Friday, May 13, 2016

Salt River between Apache Lake and Roosevelt Dam

Fast Flight Facts

Target Species: Regular and rare water species, desert species

Elevation: 2200'

Habitat: Salt River surrounded by desert mountains

Overall Birding Rating: 3

Difficulty: 1 (Easy)

Birding Type: Stopping and scanning

Facilities: Parking and restrooms at Theodore Roosevelt Dam

Fees/Ownership: None, part of the Tonto National Forest

Closest Town or City/How far from Phoenix: Apache Junction /52 miles east northeast of Phoenix

Getting there: Northeast stretch of Apache Trail on rough dirt road

Overview: The last five miles of the northeast section of the Apache Trail offers fun and interesting birding opportunities. This is a scenic stretch of the Apache Trail also, as the Salt River flows alongside the road. An interesting tip of Maricopa County comes into contact with Gila County, as half of the Salt River is in Maricopa County, and the other half is in Gila County. In other words: while driving in Maricopa County, looking across the river is in Gila County. This stretch goes from mile marker 236 of the Apache Trail to mile marker 242. It starts after Apache Lake is passed and continues to Theodore Roosevelt Dam and Theodore Roosevelt Lake. The Salt River offers open water to view, which will provide looks at different waterbirds throughout the year. Once at the end of the Apache Trail, Roosevelt Dam is an amazing sight to see and well worth the trip. Past the dam, a small section of Roosevelt Lake is in Maricopa County. This stretch is yet another place to look for both water and desert birds.

Birding Tip: Keep in mind half of the Salt River is in Maricopa County (Apache Trail side) and the other half in Gila County. There are several easy pullouts along this stretch to view the Salt River. If there aren't a lot of vehicles on the Apache Trail, it's easier to view the birds on the river. Roosevelt Lake is also a good area to scan for different birds, and a small patch of it is in Maricopa County. Drive carefully and be well prepared for any vehicle hazards, as the Apache Trail can be a very rough road to drive on.

Directions: This is the very northeastern section of the Apache Trail, between mile markers 236 and 242.

Pages:

Salt River between Apache Lake and Roosevelt Dam Maps

Scenes and Sights from the Salt River between Apache Lake and Roosevelt Dam:

Salt River between Apache Lake and Roosevelt Dam Maps *All maps property of Google. Map # 1: Overview of the Salt River along the Apache Trail. This is the very northeastern section of the Apache Trail, between mile markers 236 and 242. Map # 2: The Maricopa County section of Roosevelt Lake.

Apache Lake

Fast Flight Facts

Target Species: Regular and rare water birds, desert species

Elevation: 1900'

Habitat: Long and narrow desert reservoir surrounded by cliffs and mountains

Overall Birding Rating: 3

Difficulty: 1-2 (Easy to Fairly Easy)

Birding Type: Easy to Moderate Hiking, Boating, Walking and Scanning

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, restaurant and inn, marina with boat rentals, campground

Fees/Ownership: Six dollar Tonto National Forest Fee

Closest Town or City/How far from Phoenix: Apache Junction /48 miles east-northeast of Phoenix

Getting there: Access from the Bush Highway to the turnoff to Saguaro Lake

Overview: Apache Lake is the second reservoir on the Apache Trail that is created by the Salt River. This is a very long and narrow lake and runs for over ten miles. It is a beautiful lake and is surrounded by the scenery of canyons, cliffs, and desert hills. Besides several access points to view this lake that are productive, most of this lake is very hard to cover due to it's length. The access points that are available however give good birding opportunities. One access point is the main turnoff to Apache Lake, which features a marina and even a nice resort. Good views are given of the lake here. There are places to stay here as well as boat rentals. Several groves of trees are planted throughout the resort and marina area, which may bring in some interesting migrants or wintering birds. Another good place to view Apache Lake comes from the Burnt Corral Recreation Area at the northeast side of the lake. This recreation area features a campground under a nice mesquite bosque, which will provide good birding other than the views of the lake. Despite access problems due to the lake's length, it still is a beautiful lake to visit and the areas that are accessible are likely to result in good birding and are worth visiting.

Birding Tip: The best birding approach to birding Apache Lake would be to rent a boat and search the long and narrow lake. A good amount of birds may still be observed from the various recreation spots that lead to the lake, but a boat is the only way to accurately search this lake. Bring a scope to scan the water. Bird the surrounding desert and the big mesquite bosque which makes up Burnt Corral Campground.

Directions: The first turnoff to Apache Lake comes between mile markers 229 and 230, which is shortly past Fish Creek. This turnoff leads to the main recreation area of the lake, where the marina, resort, and boat rentals are located. There are several turnoffs to the lake other than the ones mentioned on this text. Another good turnoff comes at the eastern section of the lake at mile marker 234. This road goes to the Burnt Corral Recreation Area and campground, which is a very peaceful branch of the lake.

