Canyon Lake Paddling

 The Dolly Steamboat



Canyon Lake, home of the Dolly Steamboat, is nestled in the Superstition Mountains within the Tonto National Forest. With a surface area of 950 acres this is the smallest of four manmade lakes created along the Salt River. 



We put in on the shore at the Camping area and meandered up the branch past the camping area.  Every corner was filled with stunning views, caves, crevices with Saguaro and Barrel cactus growing out of rock.

Anglers enjoy this 10 mile lake (summer months being the busiest - in order to escape 105 F temperatures Jun/Jul/Aug).   Today, fisher-people are catching sunfish mainly.  The lake has bass, stocked trout (in winter months), catfish walleye.  Average depth is 130 feet so would be a 'cool' swim should you tip over.

 A favorite haunt for blue heron, bald eagles and coots.  Due to the fact we were here mid-day on a Sunday (power boats don't go through these small channels), we didn't see any of the wildlife such as bighorn sheep, mt lion, coyotes and javelina.

 Each channel has totally different rock formations.

This channel was more sundrenched and filled with saguaro, shoreline grasses and cattails.  Saw a freshwater turtle but way too timid to get a photo.  The coots and grackles have total protection among these think grasses.

Felt good to get out of the water again after a couple of years.  Took quite some time to get ready - had to adjust the pedals, tighten a couple bolts and figure out whose cushions worked where.  We always have extra padding as the built-in seating is not easy on the back.  But, didn't require any duct tape and no bailing so things were good.