Apache Trail

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Viewed: 4/28/2024	Page Views: 1261
Topics: #ApacheTrail #Arizona #Hiking #PhoenixArea #Places #Superstitions
All the photos from our drives along the road Teddy Roosevelt called the most scenic in America.

The Apache Trail in Arizona was a stagecoach trail that ran through the Superstition Mountains. It was named after the Apache Indians who originally used this trail to move through the Superstition Mountains.

The current Apache Trail links Apache Junction at the edge of the Greater Phoenix area, with Theodore Roosevelt Lake, through the Superstition Mountains and the Tonto National Forest.

Most of the Apache Trail is unpaved, turning into a dirt road a few miles up from Tortilla Flat, and continuing as such for nearly the full remainder of its length.

The Trail winds steeply through 40 miles of rugged desert mountains, past deep reservoir lakes Canyon Lake and Apache Lake. The narrow, winding road is unpaved from just east of the town of Tortilla Flat to Roosevelt Dam; there are steep cliff drops and few safety barriers. The trail requires caution when driving and it is not recommended for large RVs, SUVs, or caravans. Some large RV rental companies in the US do not allow their vehicles to be taken on this route.

Apache Trail

By: Paul S. Cilwa			Page Views: 954
Topics: #ApacheTrail #Arizona #ArizonaStateRoute88 #CanyonLake #LakeRoosevelt #SaltRiver
A drive through the Superstition Mountains along Arizona's historic Apache Trail.

Between 1903 and 1911, Arizona's Salt River was "tamed" via the construction of the Roosevelt Dam. Named after Teddy Roosevelt, the dam was dedicated by him in 1909. The road that had been built along the Salt River to facilitate the building of the dam followed the canyon outlines, including forays into many side canyons and switchbacks up and down the canyon walls. Roosevelt said it was the most beautiful drive in the world, combining "aspects of Grand Canyon, the Rockies," and other world-famous vistas of the time. So Michael and I took my mom, who was born just 3 years after the dedication, to ride along this historic (and still unpaved) road.

Apache Trail Hike

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Posted: 1/4/2007	Page Views: 942
Topics: #ApacheTrail #Arizona #Hiking
I take some kids up on the Apache Trail.

We celebrated New Years' Day by going on a short hike. Not only was the hike short, but also most of the hikers. Present were Zachary, my grandson, his friends Lane, Brittany, Ashley and Billy, and me. The youngest was Ashley (6); the oldest was her brother, Billy (11). I decided to head out along the Apache Trail into the Superstition mountains, which begins not far from our house.

Superstitions Hike

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Posted: 1/21/2008	Page Views: 1048
Topics: #Arizona #Hiking #SuperstitionMountains #Zachary
I take my grandson and his friend for a hike in the Superstition Mountains.

Today I found myself with an unexpected (and enforced) day off. Not every business closes shop for Martin Luther King's day, so I was surprised to find that mine did (especially since we'd just had both New Year's Eve and New Year's Day off). Even so, I would have gone into work because, as a "temp", I do not get paid for holidays. But the building was closed.

Superstition Mountains

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Posted: 8/15/2009	Page Views: 1452
Topics: #Arizona #Photography #Places #SuperstitionMountains
Michael and I celebrate my sister-in-law's birthday with a trip through the Superstition Mountains.

One of our favorite day trips is along the Apache Trail through the breathtaking Superstition Mountains. Today, in a belated celebration of Michael's sister, Surya's, birthday, we made that trip again.

Canyon Lake Sunset

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 9/27/2013	Page Views: 1102
Topics: #Arizona #CanyonLake #SuperstitionMountains
Keith and I take sunset shots for his film class.

For an upcoming assignment, my friend Keith needed some sunset photos and suggested that we run up to Canyon Lake in the Superstition Mountains to take them. Did he have to twist my arm? Not hardly!

Apache Trail with Danes

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 10/2/2018	Page Views: 1414
Topics: #ApacheTrail #Arizona #Places #Superstitions
Today we took Danish friends to experience the beautiful Superstition Mountains via the scenic Apache Trail.

We have visitors from Denmark: Michael's nephew, Allan, and Allan's besties Jakob and Iben. As Keith and I love showing off our beloved Arizona, we happily participated in touring my favorite sites in the state, including the beautiful Superstition Mountains, Canyon Lake, and Tortilla Flat, all from the vantage point of the old Apache Trail.

New Year's Day in the Superstitions

By: Paul S. Cilwa	Occurred: 1/1/2019	Page Views: 1084
Topics: #Places #Superstitions
A short drive to Canyon Lake to see the results of last night's snowfall.

New Year's Eve came and went and left a heavy dusting of snow on the higher elevations. The nearest place to see it, for us, was a drive into the Superstition Mountains. We only had to go as far as Canyon Lake to get a generous supply of photos of the rare event.