Pages:

Apache Lake Maps

Apache Lake eBird Data

Scenes and Sights from Apache Lake:

Burnt Corral Recreation Area and Campground..

Apache Lake Maps *All maps property of Google. Map # 1: Accessing the different locations of Apache Lake. The first turnoff to Apache Lake comes between mile markers 229 and 230, which is shortly past Fish Creek. This turnoff leads to the main recreation area of the lake, where the marina, resort, and boat rentals are located. There are several turnoffs to the lake other than the ones mentioned on this text. Another good turnoff comes at the eastern section of the lake at mile marker 234. This road goes to the Burnt Corral Recreation Area and campground, which is a very peaceful branch of the lake.

Fish Creek

Fast Flight Facts

Target Species: Riparian and sycamore canyon species, and desert species

Elevation: 2500'

Habitat: Sycamore and cottonwood riparian habitat nestled down in midst of tall canyons and surrounding desert mountains

Overall Birding Rating: 5

Difficulty: 1-3 (Easy to Moderate)

Birding Type: Easy to Moderate Hiking

Facilities: Parking, convenient spots to camp

Fees/Ownership: None, part of the Tonto National Forest

Closest Town or City/How far from Phoenix: Apache Junction /44.5 miles east northeast of Phoenix

Getting there: Roadside pull offs and parking easily accessed from the Apache Trail

Overview: The views of Fish Creek and it's surrounding area is an unforgettable sight and is easily one of Maricopa County's top scenic beauties. When driving on the Apache Trail to Fish Creek, the road drops drastically through switchbacks and windy narrow mountainsides, all the way down to the level of Fish Creek. It is a two mile stretch when driving down the steep road until Fish Creek is met. Once down at the creek, tall cliffs and canyons surround this narrow riparian canyon, where the views are breathtaking. The tall rocks form a shady canyon as Fish Creek would be an enjoyable place to spend an entire day. The habitat mix at the Creek is very interesting and runs along the Apache Trail for a good three miles. Starting the first stretch of Fish Creek are stands of big sycamores, which are mixed in with walnut trees and several cottonwoods. Some of the surrounding hills are filled with chaparral habitat as well as mostly Lower Sonoran habitat. Big stands of cottonwood trees are met after a short distance up creek and continue throughout the three miles. There are places where the cottonwood stands are thick and then there are locations where they are more sparsely spread out along the creek in midst of the desert. This habitat mix will give Fish Creek good birding at all times throughout the year. Regardless of what birds are seen, the trip down to this amazing scenic area is worth the trip alone!

Birding Tip: This would be a great and interesting place to bird in all seasons. If able, try birding in the creek bed for better results. Walking along the Apache Trail to bird Fish Creek is a good way to go as well. There is a lot of ground to explore throughout the three miles of Fish Creek along the Apache Trail. The Apache Trail can be very rough a lot of the time, use caution when driving this dirt road. Once reaching Fish Creek, the Apache Trail heads in the north direction before turning in the east direction. The creek has a few forks, some east and west. Any of these forks may hold productive birding. See the maps page under the "Pages" section on this pages.

Directions: Fish Creek meets up with the Apache Trail at mile marker 224 and goes for several miles close to mile marker 227. When coming toward Fish Creek, the road starts to drop into the steep canyons and mountains at mile marker 222. Once reaching level ground, a bridge crosses Fish Creek which is the first crossing of the creek with the Apache Trail, which is very close to mile marker 224.

Pages:

Fish Creek Maps

Scenes and Sights from Fish Creek:

Fish Creek Maps *All maps property of Google. Map # 1: Getting to Fish Creek. Fish Creek meets up with the Apache Trail at mile marker 224 and goes for several miles close to mile marker 227. When coming towards Fish Creek, the road starts to drop into the steep canyons and mountains at mile marker 222. Once reaching level ground, a bridge crosses Fish Creek which is the first crossing of the creek with the Apache Trail, which is very close to mile marker 224.

Tortilla Flat

Fast Flight Facts

Target Species: Desert species

Elevation: 1700'

Habitat: Lower Sonoran Desert with a flowing creek and some riparian habitat

Overall Birding Rating: 2

Difficulty: 1-3 (Easy to Moderate)

Birding Type: Moderate Hiking

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, restaurant, camping

Fees/Ownership: None, part of the Tonto National Forest

Closest Town or City/How far from Phoenix: Apache Junction /40 miles east-northeast of Phoenix

Getting there: Accessed by turnoffs and pull offs from the Apache Trail

Overview: Only two miles east of Canyon Lake on the Apache Trail is Tortilla Flat, which may be a convenient stop for birders with limited birding time or a place for camping. Most of Tortilla Flat consists of Sonoran Desert, with the exception of Tortilla Creek flowing through the area. Nice riparian habitat can be found along the creek. This would be a good place to visit in migration or early in the morning for viewing desert birds. Tortilla Campground is also here. This is a nice 75 spot campground which may be a good place to stay at if wanting to bird the Apache Trail over the course of a few days. This is a very crowded place however on the weekends, as there are a few shops and a restaurant. People crowd here quickly, and unless it is an early morning stop, avoid Tortilla Flat completely on weekends. This area too has scenic beauty and can potentially be a productive place to explore that is close by to Canyon Lake.

