Location Description: |
The route around the lake is a fairly level dirt pathway that, for the most part, stays within a few yards of the water. There are a couple of places, however, where the route climbs rather steeply over high rocky bluffs and the trail becomes a slightly exposed, narrow passage 50 or 60 feet above the lake's surface.
The easiest place to start this hike is from the parking area near the store and boat launch on the southeast shore of the lake; go counterclockwise. <br><br>(However, if you just want to go to the dam and back, it's shorter to go clockwise.)
The first 300 yards is a paved, shoreline sidewalk that passes a couple of rest benches - fine places to sit and enjoy the serenity of the area.
As the trail bends west, then north, around the Lakeview Campground area, you're almost directly across from the dam.
Although the trail becomes faint in places, it's always easy to find your way. When the lake's water level is just a few feet low, as it currently is, look for shortcut routes across some of the dry inlets.
After a long, scenic meander to the north, the trail bends back to the south, eventually leading directly across the earthen dam. Check out the canyon to the west to get an idea of just how deep the lake is.
Be sure to stay inside the fence as you detour around the spillway, which lies a little beyond the dam. As you curve back to the east you gain good views of the store and boat ramp area.
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Records / History: |
The dam was built by the Arizona Game and Fish Department in 1966.
Three Arizona State Record Fish have come from Parker Canyon Lake
Bullhead, Black New Record<br> Mikki St. George,
Sierra Vista 2 lb. 6.1 oz. 16.5 in.
Black Bull Head
9-Sep-2002 Old Record
Wallace K. Nakagawa, Willcox
2 lb. 4.6 oz. 15.3 in. 8/22/93
Catfish, Channel
Chuck Berndt, Sierra Vista
32 lb. 4.0 oz. 38.75 in. 4/24/87
Sunfish,
Green Paul Bennett, Sierra Vista
1 lb. 9 oz. 11.0 in. 7/27/96
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