Canyon Lake

Nov 28/17  Weather sunny 85, low 51.  Today might be the 100th day here in the Phoenix area with no measurable rainfall.  Can you imagine?  

views are great, road needs reconstruction

We meandered out along the historic Apache Trail.  The road was once an old stagecoach trail that ran through Superstition Mountains.  The quality of the road has really deteriorated; it is a washboard.   If travelling on a motorcycle we suggest going during the week when there is little traffic so you can take it slow and drive around some of the ruts when possible.

a view like a painting

The end of the pavement is at Tortilla Flats and beyond that the road turns to dirt and very narrow and steep cliff drops and little in the way of safety barriers.  No worries, we turned around at the end of the pavement.  We have heard some horror stories of bikers wiping out.  Most of the road has a maximum speed limit of 15 mph. Little known tidbit: test drivers from General Motors Proving Grounds used to use the Apache Trail to test tires and vehicle maneuverability. 

how the Apache Trail became a road

22 miles of dirt, hairpin turns, switchbacks........time to turn around

We backtracked to Canyon Lake where we sat on the marina restaurant patio and had a bit of refreshments.  We are good at eating out; have you noticed?  Haha.   This is one of the reservoirs of water created when damming the Salt River. 

from the restaurant patio view of Canyon Lake

Feb 25 Apache Trail - Apache Junction Arizona

Weather: 82 Sunny and about 60 at night perfect for sleeping.

Took a Sunday afternoon ride to Apache Trail which is east of Phoenix into the Superstition Mountains.  Winding, twisting mountain roads that end up in Canyon Lake (man made from a dam) so bizarre when you come across it.  Beautiful.   I think every biker was out there that day!   Then there were more roads down and around to a valley called Tortilla Flats.   In the turn of the century, 1904 it was a Stage Coach stop.  I can imagine they would want a stiff drink when they stopped!!!! 

One lane bridge

Tortilla Flats Saloon

Superstition Mountains

There is a landmark area called Apache Leap where instead of being taken by the US Cavalry the Apache Indians leapt to their death.