Birding Tip: As mentioned above, come early to bird this place. Migration periods would be the best time to bird Tortilla Flat, which is often too crowded for birding in the afternoon. This is a close stop for an additional place to bird near Canyon Lake if not wanting to drive the rough roads of the Apache Trail. Try birding the creek as well as the campground loop.

Directions: Tortilla Flat is only two miles east of Canyon Lake on the Apache Trail near mile marker 214-215.

Pages:

Tortilla Flat Maps

Scenes and Sights from Tortilla Flat:

Tortilla Flat Maps *All maps property of Google. Map # 1: Getting to Tortilla Flat. Tortilla Flat is only two miles east of Canyon Lake on the Apache Trail near mile marker 214-215.

Canyon Lake

Fast Flight Facts

Target Species: Regular and rare water species as well as desert species

Elevation: 1670'

Habitat: Open reservoir with surrounding desert canyons and mountains

Overall Birding Rating: 3

Difficulty: 1-2 (Easy to Fairly Easy)

Birding Type: Boating, Walking and Scanning, Get Out and Scan, Easy Hiking

Facilities: Parking, restrooms, marina with boat rentals

Fees/Ownership: Six dollar Tonto National Forest Fee

Closest Town or City/How far from Phoenix: Apache Junction /37 miles east-northeast of Phoenix

Getting there: Reached by different parking areas and pull offs along the Apache Trail

Overview: The beautiful Canyon Lake almost "leads off" the amazing scenic drive of the Apache Trail. Overshadowed by tall cliffs and desert hills, Canyon Lake is very scenic itself, and sets the tone for the rest of the Apache Trail adventure. The lake especially has more beautiful views in the morning light when the sun is first coming up. Canyon Lake has a lot of open water to scope out, and there are many convenient viewing spots and pull offs to scan the lake. Apart from viewing and birding the open waters, Canyon Lake also has several peaceful coves, as well as good mesquite habitat in some of the recreation and camping areas. Birding wise, this lake is best to be birded from late fall through early spring for migrating and wintering waterbirds. Among the waterbirds to be found, Canyon Lake is highly favored by grebes. Watch for Western and Clark's Grebes, as well as the common Eared and Pied-billed Grebes, and possibly a more rare Horned Grebe. The surrounding desert is excellent for viewing desert birds, and the coves and mesquite habitat will be good places to look for different migrants during the spring and fall. This is one of the reservoirs created by the Salt River.

Birding Tip: Bring a scope to view the lake. Besides the recreation areas of the lake, there are many convenient pull offs along the Apache Trail that overlook the lake. This is a good way to bird the lake and avoid a fee.

Directions: On accessing the beginning route to the Apache Trail, refer to the main Apache Trail page. Once on the Apache Trail, Canyon Lake is ten miles past the intersection of Lost Dutchman Boulevard and Apache Trail (Highway 88), starting at mile marker 209 and continuing for a few miles through the recreation area of the lake. There are many pull offs and recreation areas to park and bird.

Pages:

Canyon Lake Maps

Canyon Lake eBird Data

Scenes and Sights from Canyon Lake:

Birdlife of Canyon Lake:

Horned Grebe (Rare but annual visitor)

Canyon Lake Maps *All maps property of Google. Map # 1: Overlook of Canyon Lake

Apache Trail

Area 3-Apache Trail

The beautiful and rugged Apache Trail is rated as one of America's top scenic drives. This forty-five mile route passes through canyons and cliffs with amazing views of the surrounding mountains. These mountains tower over the Salt River and two desert reservoirs that are created by the river. Lower Sonoran Desert hills fill the majority of the overall habitat of the Apache Trail drive. Riparian habitat is met after driving down the tall mountains to the shady canyons of Fish Creek. Sycamores and cottonwoods line the creek, and the beauty of this area is worth the drive alone. Other than the Apache Trail's breathtaking views, the birding also adds significantly to the enjoyment. Expect a variety of species on this route: wintering waterbirds, Lower Sonoran Desert species, as well as riparian species in the limits of Fish Creek. If you want birding combined with an extreme high of adventure, then the Apache Trail is calling your name...