Quartz Peak Trail - Sierra Estrella, AZ :: Road Conditions

[ChrisYouKnowChris]

Another question about the road conditions on the way to this hike... I've been wanting to do Quartz Peak for quite some time but am unsure if my vehicle will be able to make it. I would most likely be coming from the north side since I live in Glendale. I have a 2012 Nissan Frontier that is a few steps above stock level so it should have the ground clearance but it doesn't have 4 wheel drive. Also, since it is still only a few years old, it's still my baby and I'm worried about pin-stripers. Should I wait to do this hike with a friend who has a beater? Or can I go now as long as I'm careful? Thanks for your feedback.

[trekkin_gecko]

been there three times in my 2wd tacoma
i have decent clearance
pinstriping is a possibility in a couple spots
don't take the eagle's route and you should be fine ;)

[RowdyandMe]

Quartz Peak Trail was my very fisrt hike in Arizona. I went with two other people who decided they couldn't make it to the top. My car is way to low to the ground. But I still want to go back and finish it.

[chumley]

The sand isn't deep. 4wd not necessary. There are a couple of tight spots but you can get through with no pinstriping.

This GPS track is the official driving route.
http://hikearizona.com/gps=26236

[rwstorm]

I have been there a number of times as well, and absolutely concur with chumley...that is the correct way. There is one funky little jog at Bullard, where you briefly go right then left again, otherwise stay on Riggs (won't be signed that far in, just a sandy track) straight to the road by the power line (don't be suckered into side tracks). Right turn there, then down to the turnoff to the BLM Trailhead.

[The_Eagle]

@trekkin gecko

[SpiderLegs]

Don't know if they have fixed the road yet, but last time I was out there about three months ago you needed 4x4 to get through the detour. Pinstriping is minimal, but exists.

[chumley]

@SpiderLegs
As posted in the directions on the hike page:

Bypassable by any vehicle on January 25th 2015. See photo.

[ChrisYouKnowChris]

Great! Thank you everyone for your responses. I might just give it a try

[Tough_Boots]

Also, since it is still only a few years old, it's still my baby and I'm worried about pin-stripers.

this is Arizona-- wear you're desert pinstripes with pride

[chumley]

Just for fun, I drove the full loop around the Estrella yesterday, to compare both road conditions and driving time.

From the 60/I-10 junction in Tempe, the trip from the south is 10 miles shorter than from the north. It took me 5 minutes less time on the south route too, so mileage matches time pretty well.

Despite the extra few minutes, I think that the better driving conditions are from the north side. There are 8 miles of dirt/sand road via Riggs Road, but it is generally quite smooth and a sedan with a good driver should be able to do it just fine.

The south side drive has 9 miles of dirt, but the first four of those are graded to near pavement quality. Unfortunately, the next 5 miles are under the powerlines and perpendicular to the topography, so the road crosses endless annoying little drainages.

Riggs Road parallels the drainages so while sandy, it is smooth most of the way and driving faster.

So if you drive a sedan, the only option is to come in from the north. For high-clearance drivers, the route you take should depend on where in the valley you are starting from, traffic conditions on I-10, and what kind of dirt road driving you would rather drive.

BTW, Google puts the drive time at 1:15 from the south and 1:30 from the north. I was able to shave 15 minutes off each of those, but ymmv.

[hikeaz]

Looks like you will have just enough time to secure a grant to add a study on 'Option #3'......

[The_Eagle]

@chumley
How did Empire Blvd look?

[chumley]

@The_Eagle
They just finished paving it. You should check it out next time you're out that way.