Scenic Drive - Canyon Lake AZ

One of my favorite rides near Gold Canyon AZ

is the trip out to Canyon Lake and all our out-of-state

visitors get to see it up close and personal...

Hwy 88 takes us where we want to go

as we pass by the Superstition Mtns and in particular
the "Praying Hands" formation, to the far left.    We've hiked
the area often.  The trail leads right up between the "hands"
and the Mountain offering a great lunch spot and a beautiful view!

This green lichen is unique to AZ and

still amazingly green in July.

Time for a geocaching stop

& Don finds it while standing on a few boulders.
It's only 97 degrees today.

Watch out - one lane bridge ahead.

The lake is near it's high water mark and very
green around the edge as the rising water greets the brush line.

No hiking today due to the massive Woodbury fire that came too close 
and is still smoldering close by.   Fortunately we've hiked
it before, several times.    However someone I know,
who's a geocacher, ventured out a few feet.  

Every direction you look there are unique
and interesting rock formations. 

 And the return trip is just as interesting as the
drive out to the lake...

Especially this formation!!!
 Yippee - no cooking tonight...