The border vidette., 1929-08-10
LAKES IN CoCONlNO FOREST
RESERVE POPULAR

Cral p6rL OF ATlZOn6 are LAKES
| Mary, Mormon and Stoneman,
three large fresh bodies of water
in crater-like basins of the
mountain region known as the
Coconino Forest Reserve.
| These lakes are the largest
natural bodies of water in the
South west. They are located
due south of Flagstaff in the
pine-clad mountain region. and
at attitudes varying from $500
to 1000 feet above sea level.
| Lake Mormon, 20 miles south
of Flagstaff, is the largest of the
three lakes, being Rbout seven
miles long at its greatest length
and about two and one- half miles
wide at it's widest point.
Next in size is Lake Mary,
nine miles south of Flagstaff.
Until recent years, this was the
most popular of all resort areas
lin Arizona, but this coveted
honor has since been won by
Mormon lake.
Stoneman's lake, the most
southern body of the three. also
is the smallest, having a maxi
mum width of about one half
mile. It is almost oval shaped.
Scientists are agreed that the
lake basin was once the cone Of
q volcano, now extinct.
It is through this region that
/ many Arizonans spend their va
cation periods. Camping facili
/ tiles are unexcelled and the play
4 areas unlimited, A wide variety
of outdoor sports is available to
those who spend their leisure
days or weeks in the lake region
A large resort area has been
developed at the northern end OF
Lake Mary, where summer col
onists gather to enjoy the excel
lent swimming. boating and
fishing available from that point.
Splendid camp sites also are
tavailable along the western shore
| line of the lake. but the eastern
and southern shores are less
favorable for campers or vaca
cationists.
| Completion of q good highway
from Lake Mary on south to
Mormon Lake, q distance of
about 20 miles, made the larger
body of water available to the
thousands who have in recent
years spent their outing periods
/ in Arizona.
4 Practically all of the shore line
of Mormon lake is within the
Coconino National Forest re
serve and, in consequence. is
owned by the government. The
Exception is a stretch OF about
one-half mile, owned by indi
| viduals.
| This fact. however. has not
retarded development of the re.
sort idea at Lake Mormon. Quite
| to the contrary, recent years
| have seen extensive develop.
ment at different points around
the lake.
Il At the extreme northern end
of the lake an extensive resort
area has been constructed, in
cluding q number of log cabins
and cottages. Close by is the
largest camping colony in all
Arizona, q government supervis.
ed area having facilities for the
care of about $500 campers. 1t
is estimated that more than 49,.
900 persons camped in the grove
of pines and cedars during the
past summer season, there being
in excess of 1900 encamped there
at one time.
The water supply for the camp
grounds is a natural spring tina,
has it's outlet from the rocky
bluffs fronting on the lake. This
spring water is generally recog
nized as the coolest in the state
coming from the earth at almos,
q freezing temperature, even or
the warmest days.
| Those inclined to roughinp
it, also will find frewood plenti
ful in the surrounding forests
and it is a, task of but a few
hours to gather q weeks supply
of the best cuttings. Usual camI
regulations obtain at this ane
other camp grounds about tht
| lake.
i The shore line all about tht
lake is solid and firm, so camp
ing is possible at almost any
point, though the lack of wate
for domestic purposes make fo
inconveniences at many points.
Mormon lake is probably th'
host stOclxoa with fish Of an,