WHITE HORSE LAKE

PHOTOGRAPHS BY THE AUTHOR Some summer most of us here in Arizona start thinking about cool, clear water, lofty pine trees and a quiet place to dangle a fishing line. Back in 1934 the citizens of Williams must have had the same idea. They figured a lake recreation site might be a wonderful thing for all to enjoy. They put their heads together and found an ideal spot on the Sycamore River, only eighteen miles south of Williams which is located on Route 66 at an altitude of 6762 feet. They raised enough money to clear the land of timber and to build a dam which would create a resevoir of clear mountain water to cover approximately seventy-five acres. Captain J.B. Wright was sent to the spot to make a survey. The day he arrived he was greeted by a lone white horse, peacefully grazing at the present lake site. So White Horse Lake received its name and official boundaries all in the same project. The clearing work was soon completed with the aid of some heavy equipment loaned by the Kaibab National Forest. The dam held tight through the heavy winter and the impact of melting snow. By the spring of 1935 a new man-made lake was ready to provide a home for many thousands of fish raised at the Paige Springs Fish Hatchery on Oak Creek. Large-Mouthed Bass, Rainbow Trout and Channel Cat Fish now abound in the cool depths of this beautiful lake. The lake is stocked with regularity throughout the summer and a hopeful Izaak Walton, equipped with adequate fishing gear and proper fishing license should have no trouble in catching the permitted limit.

Twenty years ago, when the area was opened, there were no modern facilities; just a beautiful lake brimming with fish. The lake and fish are still there and they have added one of the finest camping areas in the state. Most of the credit is due to Ross and Myrtle Dykes.

Ross Dykes was born in the Cherokee Indian Territory in Oklahoma and came out to Arizona in 1911. Ross and his wife Myrtle paid their first visit to White Horse Lake in 1945 and came back each year until 1952 when they decided to make it their permanent home. They both are avid nature lovers with a particular affinity for animal life. Ross serves as a ranger within the recreational area and maintains the high standards for game preservation set by the state. The Dykes obtained a permit from the Forest Service to build a rustic lodge which houses a small old-fashioned country store where one can buy fishing tackle and all staple food items. They also built eight rental cabins which are available at $5 per night. There is an area reserved for trailers plus twenty-one camp sites at fifty cents per night. They furnish wood, running water, a picnic table and clean toilet facilities. Each camp site has its own open fireplace and cooking grate. Apparently nothing has been overlooked and if it has, just ask the Dykes and I'm sure they can get it for you.

The lodge usually opens about May 1st depending on the weather and stays open until after the hunting season which is about when the first flurry of snow comes to the north country. The area is popular with hunters as there is lots of game in this famous Kaibab region, including deer, antelope, elk, lion, bobcat, duck and quail. If you are lucky enough to get one of the 3000 Bill Williams special hunt permits it is fairly sure your hunting trip will be a success. Ross Dyke says that "most everyone gets their deer," and that sounds like a pretty strong recommendation.

White Horse Lake isn't a place that needs a whole lot of advertising. In fact Mrs. Dykes says that soon "you'll have to bring along your own rock in order to have something to stand on." Doubtless a slight exaggeration, but twenty thousand visitors put in an appearance last year and they keep on coming. Additional facilities are being built and there is plenty of room for all.

So if fishing or hunting is your cup of tea, you'll find plenty of both in this delightful spot high up in the rim country. If you just want a pleasant place to relax and take it easy, you'll enjoy the lake and the surrounding country. The swimming is excellent and you can rent a boat and take a leisurely row around the lake. If that's to strenuous you can sit on the front porch and have a pleasant chat with Ross and Myrtle or gaze off at the distant San Francisco Peaks which tower over Northern Arizona. In fact that's what I did most of the time I was there because that front porch has become a permanent gathering place for a wide variety of small animals, squirrels, chipmunks and about ten species of colorful birds all accustomed to a daily handout of cornmeal bread. If you like to take your dog on your travels, that's fine. But please keep him on a leash as the skunks consider the camp grounds their private domain. They tolerate dogs up to a point. Beyond that there might be trouble.