Day Trails in and around Phoenix

[GG Beast]

OK so I know this SW section doesn't get used... ever, but thought I'd try to start a thread for my benefit, and HOPE some other locals chime in? I'd love a list of fun day runs in and around the Phoenix valley. If you have any suggestions, please tell about them! Please include:

Trail name
Trail start location
Trail distance
Difficulty rating and condition when you were on it last
Other pertinent comments (permits, gates, water crossings, etc.)

Looking forward to a great list!

 

[GG Beast]

Went on a few trails today in Northern AZ, all around Cottonwood/Sedona. First was:

Trail: Soldier Pass
Start Location: Just past the intersection of Soldier Pass Rd and Rim Shadows Drive off 89A
Distance: about 2 miles round trip - short but pretty!
Trail is rated moderate to adventurous. I'd probably agree - my 4R did great on it!
The trail has some great little spurs off of it: Seven Pools and Devils Kitchen Sinkhole


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Second Trail we went on was:

Trail: Dry Creek Basin
Start Location: 2 miles up Dry Creek Road off 89A
Distance is about 11 miles round trip
Trail is rated Easy to Moderate. I'd agree
The trail has several little spurs off it, one is the Devil's Bridge which is about a mile hike. We did not make it on the hike because we ended up being at the wrong spot to catch it. There is also the VanDeren Cabin which was pretty cool and you've got some slightly challenging areas to navigate over to get to it. I'm totally glad I had the SW bumper; even though it never made contact with the rock, it definitely helped with the approach angles!

 

[DESERT RAT ORC]

You should come by our store and take a look at the different trail books we offer. They have tons of trails and full GPS coordinates and hwy directions.
My name is Chris and I work at our Tempe location. 480-838-7800

 

[illzoni]

You should come by our store and take a look at the different trail books we offer. They have tons of trails and full GPS coordinates and hwy directions.
My name is Chris and I work at our Tempe location. 480-838-7800

Chris,

Does the Tucson (Palo Verde) store have the same?

Thx,
Jon

 

[4RUN7]

hey i want to start a 4runner club and i was thinking of doing some trails by 56th st and dynamite this weekend on the 26th for a pre meeting of the club.

 

[GG Beast]

Hi 4RUN7,

I think starting a 4Runner club is a great idea and I'd love to join one here locally, however I already have holiday plans this weekend. If you get the club up and running, let me know.

I see that you haven't posted much - you should tell us a bit about yourself and your 4Runner and list some of your favorite trail runs (or level of difficulty you enjoy).

 

[GG Beast]

LOVE my 4Runner!

We took my 4Runner out to the Sedona area again today to do some more of the trails in the area. First one we did was the Broken Arrow Trail followed up by the Oak Creek Homestead Trail.

Broken Arrow:
Trail starts on Morgan road just south of the 179/89A intersection in Sedona
Trail distance is 4 miles round trip
The trail is rated difficult due to the 'the steps' but it was a great trail! Really great scenery all around. The trail had some challenges, but it's really the steps that make it so difficult. I was really impressed at how well my 4Runner did on it! The trail was in pretty good condition since the Pink Jeep Tour Co. maintains the road, however the recent rains made the rocks pretty slick.

The 'Steps':


Another fairly challenging spot on the Broken Arrow Trail:


Oak Creek Homestead Trail:
Trail starts off the 89A between mile markers 368 and 369 (Lower Red Rock Loop Road)
The distance is 8 miles round trip
The trail is rated moderate, and I mostly agree. The directions we had for it weren't great and there are some intimidating spots, but nothing my 4Runner couldn't handle. There is a section described in our trail book as 'a steep shelf road that is the toughest spot on the trail' and it was the toughest spot, but there were some big rocks to crawl over. This trail contained quite a bit more mud on it than the Broken Arrow Trail. Either way, was fun, but much more deserted than most of the other trails we've been on.

going up the 'difficult' spot:


Miniature 4Runner?!?:


Cheers!

