Scenic Drive: The Apache Trail Scenic Byway (Apache Junction, Arizona)
November 19, 2013
Snorkeling with Manatees – Three Sisters Springs (Crystal River, Florida)
January 21, 2014Porta Bote Adventure at Canyon Lake (Tonto National Forest, Arizona)
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This is our first adventure on our Porta Bote (Portable Folding Boat). Excited! We had passed by Canyon Lake just yesterday driving through the Apache Trail Scenic Byway. We're so happy that this 12-ft folding boat fit on our Thule SUP racks, plus the accessories and a 6-hp motor fit in the back of the Mini Cooper. Amazing!
Address
About 14 miles northeast of Apache Junction on Arizona State Hwy. 88 (historic "Apache Trail").
Links
• Canyon Lake Marina
• Tonto National Forest
• Porta Bote
• Thule Racks
• Dolly Steamboat
Distance Traveled
22 miles from Monte Vista RV Park
"Canyon Lake, about 40 miles east of Phoenix is one of the four lakes created by dams on the Salt River. The others are Roosevelt Lake, Apache Lake and Saguaro Lake. Canyon Lake is the smallest of the four, but probably the most picturesque. Unusual rock formations, scenic red rock canyon walls combine desert flora create its southwestern natural beauty." –Arizona Visitor's Guide
Here's a few pictures from our outing:
The drive to Palo Verde Recreation Site...
Plenty of parking on this November day...
Setting up the folding boat...
Compare the size of our Porta Bote to the other boater. We're so proud of our little boat! Plus, we didn't need a trailer to get it here.
Let's start exploring...
If you don't have a boat, you can jump on the Dolly Steamboat which is only $22/pp (Scenic Tour) to $65/pp (Twilight Dinner Cruise).
[Update: As of August 9, 2021 - $25/adults (Scenic Tour) to $63.90 (Twilight Dinner Cruise).]
Not only beautiful country but wild Bighorn Sheep, too... couldn't believe I was able to spot this guy way up in the distance! Movement or his white butt gave him away.
We pause with a few kayakers to observe the wild bighorn sheep.
I've never steered a boat before... it's fun and not so stressful when there aren't a huge amount of other boaters.
I also take a stab at rowing the porta bote. Didn't do half bad. I think we would've gone farther and faster if we didn't have the 6-hp engine dragging us down. But you gotta love the horsepower when your arms give out... in my case... only after 10-15 minutes of rowing.
There's the car bridge at Apache Trail Arizona Route 88 which we crossed getting here.
