Chevelon Lake

[mcontreras]

We are going on a camping trip up to the Woods Canyon Lake area and we wanted to take a side trip up to Chevelon Lake. My question is: Is there a trial that goes down to the lake?" The last time I was there, I think I was about 7 years old and even at that age, I remembered how beautiful it was. I also hear there is great fishing down there.

[hikeaz]

There is a trail that heads from FR180 down to the southern end of the lake. It's a steep 3/4 mile hike. The T/H is at about 34 28 52 by 110 49 49.

[chumley]

There is an old road that descends to the dam from the primitive campground on the west side. The road is closed to vehicles over 40" (quads are ok). It's a rocky, steep hike, about a mile long, and 1000 feet elevation change. It's certainly beautiful when you get down there, but the hike back up is not fun (maybe that's because I usually have a couple of beers when relaxing by the lake?).

There's another access point at the upstream (south) end of the lake which is actually a hiking trail that switchbacks down the canyon amongst the pines. This is a much more pleasant hike, but the road to get there is much more difficult and I don't think that this end of the lake is as scenic as the north end. In past years, many anglers carried canoes and boats down and locked them to trees here. I think two years ago, the FS removed all the boats and people had to recover them at the Blue Ridge Ranger Station and pay a fine for abandoning their boats on forest land.

Of course, I love the fact that the access takes some work. It does make it a much more pleasant visit. I've been there on many summer weekends and not seen another person.

[mcontreras]

I really wanted to go by the dam area, but not sure how that road is. It says 4x4 on the topo map. We do have a 4x4, but just stock Yukon XL. Since we have 3 children (14, 6 and 4) I thought this might be a great area for them so that they can bait fish below the dam. I know the lake is only artificial lure and fly. Our 4 year old is happy with just a bobber on his fishing pole.

Dose anyone know the condition of FR180? I get slight panick/anxiety attacks if the road gets too crazy.

[te_wa]

there is a spur road that leads to some good campsites and just after that area the road becomes very steep and rocky with ledges. 4x4 can do it. There is a large metal gate (locked) that keeps vehicles out and for good reason. For most, that would be the point of no return. The spur road is about 1/2 mile from the water.
if you really feel froggy, you can start your day at the Woods Canyon Lake dam and hike downstream all the way to Chevelon. That looks like a good long weekend trip. Im eyeing that one for this summer.

[mcontreras]

Is this FR180? I guess I am not sure what a spur road is....

[Grasshopper]

I get slight panick/anxiety attacks if the road gets too crazy.

Just count on your "hubby" to know what to do..we guys always know what to do on 4x4 roads!!

[mcontreras]

He just rolls his eyes at me when I offer to get out and walk. He does know how to drive on these roads, although he already put a dent on our Yukon when he went down this shelf and it slid slightly into a large tree branch. No big deal, but if it was me driving and I had done that, :stretch: :bdh:. the last smily, I am actually the horse being beaten. ;)

[mcontreras]

I think I am confused. The Dam is to the north of the lake? If it creek that feeds it flows south, then why is the dam to the north??? Wouldn't the dam be south?? I don't get it.

Someone please set me straight on this.....Thank you!!

[joebartels]

The rim is like a wedge. It flows away from the edge down towards Joseph City.

[mcontreras]

I got it. Thanks Joe!

[chumley]

FR180 accesses the south (upstream) end of the lake, and is a rough road but should be accessible by any high-clearance vehicle.

FR169 is the main road which parallels Chevelon Canyon on the west side, and FR169B is the road which leads to the north end of the lake (dam). FR169 is graded and in good shape even for a sedan. FR169B is rougher and probably requires a high-clearance vehicle. There's nothing hairy here, just not a regularly maintained road, so rocks and ruts make some spots tough if you don't have clearance.

169B ends at the gate in the picture above, at which point only vehicles 50" wide or less can pass. Under the new travel management plan, ASNF has designated this portion of the road as "Trail 611".

[mcontreras]

Chumley - Thanks for the information and it clarifies so much. We will have a great time!!!

[PaleoRob]

Anyone been into the lower parts of Chevelon Canyon, down by the LCR?

[Dirt4dinner]

I found an AWESOME camping spot over looking the lake. It's at the end of a mildly technical road, 4x4 or high clearance vehicle would be a must. If your interested in directions shot me a PM...it's tough to explain, but I should be able to get you there. If you're into geocaching, I have one hidden near the dam that hasn't been found yet...been there almost a year. It's not a very commonly used lake, but it's very nice!

[azbackpackr]

Chevelon Canyon is 40 miles long. I have backpacked from Chevelon Crossing upstream to almost the dam. I have not hiked below Chevelon Crossing. Some of that is private property.

There is a ranch, down lower, closer to the LCR, where they used to have petroglyph tours--you pay, they take you. However I don't know if that is still going on as the family's grandson was killed somewhere along the creek, and they were very devastated.

Now, Leonard Canyon and the East Clear Creek are what intrigue me! Anyone been there? (NOT West Clear Creek--it's a totally different creek, although their sources are close together they lie in different watersheds--one running to the Verde, the other to the LCR.

[PaleoRob]

There is a ranch, down lower, closer to the LCR, where they used to have petroglyph tours--you pay, they take you. However I don't know if that is still going on as the family's grandson was killed somewhere along the creek, and they were very devastated.

Is this the one: http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=1303

I've heard rumors of other stuff somewhere down in the lower part of Chevelon that I'm very interested in checking out, if I can figure out the logistics.

[mcontreras]

Just wanted to give an update. We did make it down to Chevelon lake with our 3 kids (14, 6 and 4) everyone made it down just fine, but the way up we put our 4 year old in a kiddy backpack and my husband hiked him out and he weighs 34 lbs. It was difficult on the way up, me and the 6 year old rested a few time in some shade we found, but most of the hike was in the sun.

The lake was beautiful and not another soul was there, we had the lake to our selves. We fished, but didn't catch anything so me and the 14 year old went below the dam to fish the pools down there, my husband said there was a huge fish in the pool furthest from the dam, I tried but got nothing. All in all, it was great. The kids took off there shoes and got their feet wet.