Our Butcher Jones Trail Hike: Gorgeous Views, Crowds, and the One Thing We Forgot

Butcher Jones Trail at Saguaro Lake: Beautiful Views, Big Crowd, and a Lesson We Needed

We have done the Butcher Jones Trail before. It is one of those steady, feel good hikes that usually lands in the “moderate to easy” zone for us.

This time was different.

Not because the trail was harder. The trail was the trail.
It was different because the morning was rough.

We did not feel great right out of the gate. Bathroom issues. Fueling issues. Slight fatigue from lack of restful sleep the night before. The kind of stuff nobody puts in the cute highlight reel, but everybody deals with at some point.

And even with plenty of water, we still learned the same desert lesson the hard way.

Water is not enough when it is warmer than you planned. We needed more salt.

The scene was worth it

Even with the rough start, Saguaro Lake showed off.

The water was glassy and deep blue. Desert green wrapped around the shoreline. Saguaros stood like quiet trail guards. There were patches of soft yellow wildflowers, and wide open sky that makes your shoulders drop about two inches.

At a few points, we could spot distant peaks, including Four Peaks on the horizon. That view never gets old.

The truth about the rough morning

Here is what made the day feel harder than it needed to.

1) Bathroom trouble changes everything

If you start a hike feeling backed up, cramped, or “not settled,” your whole body feels louder. Your pace feels harder. Your mood drops faster. Even easy inclines feel annoying.

It is not weakness. It is just biology.

2) Fueling felt off

We had what we needed, but our bodies did not feel like they accepted it smoothly in the morning. When your stomach is unsettled, even your normal snacks can feel wrong at the wrong time.

3) We hit more heat than we wanted

We made great time. We even rested for an hour. But we still spent a chunk of the hike in the hottest part of the day.

That is where the salt lesson showed up.

What we did right (because give yourself credit)

• We had plenty of water.
• We were prepared with supplies.
• We paced well and still made great time.
• We listened to our bodies enough to take a real rest break.

That is a win. Now we just sharpen the system.

What we will do next time (simple fixes that actually matter)

1) Sleep and rest are part of the hike

If you want a strong hike, the hike starts the night before.

Simple rule: if sleep is short, keep the hike shorter or start earlier and slower.
Heat plus low sleep is the combo that makes small problems feel big.

Prep the night before

• Lay out clothes, socks, hat, sunscreen.
• Pre fill water bottles and put them in the fridge.
• Pack snacks in a grab bag so you are not scrambling in the morning.

Less scrambling equals less stress. Less stress helps digestion too.

2) Pre fuel without upsetting your stomach

For warm weather hikes, I like a pre fuel that is:

• Simple
• Light
• Familiar
• Not too greasy
• Not a fiber bomb right before the trail

Good pre hike options

• Banana + a few salted nuts
• Oats made with water + chia or hemp, small portion
• Toast or a simple wrap with a little sunflower butter
• Yogurt or cottage cheese if that works well for you

What to avoid right before hiking

• Huge high fat meals
• Brand new snacks you have not tested
• Very high fiber meals right before the trail if constipation is already an issue

3) Bathroom prep that does not feel like a science project

A calm digestive morning usually comes from consistency.

The night before

• Hydrate earlier, not all at bedtime.
• Include vegetables and fiber at dinner, not just protein.
• If you know constipation is likely, keep dinner lighter and earlier.

The morning

• Warm drink helps many people. Coffee or tea works for some.
• Give yourself time. Do not rush from bed to car to trail.
• A short walk at the trailhead before you start can help things “move.”

And if your body is off, it is totally fine to shorten the route. Pride is not the goal. Feeling good is the goal.

The big lesson: water plus salt, not water alone

When it is warmer, you sweat out sodium. If you only replace water, you can feel sluggish, headachy, weak, or crampy.

Easy ways to add salt on a hike

• Electrolyte packets in at least one bottle
• A small salty snack every so often
• Salted nuts or salted pistachios
• Olives in a small container
• Crackers or pretzels
• Jerky if you eat it, but you do not need it

Simple guideline: For warm hikes, add a steady trickle of sodium instead of waiting until you feel terrible.

If someone has blood pressure or heart or kidney issues, they should follow their clinician’s guidance on sodium. For everyone else, this is often the missing piece.

What to snack on, based on seasonal challenges

Warmer days

You want snacks that are easier to digest and help hydration.

Best picks

• Electrolytes + water
• Fruit like oranges or grapes
• Applesauce pouch
• Salted nuts in smaller amounts
• Rice cakes with a little nut butter
• Trail mix, but keep it lighter and salt forward

Cooler days

You can handle more dense snacks.

Best picks

• Nut seed balls
• Trail mix with dried fruit
• A wrap half
• Roasted chickpeas
• Dark chocolate squares
• Hot tea in a thermos if you want comfort fuel

One smart move: test snacks on smaller hikes first. Keep a tiny notes list in your phone. What worked, what did not.

Crowds and senior hiking groups: still fun, just different

This hike had a lot of people, including several senior hiking groups. I honestly love seeing that. It is proof that movement does not expire.

Crowds can make the trail feel more challenging though, even when the terrain is easy.

Trail flow tips

• Start earlier if you want more quiet.
• Take breaks slightly off trail to let groups pass.
• Treat it like part of the experience, not a problem to fight.

When the vibe is friendly, it actually makes the day feel lighter.

The takeaway

This hike was beautiful. We still enjoyed it. We still made great time. We still got that Saguaro Lake magic.

But the day also reminded us of something simple and powerful:

Good hikes are built on boring basics. Sleep, pre fuel, and salt.

Next time we will bring the same joy, the same steady pace, and a smarter plan for heat and hydration so the morning feels good, not rough.

And yes, we will still pause when Four Peaks shows up in the distance, because that view is always worth it.

Quick checklist for next time (copy paste)

Night before

• Earlier dinner
• Hydrate earlier in the evening
• Pack snacks and electrolytes
• Chill water bottles
• Set start time that avoids peak heat

Morning

• Warm drink
• Light pre fuel
• Leave extra time for bathroom
• Start slow for the first 10 minutes

On trail

• Water plus electrolytes
• Salty snack rotation
• Shade breaks
• Shorten route if heat ramps up

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We keep all our hiking trips, scenic adventures, and travel notes organized right here in our Travel and Adventure tag: https://www.plantbasedflex.com/tag/travel-adventure/

Disclaimer:
This content is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diet, supplements, or lifestyle, especially if you have existing conditions or take medication.

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