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| | | Willow Springs-Stewart Mtn Dam Kayak and Hike, AZ | | | |
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Willow Springs-Stewart Mtn Dam Kayak and Hike, AZ
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| Hiking | 9.18 Miles |
906 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.18 Miles | 6 Hrs 22 Mns | | 1.78 mph |
| 906 ft AEG | 1 Hour 13 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | The New Year's Day plan was to hike Willow Springs Canyon, but to access it from Saguaro Lake via kayak and hike up canyon. We started from Butcher Jones and were a little disappointed with it being a little breezy. The lake was choppy, but no whitecaps and we decided to go for it. On the plus side, there were very few boats on the lake, so not a lot of wake wash to deal with.
The closer we got to Willow Springs Canyon, the calmer the water became, and once in the protection of the canyon entrance, the water was flat.
Based on where the official hike route "ends" on the lake side, the water was up quite a bit, and we were able to kayak several hundred more yards up canyon before getting to a point where we were forced to get out.
The drainage into the lake was impressive. So impressive that navigating upstream proved more challenging that anticipated. We only made it up about 25 yards before coming to a mandatory crossing. Rock hopping wasn't an option. I had packed some water sandals, by my daughter wasn't excited about committing to the wet, so she relaxed at our landing point, while I took an hour to see how far up canyon I could go.
As it turned out, not far. In the first 100 yards, I had to cross the creek three times, and finding a path to do so that didn't involve at least waist deep water was a challenge. It wasn't long before I realized that further navigation would require swimming. I wasn't prepared for that level of commitment, so I contented myself with some photos, and then returned to our landing spot.
Initially, we were going to head back to Butcher Jones, but then decided to explore a couple of inlets on the south side of the lake, and then I got the idea of trekking up to connect with Steward Mountain Dam horse trails. The off-trail climb up from the lake was short and surprisingly bushwhack free (mostly). Once connected to the trail system, we made our way over towards the dam, catching up with a group of the trail's namesake (a pack of horses on tour from the ranch at the base of the dam). Near the dam, I off-trailed it to the top of the high point just northwest of the dam, for some 360 degree views of the area. Looking down the continuation of the Salt River yielded some views of decent "fall color" in the trees lining the bank.
After taking in the views of the dam "close up" (outside the fenced-in perimeter), we returned via a slightly alternate route to our kayaks.
By that time, it was mid/late afternoon, and the wind had died down, making for a pleasant cruise back across the lake to Butcher Jones.
All in all, a great adventure to kick off the new year.
I'm tempted to go back to Willow Springs Canyon for a second attempt this week, once the drainage dies down, but it probably won't happen. In general though, I recommend this approach! |
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