Live to Camp, Camp to Live

Arizona Outdoorsman / AZOD

Live to Camp, Camp to Live!

By Bill Sweet

Took a camping trip from Friday, June 13 to Saturday, June 21. Just me and my dog in my minivan.

First layover was at Kinnickinick Lake. Stayed four days. That 9-mile dirt road is one of the roughest I've encountered. And, if you ask me, not worth the effort. I found the campground to be dirty and noisy. Perhaps it's the lack of trees, just a few pinion and juniper scattered about. Caught a few trout, but found bottom fishing from shore difficult due to the rocky bottom. Kept getting stuck and losing sinker/hook.

From there went up to North Timp Point on the North Rim of the Grand Canyon. First day was beautiful. I was all alone and the view was awesome! Second day the smoke from the Powell fire laid down into the canyon and over my campsite, and a crew of about eight people moved into the campsite next to me. Overall I found the North Rim not as isolated as I anticipated, there were numerous groups of people camped on every point I visited. Still less crowded than the South Rim, I guess.

Third and final leg of my trip was two days at Kaibab Lake north of Williams. What a great campground! It was full, but still so quiet, because of the beautiful stand of Ponderosa Pines throughout the campground. I believe this is my new favorite campground in the whole state. I felt more "out in the wilderness" than I have in "dispersed" camping areas on the Mogollon Rim or the White Mountains, where it always seems someone ends up camping right next to me! The trout fishing was very good, also!

Just thought I'd share my experience with you. Thanks for a great Web site!

Mesa, AZ