After leaving CA we went back to Quartzsite and spent a week taking a vacation from our vacation before moving on to Lake Havasu City AZ. Our main reason for detouring to Lake Havasu City was to see and photograph fireworks (detailed on the next page) that are part of the Western Pyrotechnics Association convention.
Lake Havasu City is also home to the London Bridge, Lake Havasu and scenic beauty. The drive from Quartzsiste is only 85 miles but the scenery changes from flat desert to hilly and mountainous. The route follows the Colorado River as it flows through valleys and canyons and the road twists and turns through a very scenic setting.
London Bridge actually came from London England. It was dismantled, stone by stone, and transported to Lake Havasu City where it was reassembled. The bridge was built in the 1830's and do to increasing traffic and deterioration the bridge needed to be replaced. In 1968 the founder of Lake Havasu City purchased the bridge and brought it here.
We would not have known about the scenic trail at Sara Wash Canyon had it not been for friends who knew the area. We saw no mention of it on maps or tourist brochures. The hike is 4.5 miles round trip and passes through a slot canyon before reaching Lake Havasu. The return trail climbs about 300- 400 feet and runs along a high ridge before returning to the start point. It took us four hours to make the round trip. Two highlights on the hike were a 8' high scooped out rock in the form of slide one must slide down in the slot canyon and a very narrow bridge path on the ridge where both sides fall off very steeply. You definitely get a tickle in your tummy along this part of the trail.
