This is a hidden gem. OK, not so hidden. Quite popular in fact. We have lived in this area for years and didn't know about Butcher Jones until a friend took me there. Now, it is a favorite hike.
Butcher Jones is a moderate hike, and around four-to-five miles but scalable. If you only want a couple miles, it works. If you want to increase length, just explore some of the off-shoot trails down to the water.
The amazing views are what set this desert hike apart from most area hikes. Saguaro Lake is beautiful. Kayakers and various boats add visual interest. A variety of wildlife is pleasantly distracting as you pause to take in their activities. Desert plants and marsh cattails provide a interesting melding of desert and water environments, a feast for the eyes. There is even a spot on one of the off-shoot paths that would be a fantastic place to sit in a lawn chair and read a book on a pleasant day.
The pictures above are from a hike with friends back in early November. Papa and I have hiked with other friends and by ourselves a few times since then, but not in the last couple months. It's been a rather cool and rainy time, which means the desert will be blooming soon. Perfect time to hike it again.
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