Oh boy, the heat is here! We went from below average to above average temperatures in a snap. Good thing we have awesome options of places to go and cool off. We went to one such place this last weekend. The goal was Mormon Lake up in Flagstaff as Mom read about a hike in the area. All the lakes are full, and the last time we saw it, Mormon Lake was an open field of grass. We were excited to go.
To get there, head North on I-17 and take exit 306 for Stoneman Lake Road and turn right. The road is paved, but it is bumpy since it is old. The road will turn to a flat, dirt road with washboards. Most cars should be okay on it, but your vehicle will get dusty. At the “T,” you will turn left. Continue until the next “T” and turn left on Lake Mary Road. This is paved and will take you to the entrance of Mormon Lake, and you will turn left once more.
Mormon Lake is an RV community with camping options and some cabins. It is like a little town in the middle of nowhere! Yes, the lake was full of water, but we weren’t impressed. It is still a field; it just has water in it. The only trail wasn’t even near the lake, so once again, you can’t believe everything you read on the internet! Mom and Dad explored a little bit and found a camping store, pizza place, restaurant, public showers with restrooms, and horseback riding rentals. If you have an RV, you might want to explore it.
Since we weren’t inspired, we opted to head back to Stoneman Lake, which we drove past on our way to 
Mormon Lake. Dad and I drove by the lake once before when Mom was on a trip, but we didn’t stop then. The beauty of Stoneman Lake is you don’t have to go as far North as even Munds Park, no less Flagstaff. That means you miss all the road construction! The directions are same except you only go 8 miles total on the Stoneman Lake road, and the picnic overlook will be on your left. It is only 1 ½ hours from North Phoenix whereas Mormon Lake is 2 hours.
We back tracked and got the best spot with a spectacular view of the lake. Dad set up the shade tarp over the picnic table, and we had a yummy lunch. The Stoneman Lake overview has free parking, three picnic tables, and a human restroom. We weren’t by the water but enjoyed the view, which we thought was much prettier than Mormon Lake.
Most of the shore is private as many homes have been built by the lake. Stoneman Lake hasn’t had water in it for a very long time, so we were excited to see it. Two trails come off the picnic area—one on either side. We went to the left first, and it leads you to the dirt road down to the lake. The one on the right takes you straight down to the lake. It is steep and rocky. I was totally game and was doing fine, but Dad reminded me I would have to climb back UP that steep incline, so we turned around while I still had gas in my tank.
We settled in to relax so I could cool off. Mom and Dad read their books. We were the only ones there, and we enjoyed the sounds of nature. As the afternoon went by, people would come and go to take pictures of the lake. When a large group of people came in, that was our cue to exit. Dad packed up the car, and we drove down the dirt road to the lake. You get back on Stoneman Lake, turn right, and take the first right. You’ll see a sign “Private Road” that goes straight, and you will turn right once again and drive to the shore.
The only access is an old boat ramp. I was getting ready to go in for a swim when Dad stopped me. A snake
was swimming. What? A swimming snake!?! Eeeek. That is just creepy. We waited and let it swim on by, and then I took my dip. While I was in there, I felt things around my feet. Little baby frogs were everywhere. They were cute fellows and quite friendly.
I was cool for the drive home, and we left the same way we came. We were on I-17 South in no time, and we didn’t encounter much traffic on the way home. We will definitely be back! What a find. Although our original adventure was Mormon Lake, our Plan B turned out to be much nicer and closer. Let this be a reminder to always be flexible and open to the possibilities. Stay cool my dear readers!
My mom, Lorraine Bossé-Smith, is kind enough to help me share my Great Adventures, big and small. My mom is a motivational speaker, corporate trainer, executive recruiter, business consultant, coach, fitness expert, and author of nine published books. More importantly, she’s the best doggy mom ever!
Enjoy my blog at https://www.lorrainebosse-smith.com/category/kuma/kumas-great-adventures/
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