[Sredfield]

Does anyone have current (2/22/08) information regarding the road conditions to Rogers Trough? FS didn't today. I'd like to drive in this weekend but I've only got a 2WD semi-high clearance vehicle.

[te-wa]

you wont make it

[SuperstitionGuy]

Hey, I have driven up to Rogers Trailhead in a two wheel drive Ford Aerostar many times without any trouble at all.
But then it was a company car....

But who ever drives this route next - please give us an update - OK!

[Sredfield]

you wont make it

. . . . where seldom is heard
a discouraging word . . . .

[nonot]

I have a 2wd sedan and would never attempt Rogers Trough in it.

If I gave Hoffmaster my keys I think he would make it there, but that's the equivalent setting your daughter up on the corner of 6th and main st.

[Sredfield]

I've been up the road several times in my 2WD Explorer but not when things are this wet. The FS said they would be going in this weekend and would have information Monday. Doesn't do much for this weekend.

[wallyfrack]

I may go in to Woodbury TH Sunday morning. A little late but I'll give an update after that or give you a ride if you're walking out.

[te-wa]

didnt mean to sound so harsh Shawn I was in a hurry. The Queen Creek crossing on 172 is likely impassible. You can try tho if ya want.

*Shawn*
you can always join my friend TahoeMike and I - we're going up Bluff Spring mtn. via Ely Anderson and down to Terrapin on the west side, then the needle Crosscut over to Pinon camp for the night. Up and over Fremont saddle to the Cave trail back to the truck for an easy day 2. Besides, we've never met. (yet)

[Grasshopper]

I agree with Mike. A stock 2x4 Ford Explorer has a longer wheel base which, under normal conditions would get you there but it has clearance not much better than some cars and Queen Creek (1/4ml before the FR172 left turn and FR172 right after this turn) will surely be flowing.. how high & fast is the ? and if you make it past these spots, you still have a number of low wash crossings to go on FR172 before it starts to climb out at about ~4mls in... suggest you come up with a plan B for Sat for your Explorer.

[Sredfield]

Thanks for all the comments and invitation. I only have Sunday this weekend, we did the Climb to Conquer Cancer on South Mountain today (a brutal bushwack!). I see tree blossoms here in town, the apple trees at Reavis will be a bit later I'm sure. I saw the post about Queen Creek and don't think I'd take a stock Exploder thru much of a flow.

That road has received sporadic maintainence over the years, when I first went up there it was pretty bad, but I do believe we were in someone's newer Explorer at the time. The last few yards before coming out into the clearing was in the creek. A few years later it had been cleaned up quite a bit.

Will just have to be patient, not my strong suite.

[Grasshopper]

Good you could still get out today. Maybe Wally will give us all an update late Sunday on all roads up to the Woodbury/Rogers Trough TH's.

[te-wa]

I saw wally at peralta trailhead, both days. my guess: when the Salt river stops flowing, Queen creek will be passable.

[wallyfrack]

Wally was scared off by all the talk of deep water. I decided I had a few hikes I could do from the Peralta TH instead.

[te-wa]

yeah, and thanks for the band-aid. much needed.

[Grasshopper]

I just noticed that Bryan M. posted a trip log today-2/24 for a hike from Rogers Trough TH up to the Reavis Ranch, SO don't know what he was driving, but he obviously got there & back!

[joe bartels]

Too late to help out Shawn, but if anybody else was interested.

Bryan said "Just decent clearance."

Other Brian said "High clearance only. I got away with only 2wd, but 4x4 would be preferable until they do some work on that road."

That's it for the B&B Skinny reporting on 172/172A, HAZ out!

[Hoffmaster]

As nonot commented above;
I'll get a rear wheel drive, low-rider pickup with low-profile tires back there no problem.

I picked that vehicle description because Fairweather and I saw one making zero progress up the Snowbowl road on Saturday morning. It was quite comical!

[Dirt4dinner]

The creek on the way to Woodbury is always passable...you just have to go fast enough

[SuperstitionGuy]

Back in the 80's two fellows from New Jersey tried to run Queen Creek in a rented VW Bug. They made it alright, but only after the passenger rolled down his window, climbed out and in waist deep water steered the bug by holding on to the rear bumper and pushing it to the south side of the stream until they reached the shore a few hundred yards downstream. And that's only one story of their adventures in the Sup's that they shared with me as we backpacked together in Rogers Canyon one weekend.

When we were driving down Forest Road 172A their current rented Chevy Luv pickup slid sidways in a rut and the right rear wheel tired poped its bead. I was behind in my 4 wheel drive and shined my lights on their pickup so they could jack up the rear, remove the tire and pull the spare out from underneath. But alas, there was no spare! They then put the bad tire back on the pickup and drove down hill until they could reach a spot where they could park the pickup off to the side and let me pass.

I gave them a ride into town and as we rode I told them I was taking them to a resturant where they could wear their guns and that this resturant had sawdust three inches deep on the floor and that the waitress's also wore six shooters. They laughed at that and called me the biggest liar they had met in Arizona. After ordering our meal at Mesa's Big Apple resturant I told them that their experiences was going to make a great story in the next issue of the Phoenix Gazette. The title being "The Greenhorns From New Jersey" and that I was the outdoor editor for the newspaper. Their faces turned white and they didn't call me a liar this time. They were quite relieved and had a good laugh when they found out that this time I was lying....

[big_load]

I just want to state for the record that I wasn't one of those guys.

Since I never have the right vehicle, I always come from the north. I'm not sure how it works, but I seem to get there faster every time.