanterns, bicycle lights, glow sticks on kayaks and kayakers with even lights glowing through the hulls made for a festive regatta. Christmas lights were placed on chairs at lakeshore to find our campsites on return. Group kayaked West as dusk turned to night and total darkness and stillness. We had the lake all to ourselves, not another boater in sight. Turning around after an hour we headed East and slowly paddled through the darkness staying close together. We started seeing campfires and the boat ramp streetlight coming closer to guide us. Bright headlamps broke the darkness as we came ashore. Afterwards the group enjoyed a campfire, roasting hot dogs and marshmallows with desserts. A javalina pack routed through the dumpster area and then to the boat ramp grass area this evening.

Kayaking into the dusk. {photo by Barbara}

Enjoying magic flames campfire. {photo by Eva}

Monday morning 10 Trailblazers readied kayaks for a 10 mile paddle up the Salt River to the Roosevelt Dam. It’s so much easier launching from our campsites than having to drive to the launch and back each day. With temperatures forecast near 90’ the slight breeze was welcome as we started about 9 am, but it turned into a strong headwind as we progressed. Today again saw only a few fishing boats. Group stopped to allow those in the back to catch up while admiring the original stonework of the Apache Trail cliffside roadbed. Pulled into Three Mile Wash for lunch to find it was damaged in recent floods and construction crews repairing the Apache Trail were using it. Shade trees and toilets were a welcome sight for lunch though. Three turned back at this point. As we progressed close to the dam helicopters were shuttling gear on long lines dangling beneath them to the construction crews, right over our heads. We arrived at the dam and after taking photographs and resting for a few minutes the group began paddling downstream lazily as there was no wind. Stopped for break at a beach with trees leading up into a canyon, full of small bleached freshwater shells. Signage reminded us this was a flash flood zone. We proceeded on down the river to our campsites arriving around 3:30 pm. That evening was the traditional potluck followed by a campfire. Barbara showed her mastery of the solar oven, while others used the Coleman stove, and Deirdre’s RV freezer quick cooled the drinks. Unusual heat took its toll on our ice supply it seems.

Helicopter flying overhead near dam by Eva. {photo by Eva}

Kayaking up the Salt River. {photo by Norma}

Lunch at Three Mile Wash, Salt Rive. {photo by Norma}

Tuesday was the open day, a rest from our long days kayak to enjoy the peace of our shady campsites. Deirdre, Ron and Yanis braved the warm temperatures and hiked the Vineyard Trail, a 1500’ steep ascent with great views of Roosevelt Lake. Scott scouted trailheads, Eva and Barbara jumped into the lake, Bert and Wayne helped put a rudder on Norma’s kayak, others enjoyed a nap, bird watched from our shoreline while a fishing line or two may have been cast. Dinner continued the potluck, campfire and few more s’mores and roasted marshmallows looking up at the stars finished this relaxing day. A javalina pack trapsed through the campground this evening.

We made it to the dam! {photo by Yanis}

Setting up our lakeside potluck. {photo by Yanis}

Roosevelt Lake fron Vineyard hike. {photo by Ron}

Wednesday was cooler as seven Trailblazers began a ten mile paddle into Apache Lake to the marina. Lake surface was mirror calm with no wind and again no other boats. We lazily paddled some exploring the Northshore reed beds for birds. We attempted to take morning break on the island but deemed the embankments too steep to land. Instead we found a lakeshore shallow beach to take a morning break. Two turned around here. As the group continued the kayaking was easy until we turned the last corner to the marina when wind gusts created whitecaps making headway difficult. Past the marina seawall the group made their way to shore being battered by the waves. Finding a picnic table we enjoyed lunch, took photographs and explored the marina area not yet fully open for the season it seems. After lunch we carried our kayaks to a more sheltered launch site and headed home. After turning that same corner the winds once again calmed down, making for an easier trip back. We arrived back at camp around 4 pm.

Preparing to launch from campsite. {photo by Scott}

Apache Lake was a mirror. {photo by Eva}

Group paddling into Apache Lake. {photo by Scott} Wayne, Ron, Norma, Chuck, Yanis, Deirdre, Eva

This evening no potluck but more roasting hot dogs and marshmallows over the campfire and finishing off the last of the desserts. Coyotes serenaded us late night as the pack moved through the campground.
Thursday morning we packed up and headed home. We definitely need to do this trip in the future.