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Coolidge Dam - 5 members in 11 triplogs have rated this an average 3.4 ( 1 to 5 best )
11 triplogs
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Apr 21 2023
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 Guides 94
 Routes 842
 Photos 22,068
 Triplogs 1,994

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
San Carlos Reservoir Kayak, AZ 
San Carlos Reservoir Kayak, AZ
 
Kayak avatar Apr 21 2023
chumley • Triplogs 1,994
Kayak9.19 Miles 55 AEG
Kayak9.19 Miles   3 Hrs   5 Mns   3.01 mph
55 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Coolidge Dam
Partners none no partners
With the lake level at 2487ft and appearing to be approaching the season peak, I decided to head out and see how she looks in such pristine condition. I'd penciled in a 10-mile loop, but the wind picked up pretty strong later in the afternoon, so I settled for a shortened trip.

There was one boat on the lake. I chatted with the guy for 15 min or so in the middle of the lake. I saw a vehicle near the dam. That was it on the day. It's funny to me that in a state full of a population that loves to recreate near water how few are out enjoying this treat.

Great day. Perfect temps and pleasant paddling until the wind picked up near the end. Tons of ducks, cormorants, and other water foul. A couple of herons, a deer, and one fat-pumpkin raccoon spooked by me while it was enjoying a drink.
 Flora
 Flora [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Desert Globemallow  Owl Clover
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Coolidge Dam  Mount Turnbull  San Carlos Reservoir

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 San Carlos Reservoir 76-100% full 76-100% full
I think technically it is only 65% full, but that top 20 feet holds a ton of water. If you didn't know better you'd say 100%.
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I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
  2 archives
Sep 12 2022
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 Guides 1
 Photos 1,891
 Triplogs 131

47 male
 Joined Feb 13 2006
 Phoenix, AZ
Coolidge DamGlobe, AZ
Coolidge Dam
Globe, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 12 2022
david_allen_3 • Triplogs 131
Hiking1.00 Miles
Hiking1.00 Miles
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
It has been 25 years since I last visited Coolidge Dam/San Carlos Lake. When I saw the water level up 40 to 45 ft since June I decided it was time to pay another visit to see the rebirth of the lake and try some fishing. Since the water level has been almost empty for a year or two and with large fish die offs there was not much for fishing but it was still nice to hike the shoreline again and visit this memorable place. There is an algae bloom likely from all the nutrients now in the water that could translate into a healthy fish population in the years to come pending water levels. In years past this has been a premier fishing spot for Bass and Crappie. One of the reasons the water levels were so low, other than record low rain and snow, was to perform repairs on the dam. Mostly to the intake assemblies. Spillway looked new as well. Not sure why no attention has been given to the dome structures on the face of the dam that are cracked. Remnants of a time when care was put into architecture can be seen on the dam.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light
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Wherever you go there you are.
 
May 28 2015
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 Guides 94
 Routes 842
 Photos 22,068
 Triplogs 1,994

52 male
 Joined Sep 18 2002
 Tempe, AZ
West Peak, AZ 
West Peak, AZ
 
4x4 Trip avatar May 28 2015
chumley • Triplogs 1,994
4x4 Trip1.00 Miles
4x4 Trip1.00 Miles2 Days         
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Coolidge Dam
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Took an out-of-town friend on a quick midweek car-camp overnight to show off some non-desert views of Arizona. As I tend to do, I decided to explore somewhere I hadn't been before. Perfect weather to be enjoying the great outdoors at higher elevations! There are several trails in the area, and we sauntered a short distance down a couple of them, but generally didn't venture far from the truck.

The road up West Peak has just finished being largely rebuilt. It is in great shape, and there were three bulldozers that had been doing some amazing work. The amount of boulders that have been moved is impressive. I can't imagine what this road was like before! Even now, it is hands-down the steepest grade of any forest road I've ever driven. On the descent, I dropped it into 4LO, and down into 2nd so that I didn't have to ride the brakes too much. I can't imagine trying to drive down this with a full load in the truck!

