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Peoria, Arizona (June 3, 2017) There are more than 30 bike trails covering 300+ miles in my hometown of Peoria. This day, I rode my mountain bike northeast along the Beardsley Canal.
The canal was named for William H. Beardsley, whose company built the 30-mile long canal that stretched south from beautiful Lake Pleasant to irrigate farms and ranches in Maricopa County. The trail was mostly hardpack dirt, although in places I had to be mindful of larger rocks. About six miles into my ride, I looked to my right after I passed an elevated viaduct and spotted what appeared to be shimmering blue water. Was it a desert mirage? My inquiring mind wanted to know, so I left the trail and rode through scrub. Soon, I “discovered” a scenic lake created when water from the underground aquifer filled an abandoned gravel pit. The lake was lined with green shrubs and trees. There were reeds growing near the shoreline. A flock of ducks glided across the water. Mother Nature had transformed an eyesore into a beautiful oasis in the desert! I’ve ridden this trail several times since – it remains one of my favorites. |
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