 

[GG Beast]

Had a great day out on the trails. We started at the Crown King Rock and made our way to FS192 and beyond to Wagoner Road. It was a pretty full day but it was a lot of fun. The run was put on by the AZ Land Cruiser Club. We had a total of 12 vehicles on the run; 3 4Runners, 1 Jeep, 1 Toyota Truck, 3 80-Series Land Cruiser, 1 60-Series Land Cruiser, 3 40-Series Land Cruisers.

What was great about the route we took is that it was suitable for all skill levels. There were some pretty tricky areas, but they all had bypasses for the less built, daily drivers (like mine!)

There are more pictures at the link in my signature.

 

[Casper421]

Sweet pics! Looks like alot of fun! I like the twins in the last picture.

 

[GG Beast]

Took a ride to Wickenburg, AZ and ran a couple short trails today and had a great time! The first was the Box Canyon of the Hassayampa and the second was the Stanton Ghost Town Trail.

The Hassayampa of the Box Canyon Trail starts just of the 93 and a turn North on to Rincon Road which you just follow up the river. It is a loop trail however we did not complete the loop because we went a bit further on Rincon Road to connect up with the start of the Stanton Ghost Town Trail. Here's the information:

Trail Name: Hassayampa of the Box Canyon Trail
Start location: Just off the 93, Turn North on Rincon Road
Trail Distance: Just under 13 miles if you do the entire loop
Difficulty: There was a shallow stream running through the riverbed and some parts of deep sand. Trail Guide says it's a 4 out of 10. I would agree. Definitely beneficial to air down the tires and have the high clearance.
Other Info: There's a cool campground area in a little slot canyon off to the left of the trail. You can't miss it, and would be a great picnic spot although I'm not sure I'd want to camp there if there is any chance of rain. It looks like it would flood out quick.

Trail Name:The Stanton Ghost Town Trail
Start Location: Middle of no-where - This one you'd have to look up GPS Coordinates for or go at it backwards from the 89 a bit north of the 71 intersection.
Trail Distance: 14 miles one way
Difficulty: Easy - grated dirt road 75% of the trail, the other 25% was easily passable with high clearance, a few minor rock fields. The Guide says it rates 2 out of 10, I would agree.
Other Info: There are lots of remanents of towns and mines - Pay attention to the keep out/private property/no trespassing signs - We got turned around at one point when we were approaching the Weaver mine by an old guy and his dog on an ATV. There is a lot of activity out here, mostly panning for gold and the people seem to be pretty serious. What is left of the Stanton town has been restored and sits right in the middle of the Stanton RV Park.

On the Box Canyon Trail:

 

[downpour11]

I'm lovin the pinstriping! Looks just like mine! Damn cacti

 

[GG Beast]

I'm lovin the pinstriping! Looks just like mine! Damn cacti

My 4R hasn't had a bath since then. I'm hoping most of them will just buff right out. The rain over the weekend didn't help clean it up, though!

 

[GG Beast]

Montana Mountain trip report

We took the 4Runner to Montana Mountain to run the trail. Weather was awesome and the scenery was beautiful. Saw a crested saguaro, which is a pretty rare find. The trail itself leaves just south of Florence Jct. and concludes just west of Superior. The trail rates a 4 (moderately difficult) however in it's current condition I would rate it a 2. It has very recently been grated and is plenty wide in most parts for passing. There are lots of switchbacks but again, very smooth. I hear it can be a bit challenging in the snow and ice but we didn't see any. Other highlights are a few nice lookouts and a stone cabin but watch your step if you wonder around the cabin because there is an open well with a 20ft. drop. Can't upload pics here right now but there are pictures at the link in my signature.

 

[thorrunner]

I know this is an older thread but I'd like to meet up with you guys for some day trips in and around Phoenix. I am getting tired of hanging with the FJ guys!

I've posted on other threads that I usually hit the Saguaro Lake / Sycamore areas and sometimes Lake Pleasant or Table Mesa areas.

I know this is random but I don't work Fridays so I am always available then too.

Hope to meet up with you guys from the Phoenix area!

 

[AZ4FNER]

Hey GG Beast, where are you hanging out these days? This is an older thread, and want to know how to find out about upcoming trail meets, etc...

