Butcher Jones Picnic Site

Submitted by Bio 181 Nature ... on Sat, 04/30/2011
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Synopsis: 

Saguaro Lake, 41 miles from downtown Phoenix, is the Salt River Project lake closest to Phoenix. The reservoir was created by the construction of Stewart Mountain Dam.Saguaro del Norte Recreation site is near the dam and includes the Saguaro Lake Marina (which includes a restaurant and boat concession), a Maricopa County Sheriff's aid station, picnic tables, restrooms and boat ramps.Butcher Jones Beach, which can be reached by a road a few miles north of Saguaro del Norte, features swimming, picnic and restroom facilities. The area is open daily from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. from April through September.Bagley Flat Campground (30 spaces) is about four miles from the dam but is accessible only by boat. It is open all year (no fees). To get there, travel up a narrow cliff-bordered portion of the lake. The campground is in a scenic and peaceful area and has sanitation facilities.The Arizona Game and Fish Department stocks all of the SRP lakes with fish. There generally are good supplies of walleye, largemouth and yellow bass, rainbow and brown trout, bluegills, channel catfish, and crappie in Saguaro.

Directions: 

There are two ways to reach the lake. One is to take the Bush Highway north from U.S. Highway 60 to the Saguaro del Norte Recreation Site turnoff. The other way is to take the Beeline Highway (State Route 87) from either the McDowell Road turnoff in Mesa or from Shea Boulevard near Fountain Hills. About eight miles after crossing the Verde River, turn right at signs indicating the Saguaro Lake Recreation Area.

Location

Saguaro Lake
14011 North Bush Highway
Mesa, AZ, 85215
Quest Clues: 

Starting Point:

You Quest will begin at Butcher Jones Picnic Site

From the parking lots, take a right

A mini beach will be clear in your view

With water refreshing and blue.

For Reflection:If you walk up to the water's edge you will see a lot of green plants in the water. This is algae, an underwater plant which still needs a little sunlight to grow! Did you know that some kinds of algae can grow up to 65 meters in length? That's about 213 feet!2

To Embark on Your Quest:

Your path is marked by a Saguaro

Lake Sign

From here your trail is a clear line

Walk past the small cactus patch

Till you see a dried creek bed with

no fish to catch.

For Reflection: Since this trail is next to a lake, you will see a wider variety of desert plant. When it rains the water from the higher elevations drain into creek beds like this and create more water for the plants to flourish.

Continue Past these Trees:

There will be many smaller trails to confuse you

But stay on the large trail for your next clue

Continue on the trail which now has a rail

And soon a shallow marsh with tall plants will unveil

For Reflection: Past the marsh you will see a mountain in the background with a yellowish greenish tint to it. This is moss. Did you know that moss can grow on a lot of different rough surfaces such as rocks, sand, soil and many more? Though, it cannot grow on smooth surfaces or it may just fall.

The Trail Next to the Lake:

Following the path cross the small wooden bridge

Passing above the water's edge the trail becomes a ridge

You'll soon see a bench next to a sign to read

After this step, in knowing plants around you, you will lead

For Reflection: This is a great spot to see all around you. Can you see any birds or ducks in the water from here? Ducks attain most of their food in the water so can usually be spotted in the lake. They enjoy meals of grass, water plants, insects, worms, small amphibians, fish and small mollusks.

Rising Path:

You will soon find yourself walking past a marina barge

A place for boats to unload though it is no longer used at large

Keep walking till you reach another sign about wildlife

Though these ones are rare to see on this hike

For Reflection:In this Wild Anglers sign it shows animals that are part of a food chain in this ecosystem. Can you think of any other animals or insects that may be part of this ecosystem?

Approaching a Turn:

Continue on the trail which starts to rise

As you begin to see the lake grow in size

You will then have to pass through a trail narrowed by wire

This is to keep horses and bikes out in case you inquire

For Reflection: Saguaro Lake is full of fish such as walleye, largemouth and yellow bass, rainbow and brown trout, bluegills, channel catfish, and crappie. Fishing is allowed in this lake because The Arizona Game and Fish Department fills it with these fish.

Peregrine Point:

You will soon pass a sigh reading Peregrine point

This is the part of the trail known as the pointe

Do not stop until you reach the tale lone Saguaro towering

If you visit during spring, it may just be flowering.

For Reflection: Did you know the Saguaro blossom is the state flower in Arizona? These flowers usually only bloom at night, but sometimes stay open in the morning. They are beautiful white and yellow flowers.

Winding Around the Lake:

Follow the trail further being wary

These steep hills are a little scary

You will soon see another cactus standing tall with grace

But this one has a tree growing from its base!

For Reflection:This looks like it could be a parasite plant growing from the cactus, but that is not the case, they just decided to grow in the same spot. Although they live next to a lake full of water their roots are in the same spot, causing them to fight over water and wilt.

Finishing your Quest:

Walk past the dead tree leaning over the lake

The one that looks like it could fall with just a shake

A little further look to the right and you will be amazed

You will reach a thicket of trees so cool it will leave you dazed!

For Reflection: Notice the thicket of threes looks like it forms a shelter. Animals also need protection from weather conditions and they go the places that form a shelter for them.