We are trying this area out tomorrow morning, will update with details after! It's asking me to enter more details already, so for now I'll just let everyone know we drove from Goodyear Arizona (near phoenix) to Payson, where we are staying at the majestic mountain inn. Our room is very clean, and has a nice cozy feel to it. There's a fireplace and nice ceiling decorated with wooden planks. From here I believe its about an hour drive to the launch point at blue ridge reservoir and we plan to spend about a half day paddling the area. Sunday we are looking to do woods canyon lake which is very close to Payson as well, before heading home.