Escaping the heat to Chevelon Lake.

Last weekend we decided to get outta town and enjoy some cooler temps. We were headed for Chevelon Lake and were going to camp at Chevelon Crossing. About a month before Chevelon Crossing had quiet a bit of water in it...

We headed up early Saturday morning via Payson and decided to hit up the Rim Road.
Always a pretty drive. It wasn't too busy, but keep in mind you are on a road that many people camp along and you're by no means remote.
It WAS however nice and green.


We took our time and enjoyed the cool air and view along the rim.




Coupla posers.


Deciding where we want to head next. This was a pretty loose trip. It was nice for once to decide where we wanted to head in the moment.


The Passenger.


Controlled burns.


Chevelon Lake is about a half mile hike down this road. Only accessible by walking, dirt bike, or quad.




This spillway looked pretty interesting. I'd love to see it filled with rushing water.




Time for the walk back!




We got to Chevelon Crossing and saw a completely dry river bed. I was amazed at how fast it had dryed up. Just a month and a week ago D and I crossed it and there was water flowing. Needless to say that we decided we were over Chevelon Crossing. We all decided that being up on the rim at a slightly higher elevation with an amazing view was the place to be. We headed back to the Rim Road and started looking for a "Quiet" place to camp amongst all the toy haulers and RV's. We ended up turning on a small trail that I've tried to check for camping spots several times before. The good spot at the end of the road right on the rim had never been vacant. It's down a tough enough road that at minimum a truck with decent ground clearance and 4x4 are needed so that kept most people out. We lucked out and snatched this "remote" spot amongst a congested area.



The area was nice and green!






Great sunset!




The next morning we decided to cruise through Young and take a side trail to the top of Aztec Peak.







It was sure nice to see some water flowing this time of year!


This little hut is just upstream of the waterfall.






Fire Tower up at the top.




Great view up here! Oddly, I've never been lucky enough to get into a fire tower. They have always been un-manned whenever I pass by one.


This fellow lives up here for the entire fire season each year.


Aztec, 4Runners. 1st gen and 3rd gen.






Once we headed down the mountain it was hot, plain old HOT HOT. So we didn't take any photos and headed to Superior for some Mexican Food. Great overnighter!

"Go John!" Trail. Cave Creek, AZ

Good ride for the most part. One buddy flew off the trail into a palo verde that stopped him from going off a small 5 foot ledge. It nearly gave him an enema though. Then less than a half mile from the parking lot he took a serious fall and cut himself up pretty bad. Nothing broken, but a trip to the ER and about 8 stiches on the upper lip didn't look like fun. So, because I'm a good friend, I gotta make fun of him. Here is the video of the ride. (missed getting video of the big fall.)
No fun!! ;-)

AND here is a photobucket version if you aren't signed up to facebook.

"Adventures From the Trail: The Challenge or the Goal."

A good friend and a person I am proud to know wrote an awesome book. He talks about his many adventures of every kind. I'm also proud to be in it.

Check it out:
http://www.amazon.com/Adventures-Trail-Challenge-Clint-Rounsavall/dp/1453622497/ref=pd_rhf_p_t_1

"Leaving his job of 17 years, Clint turns his recreational trail rides into a unique adventurous career opportunity of cataloging trails of the South West. Travelling in a Jeep or on a dirt bike, you never know what you may find in the desert unless you take that ride. Join along with Clint and discover a new adventure around every turn."

Heat ride

It was hot and humid today. Seemed like a good time for self torture. Felt great.
109F today. Picked some climbs. Ouch.