April 16th - 18th, 2018
Solo Experience with the Western Slope 4-Wheelers Club
When Jack and I were in Colorado for two+ years we joined the Western Slope 4-Wheelers club to meet some like minded people and to do some four wheeling with people that know the area. Many friendships were made during those years and since Jack's current job has him back in the Phoenix area we only get to mostly communicate with them through emails and Facebook. So what a surprise when some of the members of the group had planned a four wheeling trip to Apache Junction, AZ. Of course, we were going to run the trails with them or should I say I would be running two days of trails and Jack was lucky enough to take a day from work and lead a trip for a day.
Even though I have driven the Jeep many times it was a little out of my comfort zone to solo drive. The feeling of solo driving is different than at least having a passenger tagging along to offer moral support. All three days were packed with lots of bumpy roads, dust, challenging obstacles, beautiful views, water crossings, history and laughs leaving me feeling fulfilled and more confident in my Jeepin' abilities.
Most of the runs were in the Superstition Mountains area just east of Apache Junction, AZ. (I must make a note and thanks to Ruth, Stella and Helen for taking most of the photos I will share in this post. I was unable to take many photos because I was too busy driving!!) My partners in crime were Jim & Stella, Jim, Howard, Lester & Ruth and Craig & Helen. Many thanks to all of you.
Day 1: Box Canyon, Gila River Loop and some parts of Coke Ovens trails
To get to The Box Canyon trail we drove down Mineral Mountain Road (bumpy) from US Highway 60. The trail itself is an easy trail ultimately traversing through Box Canyon offering views of rock faces, the sandy wash and old stage stop dwelling. We were so lucky to see a Bighorn sheep and we all felt very honored and excited.
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| Trail start point |
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| The Ocotillo were in bloom |
A fun little fact about the Ocotillo which I've always called it the Ocotillo Cactus:
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| Short rest stop |
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| Following Ruth & Lester |
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| Wow - Big Horn Sheep |
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| Desert driving |
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| Our leaders, Jim & Stella taking on the obstacle first |
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| Nice photo of Ruth & Lester's jeep |
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| Some flex from Craig & Helen's jeep |
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| Making my way down the obstacle |
Wait a minute !!!! No one told me that there was a water crossing !!!!!!!! This is where some anxiety hit me but with the help of my friends I made it safely across and darn proud of myself !!!!!
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| Lester & Ruth (except Ruth rode across the river with me) |
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| Come on - you got this - Craig & Helen |
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| Jeepin' in the Gila River |
Awesome first day of wheelin'.
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| Crested Saguaro |
Awesome first day of wheelin'.
Day 2 Apache Trail and Tonto National Monument
The second day Jack planned a bit more relaxing and very scenic drive by travelling the Apache Trail, pass Canyon Lake, Apache Lake, Tortilla Flats and ending at Roosevelt Lake and touring the Tonto National Monument. The Apache Trail road was bumpy but we all enjoyed the scenery and history of the area.
First things first -a stop at the old Goldfield Ghost Town - "I hear they have a good bakery".
As described online the history of Goldfield goes like this. Back in the 1890′s Goldfield boasted 3 saloons, a boarding house, general store, blacksmith shop, brewery, meat market and a school house. Just when it looked like the town would outgrow Mesa, the vein faulted, the grade of ore dropped and the town died a slow painful death. After several unsuccessful attempts to reopen the mines, the town did come to life again from 1910 on and off until 1926. After more than 115 years, travelers from all over the world still visit this gold mining town located on the historic Apache Trail and enjoy the excitement and grandeur of Arizona’s wild west!
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| The Bakery - The apple streusel that we bought for our lunch dessert was VERY GOOD! |
Continuing on down the Apache Trail we stopped at Canyon Lake overview, the marina and then a quick stop at Tortilla Flat, AZ.
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| Canyon Lake in the distance |
Continuing on to Apache Lake where we first had to get down narrow Fish Creek hill then went up and down a lot of switchbacks until we were close enough to the water we could have thrown a fishing line from the Jeep to troll as we drove past the head waters of Apache Lake to the base of Roosevelt Dam, and then made our way up to the intersection of Roosevelt Lake and State Highway 188.
We stopped at a picnic area at Roosevelt Lake and grabbed a bite of lunch before we tackled our hike to the cliff dwelling in the Tonto National Monument.
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| View from picnic area at Roosevelt Lake |
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| We hiked to the Lower Cliff Dwellings in the Tonto National Park |
We hiked approximately 1 mile around trip (very steep going up, nice & easy on the way down) to the Salado-style cliff dwellings. The Salado Phenomena, 700 years ago, blended ideas of neighboring Native American cultures to emerge a unique and vibrant society. Tonto National Monument showcases two Salado-style cliff dwellings. In the past I have hiked to the upper ruins and many years ago visited the lower ruins so I was very excited to know that we were going to hike to these beautiful ruins. The ranger station / museum displays, an informational movie, pottery and various artifacts to tell the story of people living and using resources from the northern Sonoran Desert from 1250 to 1450 CE.
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| View from cliff dwellings of the East side of Roosevelt Lake |
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| We viewed the Superstition Mountains after dinner. |
Day 3 - Montana Mountain and trying to find the Reymert Mine.
As Jack needed to be at work I'm back to a solo drive but I know that this trail is considered easy with impressive desert views so I was looking forward to it. This trail starts east of Apache Junction and north of Highway 60. We were gradually climbing through canyons in the Superstition Wilderness until we reached an elevation above 5,000 ft. The views were still stunning even though there was a lot of dust in the area from high winds.
We veered off the main route for a side adventure to Rogers Trough Trailhead. This is an area where the Arizona National Scenic Hiking Trail transverses through the mountains. The Arizona National Scenic Trail is a complete non-motorized hiking path, stretching about 800 diverse miles across Arizona from Mexico to Utah. So I think we can say we've been on the Arizona Trail. I do hope to really hike some of the areas in the coming years. It's on the bucket list.
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| Helen & I at Rogers Trough on the Arizona Scenic Trail |
After working our way back on the Montana Mountain Trail we then had to switchback down the mountain on the narrow road to our lunch stop which happened to be an old stone cabin and mining area. We did not know much about the history but it was a nice place to have our lunch.
After lunch it was a matter of driving out on the final leg of the road back to Highway 60.
BUT WAIT - There's more..........
It was still early in the day and the leaders, Lester and Ruth, indicated there was time to do another trail across the highway to the Reymert Mine Trail. Heck yeah - so off we went to find the Reymert Mine.
We found and old cabin called the Sugar Shack and what appears to be an active mining claim and may be in use. Below is the cabin which is built into the dirt bank (probably to keep as cool as possible). On the porch there was a view of the mine area. We knocked - no one home. Darn. The active mining permit is stapled to the front door.
After visiting the Sugar Shack we ventured to find the Reymert Mine site but it was getting late in the day and we took some interesting side trips in the area but we did not find the mine site. It will have to wait until next time.
These three days have been packed with 4-wheeling, beautiful scenery, good friendships and laughs.
Until we meet again - Enjoy the ride !
I could never resist the call of the trail.
Buffalo Bill