 

[GG Beast]

Hey GG Beast, where are you hanging out these days? This is an older thread, and want to know how to find out about upcoming trail meets, etc...

Howdy! I post runs when we lead them for the AZLCA and we try to go all over the valley but I haven't gotten much interest from members here. So the question is.. am I just littering the boards with runs that folks aren't interested in or do I continue to post them?

As far as this thread goes, I was trying to keep a running log of various trails and conditions, but again, didn't seem to be much interest. Do I continue or abandon it?

We do take the 4R out quite a bit: We'll be at the Overland Expo next weekend, then we've got a week planned in the Escalante Grand Staircase area around Memorial day. So far this year we've also spent a week in Death Valley, a weekend in Vermillion Cliffs and many other various day runs. And later in the year we're planning a week long trip to Colorado/Ouray area.

Always happy to talk trails and 4Runners though. Speaking of which - It turns out that the Sunflower Mine trail was hit pretty bad with the Sunflower Fire. We had an opportunity to do that trail about a year ago in our FJ40. Tough trail, glad we didn't have our 4R on it, but sad that it's now gone. The mine was really cool.

I actually keep up with my 4Runner blog more than I post here (it's in my signature)

 

[fngfish]

Keep posting please. It's great

 

[AZ4FNER]

We'll be at the Overland Expo next weekend,

Are you camping or staying at the lodge? I'm so bummed about the fire restriction put into effect today. We had planned on camping at Stoneman lake and driving up to the Expo on Saturday. Not sure about camping anymore, but we'll at least drive up on Saturday for the Expo.

Keep posting please. It's great

X2 - I just found your thread. Please keep posting, looking forward to getting together. Maybe we'll see you at the Expo!

 

[absalom]

Howdy! I post runs when we lead them for the AZLCA and we try to go all over the valley but I haven't gotten much interest from members here. So the question is.. am I just littering the boards with runs that folks aren't interested in or do I continue to post them?

As far as this thread goes, I was trying to keep a running log of various trails and conditions, but again, didn't seem to be much interest. Do I continue or abandon it?

We do take the 4R out quite a bit: We'll be at the Overland Expo next weekend, then we've got a week planned in the Escalante Grand Staircase area around Memorial day. So far this year we've also spent a week in Death Valley, a weekend in Vermillion Cliffs and many other various day runs. And later in the year we're planning a week long trip to Colorado/Ouray area.

Always happy to talk trails and 4Runners though. Speaking of which - It turns out that the Sunflower Mine trail was hit pretty bad with the Sunflower Fire. We had an opportunity to do that trail about a year ago in our FJ40. Tough trail, glad we didn't have our 4R on it, but sad that it's now gone. The mine was really cool.

I actually keep up with my 4Runner blog more than I post here (it's in my signature)

GG, I'm totally down to wheel ... with anyone, pretty much anytime (night or day). Just text me at 925.708.7485 when you're planning something

 

[GG Beast]

Keep posting please. It's great

Thanks =)

Are you camping or staying at the lodge? I'm so bummed about the fire restriction put into effect today. We had planned on camping at Stoneman lake and driving up to the Expo on Saturday. Not sure about camping anymore, but we'll at least drive up on Saturday for the Expo.
X2 - I just found your thread. Please keep posting, looking forward to getting together. Maybe we'll see you at the Expo!

We are staying at a cabin and we'll be at the expo on Saturday. Sunday we're planning on doing some trails before heading back to Phx but no idea which ones yet. We've got 2 Cherokees and an FJ with us. I know of at least 1 other 4Runner attending the expo, but pretty sure he's not on this forum. If you see us definitly say hi! We're hard to miss: we've got the only Galactic Grey 4Runner with a 4Plus roofrack and a set of bright orange maxtrax strapped on it. Lots of white stickers on my windows and an unmistakable license plate

The expo was pretty great last year, so hoping for a great weekend!

GG, I'm totally down to wheel ... with anyone, pretty much anytime (night or day). Just text me at 925.708.7485 when you're planning something

Excellent! I'll start posting runs again, though it will probably be pretty quiet this summer. Looking forward to some great fall trips!