 | | Author: | Art (ID: 1009) | | Posted: | 2009-01-03 04:40 GMT+00:00 | | Mileage: | 3.03 km | |
|
 | Tags: | Photography, Hiking, Landscape, desert, hike, photographs |
| Views: 630 |
|
|
|
I've always wanted to see the dam that forms Canyon Lake. It can't be seen from any of the roads. As I was looking at pictures from my last hike, I realized that I could probably hike to an area that overlooks the dam. I was able to do that today, and I was also able to hike along a prominent cliff that overlooks Canyon Lake.
| IMG_2946 |
Looking back at the truck at the start of the hike.
| IMG_2947 |
| IMG_2948 |
I didn't know it at this point, but I was going to be on top of that cliff.
| IMG_2949 |
I could have climbed this, too, but it's smaller and wouldn't have as good of a view.
| IMG_2950 |
There are stones around here that must have a high iron content. There is a small disk magnet stuck to the side of this rock.
| IMG_2951 |
All of the dark rocks in this photo seem to have high iron content.
| IMG_2952 |
I'm headed for the dirt road that cuts across this photo.
| IMG_2954 |
I came across this road. Didn't even know it was here.
| IMG_2955 |
Same road in the other direction.
| IMG_2957 |
There are still puddles around from last week's rain.
| IMG_2958 |
Another road branches off from the one I'm hiking on. I think these roads are only to be used for maintenance of power line poles, but it looks like people sometimes ride their ATVs on them.
| IMG_2959 |
Looking back down the road I've been ascending.
| IMG_2960 |
Onward and upward.
| IMG_2961 |
The lake is used to generate electricity.
| IMG_2962 |
| IMG_2963 |
That's the Superstition Mountains on the horizon.
| IMG_2965 |
From here I can see some of the facilities associated with the dam.
| IMG_2966 |
Taking in the view.
| IMG_2967 |
If you look closely, you will see that there is a rock column joined to the cliff face at its top and bottom, with a spherical rock stuck in the middle.
| IMG_2968 |
"La cervesa muy fina"
| IMG_2969 |
| IMG_2970 |
That black spot looks like a rabbit's shadow.
| IMG_2689 |
Zoomed in. It still looks like a rabbit shadow, but now you can see that it is the result of an uneven cliff face and not a giant rabbit.
| IMG_2972 |
The lake behind the dam.
| IMG_2973 |
The view to the northwest.
| IMG_2974 |
Looking west northwest.
| IMG_2975 |
Looking west.
| IMG_2976 |
Looking along the cliff, which is the direction I am going.
| IMG_2977 |
There is a sheer cliff on this side, too.
| IMG_2980 |
There is the dam, half in shadow.
| IMG_2690 |
This bird did a dance for me. It was probably telling me to go away.
| IMG_2986_4_5 |
The road down there is Apache Trail. The Superstition Mountains are on the left on the horizon.
| IMG_2989_7_8 |
| IMG_2995_3_4 |
The Fountain Hills fountain is barely visible in this photo. On the right side in the mid-ground is Stewart Mountain.
| IMG_2998_6_7 |
Resting in the shade of a saguaro cactus.
| IMG_2999 |
It almost looks like there is a trail here.
| IMG_3002_0_1 |
The Superstition Mountains on the horizon.
| IMG_3003 |
| IMG_3004 |
Self portrain with Four Peaks on the horizon.
| IMG_3005 |
It looks like there might be fossils in this rock.
| IMG_3006 |
I like to take pictures of dead trees.
| IMG_3007 |
Weaver's Needle on the horizon.
| IMG_3008 |
Part of Canyon Lake.
| IMG_3009 |
| IMG_3010 |
| IMG_3011 |
| IMG_3012 |
| IMG_3013 |
The one lane bridge down there is where First Water Creek enters the lake.
| IMG_3014 |
The scenery is so beautiful, I find myself taking several pictures of the same thing from slightly different angles.
| IMG_3015 |
Looking back along the ridge.
| IMG_3016 |
| IMG_3018 |
| IMG_3019 |
| IMG_3021 |
It's funny how the water is blue in some pictures and brown in others. I didn't do that.
| IMG_3022 |
| IMG_3025_3_4 |
The road is Apache Trail. You can see my truck parked next to the road down there.
| IMG_3026 |
| IMG_3027 |
Steve and I hiked up that hill a few days ago. You can see the trail going up it.
| IMG_3028 |
| IMG_3029 |
| IMG_3031 |
Back there you can see the rock formations which I photographed on the First Water Creek hike.
| IMG_3032 |
| IMG_3033 |
| IMG_2694 |
Zoomed in on some boaters on the lake.
| IMG_3034 |
| IMG_3035 |
That is Satchin Cliff.
| IMG_3036 |
This pictures shows one of the clouds of bugs hovering around. They kept to themselves, so I liked them.
| IMG_2701 |
As I sat and looked at the lake, this lizard came out to bask in the sun.
| IMG_3037 |
Starting back.
| IMG_3038 |
| IMG_3039 |
Every where I go, somebody else has been there first.
| IMG_3040 |
Despite all the rain, most ocotillos don't have leaves. That's probably because it's so cool (though is was about 70F today).
| IMG_3041 |
These tufts of grass look out of place here.
| IMG_3042 |
| IMG_3043 |
Previous hikers built a cairn here to mark their trail.
| IMG_3044 |
Close up of the dam.
| IMG_3046 |
| IMG_3048 |
| IMG_2703 |
There is a squirrel close to the center of this picture.
| IMG_2705 |
Here's the squirrel in a different spot.
| IMG_3051 |
The moss is fading from green to brown as it dries out.
| IMG_3052 |
| IMG_3053 |
I hiked up to this rock column to get a better picture, but I think the picture from further away is better.
| IMG_3054 |
Looking back at the cliff I was on.
| IMG_3055 |
| IMG_3057 |
A fungus puff ball.
| IMG_3058 |
Comments 