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| | Forest Lakes Packraft Potpourri, AZ | | | |
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Forest Lakes Packraft Potpourri, AZ
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| Hiking | 11.20 Miles |
1,644 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.20 Miles | 1 Hour 39 Mns | | 7.81 mph |
| 1,644 ft AEG | 13 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Since we are experiencing record March heat in the Valley, we decided to head up to the north country for a Saturday adventure.
I'd never spent much time at any of the forest lakes, and our packrafts were itching to get out, so we decided on an ambitious plan to paddle all four of the main lakes off FR300--Knoll Lake, Bear Canyon Lake, Woods Canyon Lake, and Willow Spring Lake. Turned out that we only had time to do 3 of the 4, but considered that a pretty good haul for one day.
We decided to start at the most remote--Knoll Lake and make our way back east. The final 4.5 miles to Knoll were fine in our Tacoma, but I wouldn't bring my sedan. We passed through a couple of rutted sections what would have given 4WD/high clearance a run during a wet/muddy spell. All was generally dry today though.
At Knoll, there were a handful of folks along the shore, but no one on the lake when we started out. We explored both fingers and got off and wandered the knoll/island, marking good camp spots for future trips. Loved the relative solitude of this lake.
Next, we paddled Bear Canyon. Approach also requires 3 miles of dirt road travel. Better maintained than the final stretch to Knoll, but we still saw a sedan trying to drive out on a completely deflated tire. ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
Getting to the launch point from the parking area (there are two) requires a little bit of a hike. With our lightweight packrafts, it wasn't an issue, but it would be a pain with something heavier.
As expected, crowds picked up at Bear Canyon, and we shared the lake with other kayakers/paddle-boarders and a host of folks fishing from the shore. Apparently, I accidentally crossed over a bobber I didn't see and earned a few choice words from one on-shore fisherman. Sorry dude!
By the time we got to Woods Canyon, it was late afternoon. With paved roads the whole way and closer proximity to the 260, recreation on this lake is more developed, and a higher level of crowds. Because of the time of day though, folks were wrapping up their visits when we arrived. No problem with parking.
Woods Canyon was probably the most scenic of the three we visited. Cooler shoreline geology; more finger nooks to explore, and slightly clearer more green (less brown) water. Also, we saw a bald eagle, which is always a treat. The only downside is more humanity to deal with.
Finished at sunset, and decided to put Willow Springs on a future visit list, along with perhaps Chevelon, which seems even more remote.
Dinner in Payson, then back to the unwelcome March inferno. |
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