Route Editor
Route Scout
Wow – this is a huge campground. Something like 365 campsites. But most are for boaters. The boat launch areas are huge. Bigger than WalMart Parking Lots. Here is what Hazzards to know. Coati Loop Is a mixed use campground for RV and tents. Coati has great tent campsites out on Peninsulas. This is where we stayed. It is the first right as you enter the campground. Mule Deer Loop is an all tent campsite. It is on a nice ridge but is away from the lake. It was closed so I could not scout it. I liked Coati campsites 8, 9 &10 but they are too far from the restrooms. I chose Coati campsite 20. I chose 18 & 19 for my friends. Great lake views and close to the restrooms. We heard boats out on the lake at night. We heard coyotes during the night. My friends in campground 19 camplained about my “growling” (snoring was not an appropriate description). You need a Tonto National Forest Fee permit in your window and need to pay a $6 per night campsite fee to the Camp Host. If you smart ass the camp site host, I think the campsite fee goes up to a franklin per night. (just kidding - be nice) Check out the Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your car camp trip to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Windy Hill Campground
Unique weekend with the Temple Chai Mens' Club for Lag B'Omer and a מְדוּרָה at Windy Hill Campground. They wanted a hike so I chose this one from Superstition Wilderness Trails East by Carlson & Stewart page 102, We went first to the Roosevelt Lake Cemetery. Then up to Thompson Trail 121. The trail has some nice up and down - mostly up - with scree. At a pass about 1/2 way into the hike you can see the bridge. One hiker turned back to go to the Visitor Center and meet us later. From the pass you have a steep downhill. Great views. You hit a small clearing with a stock tank. Then a small uphill for great views of the Bridge. Then downhill to the metal gate. Two of our remaining 6 hikers seemed to be struggling, so instead of going back by the trail we crossed the road on AZ 88 and hiked the road back to the Visitor Center. Not much traffic today. I would have preferred going back on the trail but discretion is the better part of valor. Got everyone home safe & sound and not much worse for wear. My ego suffered a little bruise - I was looking back and checking on visuals on everyone when I was gravitationally challenged.
Lots of cacti flowering and lots of wildflowers today so my rating will probably be higher than most.
Lots of cacti flowering and lots of wildflowers today so my rating will probably be higher than most.
2013-04-27 Al_HikesAZ
Windy Hill Campground
I was at a camping outing for the Temple Chai Mens' Club at Windy Hill Campground for Lag B'Omer. They wanted some hikes. I chose this hike for the older, less fit men from Superstition Wilderness Trails East by Carlson & Stewart page 100. The Trailhead is just across Highway 88 from the Roosevelt Lake Visitors' Center. Enter the Lakeview Trailer Park and take first right within about 100' of the highway. The cacti and some wildflowers were blooming. We found the gravesite of Moses - Moses Murphy that is. Not really a hike but interesting and fun. It is on the way from the TH to the Thompson Trail #121 (Superstition Wilderness Trails East) page 102
I am tired and sore as I write this so bear with me if I have to come back and edit it. #TGFM&Ms - thank God for M&Ms (Motrin & Move Free).
I am tired and sore as I write this so bear with me if I have to come back and edit it. #TGFM&Ms - thank God for M&Ms (Motrin & Move Free).
2013-04-27 Al_HikesAZ
Windy Hill Campground
From Campsite 20 I followed the trail to a nice bench facing east where you can watch the sunrise if you wake up it odark30 (I was a little late). Then down some "stairs". I walked out through reeds to the lake. Saw some areas in the reeds where mule deer must have bedded down. Either mule deer or some really large redneck beer drinkers. Touched the Roosevelt Lake Water and headed back up to wake my fellow campers #slackers
2013-04-27 Al_HikesAZ
Windy Hill Campground
I had a unique opportunity so I took it. The Temple Chai Mens' Club was having a camping trip to Windy Hill campground for Lag B'Omer with our Rabbi Jake Singer-Beilin. I called and got a spot on the hike to the Upper Campgrounds. Ranger Janet Lemon really grilled me to see if I could hike 3 1/2 miles and 750' AEG - glad I could still pass the interrogation.
Arrived at 0930 and checked in. Went to the Ramada and waited. Seven people in our group - a Dad, Mom and two teenage girls from Highland HS and a mid-70's couple from Liverpool. You could sort of tell they were European by their polished leather hiking boots. We waited for some no shows and departed at 1010. Led by Volunteer "Ranger" Wil Moore from Mesa. I asked and he is not related to Les Moore from Tombstone. Tomorrow is the last hike of the season. They close it down for summer. Wil stopped often to explain history and botany. We had a nice give and take and I learned a few things. I love a hike when I learn something. I can now tell a male jojoba plant from a female jojoba plant.
The cliff dwellings are well preserved. Great to have details pointed out and explained.
Wil told me that around St. Patrick's day the Monument has an "Open hike" day. For that weekend you can hike in anytime from park opening to closing without the guided tour. And he told me that there are special "photography" tours run by a professional photographer at various times during the season for a nominal $3 per person fee.
After the Upper hike I went to the lower Cliff Dwellings. The Lower Hike is actually more cardio - or maybe I pushed it harder.
After the Lower Ruins I went to Windy Hill campground to scout and secure a spot for our Mens' Group camping trip.
Arrived at 0930 and checked in. Went to the Ramada and waited. Seven people in our group - a Dad, Mom and two teenage girls from Highland HS and a mid-70's couple from Liverpool. You could sort of tell they were European by their polished leather hiking boots. We waited for some no shows and departed at 1010. Led by Volunteer "Ranger" Wil Moore from Mesa. I asked and he is not related to Les Moore from Tombstone. Tomorrow is the last hike of the season. They close it down for summer. Wil stopped often to explain history and botany. We had a nice give and take and I learned a few things. I love a hike when I learn something. I can now tell a male jojoba plant from a female jojoba plant.
The cliff dwellings are well preserved. Great to have details pointed out and explained.
Wil told me that around St. Patrick's day the Monument has an "Open hike" day. For that weekend you can hike in anytime from park opening to closing without the guided tour. And he told me that there are special "photography" tours run by a professional photographer at various times during the season for a nominal $3 per person fee.
After the Upper hike I went to the lower Cliff Dwellings. The Lower Hike is actually more cardio - or maybe I pushed it harder.
After the Lower Ruins I went to Windy Hill campground to scout and secure a spot for our Mens' Group camping trip.
2013-04-26 Al_HikesAZ