In the lower elevations, the original road construction is impressive, with each culvert built with custom stonework. There are some nice areas in Tripp Canyon with corrals, camping areas, etc. This area doesn't appear to see much use. I guess that's part of what makes it so cool!

On the way back to the valley, we drove around to Coolidge Dam, which for some reason, I had also previously not been to. I'll have to come back here sometime. It looks like a great place to explore some more.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Fire Lookout Structures  HAZ - Selfie
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Bear Springs Wash  Blue Jay Peak  Coolidge Dam  Matthews Wash  San Carlos Reservoir  Santa Teresa Mountains  Sawmill Water Storage Tank  West Peak
_____________________
I'm not sure what my spirit animal is, but I'm confident it has rabies.
 
Mar 26 2013
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 Guides 4
 Photos 542
 Triplogs 573

46 male
 Joined Oct 19 2010
 Mesa, AZ
Coolidge DamGlobe, AZ
Coolidge Dam
Globe, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 26 2013
Charger55 • Triplogs 573
Hiking1.00 Miles
Hiking1.00 Miles   1 Hour      1.00 mph
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This place is incredible! In the middle of the afternoon it was like having a ghost town all to myself. I roamed back and forth across the dam for awhile, snapping away with my camera. The only thing I didn't like was the big bathtub ring around the lake. I thought the one at Lake Mead was bad. Pretty soon this dam might be holding back nothing but mud.
_____________________
"I've driven across deserts, driven by the irony, that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
- Frank Turner "The Road"
 
Sep 01 2012
avatar

 Guides 7
 Routes 19
 Photos 3,021
 Triplogs 191

67 male
 Joined Jun 01 2010
 Mesa, AZ
Coolidge DamGlobe, AZ
Coolidge Dam
Globe, AZ
Scenic Drive avatar Sep 01 2012
paulhubbard • Triplogs 191
Scenic Drive1.00 Miles
Scenic Drive1.00 Miles
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
kplumaz
I've seen photos of Coolidge Dam, but they don't so it justice. This is such a fabulous piece of history! I can only imagine what it would have been like to be at the ceremony to dedicate this marvel. The detail in the stone work is incredible! And there's hardly anyone there - We saw two other cars cross the dam during our exploration.

It's not far off the beaten path, so if you're in the area, go check it out!
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Cable Car (USGS Cableway)  Informational/Interpretive Sign
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Coolidge Dam  San Carlos Reservoir
_____________________
Good judgement comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgement.
 
Feb 29 2012
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 Guides 264
 Routes 2,799
 Photos 14,514
 Triplogs 5,896

55 male
 Joined Nov 20 1996
 
Coolidge DamGlobe, AZ
Coolidge Dam
Globe, AZ
Walk / Tour avatar Feb 29 2012
joebartels • Triplogs 5,896
Walk / Tour0.20 Miles 2 AEG
Walk / Tour0.20 Miles      15 Mns   0.80 mph
2 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
JuanJaimeiii
interesting sight, especially in the fading afternoon sun :)

crazy locals walking the railing waving their arms pretending to fly
_____________________
- joe
 
Feb 29 2012
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 Routes 596
 Photos 9,610
 Triplogs 2,402

58 male
 Joined Jan 30 2011
 Chandler, AZ
Coolidge DamGlobe, AZ
Coolidge Dam
Globe, AZ
Walk / Tour avatar Feb 29 2012
JuanJaimeiii • Triplogs 2,402
Walk / Tour0.20 Miles 2 AEG
Walk / Tour0.20 Miles      15 Mns   0.80 mph
2 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners partners
joebartels
On the way out from Mt. Turnbull we stopped to check out the Coolidge Dam. I have been there twice before but this time it was a bit different. The water was so low in the lake that that it really didn't even come up on the dam. This dam is cool to see but it has seen its better years.

