Ashurst Lake
Encyclopedia
Ashurst Lake is a small lake
located on the Anderson Mesa
20 miles (32.2 km) southeast of Flagstaff
. It is one of the few natural lakes in the state of Arizona
, the bulk of which reside in the area.
Unlike similarly sized lakes in the North Central Arizona
region, Ashurst is fed by more reliable springs
and has a reputation for retaining water even during long dry periods. The lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout
and thus a common destination for local anglers. Ashurst Lake is also considered a favorable fishing location for Northern Pike. The facilities are maintained under the authority of the Coconino National Forest
.
The lake has two campgrounds, Ashurst Lake on the west shore and Forked Pine on the east shore.
Lake
A lake is a body of relatively still fresh or salt water of considerable size, localized in a basin, that is surrounded by land. Lakes are inland and not part of the ocean and therefore are distinct from lagoons, and are larger and deeper than ponds. Lakes can be contrasted with rivers or streams,...
located on the Anderson Mesa
Anderson Mesa
Lowell Observatory, Anderson Mesa Station, USA, was established in 1959 as a dark-sky observing site for Lowell Observatory. Anderson Mesa is now home to several large reflecting telescopes that are used for observing programs such as LONEOS...
20 miles (32.2 km) southeast of Flagstaff
Flagstaff, Arizona
Flagstaff is a city located in northern Arizona, in the southwestern United States. In 2010, the city's population was 65,870. The population of the Metropolitan Statistical Area was at 134,421 in 2010. It is the county seat of Coconino County...
. It is one of the few natural lakes in the state of Arizona
Arizona
Arizona ; is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States. It is also part of the western United States and the mountain west. The capital and largest city is Phoenix...
, the bulk of which reside in the area.
Unlike similarly sized lakes in the North Central Arizona
North Central Arizona
North Central Arizona is a geographical region of Arizona. It is in the Transition Zone between the Basin and Range province and the Colorado Plateau, and has some of the most rugged and scenic landscapes in Arizona....
region, Ashurst is fed by more reliable springs
Spring (hydrosphere)
A spring—also known as a rising or resurgence—is a component of the hydrosphere. Specifically, it is any natural situation where water flows to the surface of the earth from underground...
and has a reputation for retaining water even during long dry periods. The lake is regularly stocked with rainbow trout
Rainbow trout
The rainbow trout is a species of salmonid native to tributaries of the Pacific Ocean in Asia and North America. The steelhead is a sea run rainbow trout usually returning to freshwater to spawn after 2 to 3 years at sea. In other words, rainbow trout and steelhead trout are the same species....
and thus a common destination for local anglers. Ashurst Lake is also considered a favorable fishing location for Northern Pike. The facilities are maintained under the authority of the Coconino National Forest
Coconino National Forest
The Coconino National Forest is a 1.856-million acre United States National Forest located in northern Arizona in the vicinity of Flagstaff. Originally established in 1898 as the "San Francisco Mountains National Forest Reserve", the area was designated a U.S...
.
The lake has two campgrounds, Ashurst Lake on the west shore and Forked Pine on the east shore.