This is a lakeside hike on the east side of Saguaro Lake and is an excellent hike to take out of town guests who think Arizona is all desert. Dan and I were abaolutely stunned and disgusted at the trash and garbage we saw along the trail. We can not believe there are idiots who simply drag their trash along the trail with beer bottles and cans and have no respect at all for nature.

We started out at 5:30 AM from the trailhead clearly marked at the SW end of the parking lot at the end of the Butcher Jones road from the Bush highway. The first 1/3 mile is sidewalk and pavement as it goes to a large boat launch area and gate at Peregrine Point. From here on it is actual trail along the lake winding around its arms until you cross over the peninsula which is a short up and down jaunt. There are many great photo opportunities and excellent lake views. There is even a place where, through a canyon to the south, the Flatiron is framed from the Superstitions.

A nice variation that will add a mile or so and some climbing can be done when you come to the first u turn around a lake arm. The main trail goes to the right around the end of the arm but another faint trail goes to the left up a hill. You can climb to the top where you can look down on the parking lot and see the Four Peaks clearly.

Except for the horrible trash we saw, this is a wonderful trail that has trees, reeds, water, desert plants and beautiful flowering trees. Your friends from other states will not believe we are in the center of the Arizona desert (even though the lake is man made by Stewart Dam)
- Jun 13 2004 OhOh7

Tonto FS Reports  TRAIL INFORMATION Trail use: Moderate to heavy
Trail difficulty: 1st ¼ mi. Easiest, then More difficult Trail length: 2½ miles
Season of Use: All year USGS maps: Stewart Mountain, Mormon Flat Dam
Elevation change: 115 feet

LOCATION AND ACCESS This site is 31 miles northeast of Mesa. From Mesa, travel 27 miles north on State Highway 87 to Bush Highway/Forest Road 204 and turn right. Follow Bush Highway two miles to FR 166 and turn left. Follow FR 166 for two miles to the site. The entire route is a paved road.

TRAIL NARRATIVE
This trail was constructed for easier access to lakeshore locations where fishing habitats has been installed. The trail starts at the east side of Butcher Jones Beach and follows the contours of Saguaro Lake. The first ¼ mile has handrails and is paved to provide wheelchair access to fish at the Peregrine Point Fishing Dock. After Peregrine Point, the trail surface is natural and becomes more difficult. Continue through a pedestrian gate and follow the trail around Peregrine Cove. As the trail sweeps back to the southwest, there are several spur trails that lead to shoreline fishing opportunities. Camper Cove is the next fish habitat area that the trail passes. Heading east of Camper Cove the trail user comes next to Burro Cove. The return to Butcher Jones Recreation Site is along the same route.

BARRIER FREE ACCESSIBILITY •The first ¼ mile from Butcher Jones is paved with handrails to allow for a wide range of barrier-free accessible recreation opportunities. •Perrigine Point Fishing Dock angle may exceed 7 percent at times due to water-level fluctuations. •The trail from Butcher Jones to Peregrine Point is paved and has hand railing. The trail has an average slope of 8 percent but has short stretches of eleven percent slope). •Vault toilets (at Butcher Jones) are equipped with grab bars and may require some assistance.

CONSIDERATIONS •Please use trash receptacles: PACK IT IN, PACK IT OUT!•Carry an adequate supply of drinking water. One gallon per person/per day is recommended during hot periods. •Not recommended for any type of livestock •Day-use ONLY •The picnic and beach area fills rapidly in spring and summer months, so come early in the day to get a spot. •No motorized boats in the swimming area •Glass containers are prohibited in the Saguaro Lake Recreation Area. •Pets must be on least at all times, and are not allowed on the beach or wherever it is posted that animals are not allowed. •Alcohol, sun and water are a deadly combination •To avoid injury, wear shoes when wading in the lake. •No campfires on the beach •Pay attention to all signs and obey all the laws •No ATVs within the recreation site

NEAREST COMMERCIAL SERVICES •Saguaro Lake Marina: Full-service marina, fishing supplies, ice water and phones •Saguaro Lake Ranch Resort: Lodging, food and horse stables •Mesa: All services

ATTRACTIONS •The shoreline areas of Butcher Jones, Peregrine Cove, Camper Cove and Burro Cove have fish habitat installed to enhance fishing opportunities. •This trail was designed to provide access to shoreline and fishing dock opportunities. •This trail passes through parts of the spectacular Sonoran Desert. •Beautiful Mesquite Bosque provides a welcome shade. •Butcher Jones features a pleasant nature trail that is paved and has a handrail. •Adjacent to the picnic area is a gently sloping beach. •Nearby is a fully-accessible Peregrine Point fishing dock. •Access to four-wheel-drive trail. (Please keep gate closed to keep livestock out of recreation area).

RELATED INFORMATION SOURCES •Boating and Recreation Guide to Saguaro LakeDesert Charts. •For lake-level information, contact Salt River Project’s recorded message line: (602) 236-5929