I would say judging by my couple trips to the dam that it makes a great spot to meet up with your peeps and thow down some 40's. :sl:

Flowers around the lake were AMAZING!
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Coolidge Dam
_____________________
 
Jan 25 2012
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 Guides 4
 Routes 20
 Photos 4,109
 Triplogs 494

84 male
 Joined Feb 17 2010
 Apache Junction,
Coolidge DamGlobe, AZ
Coolidge Dam
Globe, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 25 2012
AZLumberjack • Triplogs 494
Hiking1.00 Miles
Hiking1.00 Miles
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
On Wednesday, by brother and I drove out to San Carlos Reservoir, the object of our trip was to check up on the probability of fishing for some of those legendary Crappies and to visit/view the Coolidge Dam.

The water levels were too low for much good fishing and we talked to a couple of anglers who just came off the lake to clean their catch. "Hittin slow n light". Was the reply as they cleaned the last of 3, 2-1/2 pounders. No one else appeared to be having any better luck, so we proceeded to check out the dam.

The dam is in a sad state of repair, although it shows a recent paint job. Graffiti covers a lot of the posts and railings and all the decorative lamp posts have long been stripped of (or shot out) their globes and glass panels. It's such a shame to deface a structure as magnificent as this.

The architectural elements of the dam shows a great deal of care was put into its construction in the late 20's. It truly must have been a beautiful sight at its dedication. There was a scenic overlook along the approach to the dam that was complete with a lot of decorative rock work and 2 picnic tables. Today it just accumulates a lot of trash, and no one seems to have an interest in maintaining the area.

It was an interesting trip and one that I would make again when the reservoir fills and the fishing improves.
_____________________
On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another Gold Mine. Today the mine was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the next trip.
 
Nov 01 2011
avatar

 Guides 4
 Photos 4,732
 Triplogs 2,610

55 male
 Joined Sep 29 2004
 Small Town USA
Coolidge DamGlobe, AZ
Coolidge Dam
Globe, AZ
Walk / Tour avatar Nov 01 2011
SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,610
Walk / Tour1.00 Miles 20 AEG
Walk / Tour1.00 Miles
20 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
About every 3 years on my travels to & from Phoenix, I'll take the back road (Coolidge Dam Rd) on the San Carlos rez back home to check out the dam. I have a moderate fear of heights and this decaying dam always makes my body shake while walking on it, but it has such an interesting architectural design that I find fascinating and is a great subject to photograph!
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Corral Mountain
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https://www.instagram.com/skyislander22/
 
Mar 23 2011
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 Guides 177
 Routes 249
 Photos 10,213
 Triplogs 2,215

74 male
 Joined Feb 12 2002
 Gold Canyon, AZ
Coolidge DamGlobe, AZ
Coolidge Dam
Globe, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 23 2011
AZLOT69 • Triplogs 2,215
Hiking1.00 Miles
Hiking1.00 Miles   1 Hour      1.00 mph
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Fun day, no one else around.
_____________________
It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain
 
Oct 24 2010
avatar

 Guides 177
 Routes 249
 Photos 10,213
 Triplogs 2,215

74 male
 Joined Feb 12 2002
 Gold Canyon, AZ
Coolidge DamGlobe, AZ
Coolidge Dam
Globe, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 24 2010
AZLOT69 • Triplogs 2,215
Hiking1.00 Miles
Hiking1.00 Miles   1 Hour      1.00 mph
 no routes
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
What a great place to visit. Of my several trips, there may have been one or two cars drive by but I have never encountered another pedestrian enjoying it. You still drive on this dam and I doubt they will be building a bypass anytime soon. :sl:
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Dam - Power Plant  HAZ Rides
_____________________
It's best for a man to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open his mouth and remove all doubt.
--Mark Twain
 
average hiking speed 0.92 mph

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.

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