Flagstaff Shortcut (Rts 89 & 180)?

[AZHiker456]

Does anyone know if this http://hikearizona.com/map.php?QX=5544 [yellow track] is a viable cut over option for an HCV without driving all the way around [i.e. red track is what I want to avoid]?

Also, are there other viable cut over options for getting from 180 to 89 without going all the way back into downtown Flag?

Finally, does anyone know of any resources for determining whether or not dirt roads may/may not be drivable... in terms of both road conditions as well as things like gated roads/private property... OR is just kind of a crapshoot and not really knowing until you get there or know someone who's been there?

[chumley]

I've not driven the route you have marked. But if I was trying to make that trip I would take the 151 road from just south of Kendrick Park to the 418 road which is the road that skirts the north side of the peaks. That is a sedan-friendly road for sure. (Plus, a beautiful drive).

For help, check out the Coconino NF Motor Vehicle Use Map (MVUM). It's available online, and can be loaded on a smart phone and GPS too. See http://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/coconino/ ... rdb5356224 for information. You'll want the NORTH half for this area.

On the MVUM, if a yellow or green road suddenly stops or turns to a grey road then it is crossing private property. It's possible that you can't get through. Sometimes there's an open gate though.

In my experience, the MVUM solid yellow roads are always good, and the yellow-black roads are usually ok. Rain can make things muddy though and you never know.

I still think the 151/418 combo is the best way to get from 180 to 89 on the north side of the peaks. It's a shorter distance on dirt vs the route you've mapped out.

[FOTG]

@AZHiker456
@chumley
I agree with Chums, was also going to suggest 418, but was not sure how much you had your heart set on the other road. I can confirm that a Ford Focus can make the entire length of road and very scenic

[chumley]

I can confirm that a Ford Focus can make it

@tortoise_hiker hiked all 14 miles back to the 89. He wasn't driving!

[AZHiker456]

Thank you guys so much; I REALLY appreciate it!

As for having my heart set on a certain way - that would be a definite no. Right now its all about the shortest way from Point A to Point B so I can maximize time on the trails. Of course, shortest doable way.

[Tortoise_Hiker]

:GB:

[azbackpackr]

@Tortoise_Hiker
I take responsibility for that forced march! Except, why did he want to meet me on 89 instead of 180? (But the clutch assembly would have failed, anyway.)

[Tortoise_Hiker]

@azbackpackr
Yep! It was my bad. I didn't know the other way was easier. I was also gonna hike more afterwards. I needed the exercise anyway. Enjoyed the hike and was bummed about your car. Glad you got it fixed. Look forward to the next one.

[azbackpackr]

@Tortoise_Hiker
Me too, except I have to get past this stress fracture thing or whatever it is. Going to ride my bike a lot over the next 6 weeks, I think.

[AZHiker456]

@AZHiker456
@chumley
I agree with Chums, was also going to suggest 418, but was not sure how much you had your heart set on the other road. I can confirm that a Ford Focus can make the entire length of road and very scenic

Just curious when you pulled that off... I drove the entire length in my 2015 Forester [8.7" ground clearance] this past weekend in dry conditions without issue... but I have a knack for negotiating boulders and have come clean through the entire length of Schnebly Hill Road in Sedona, [which was worlds worse than the few rough spots on 418].

I'd say that 95% of 418 is doable in a car, but the 5% that ain't will level a low clearance vehicle and may even pose problems for some of the HCV's that have 7.5" or less of clearance.

[FOTG]

@AZHiker456
June 2014, hey things change, but promise we got it through, GF met me at canyon, but I already had Xterra, first time we did the peaks, but came in from wrong side, so had to cut across...got out and guided a few times and drove through a couple tough parts, but maybe those tough parts have really become tough parts now..it has been a couple of years, that was also before monsoon season, could have been after a fresh grade, etc... I find road condition reports to be very subjective to the person driving them too..

[AZHiker456]

@friendofThundergod
No worries; I completely agree and was not knocking you but just more or less curious at to when you drove it / when the last time was that someone made it through with a low clearance vehicle.

I am VERY familiar with just how quickly dirt roads can deteriorate... the dirt road to the TH for Elephant Head & Little Elephant Head in the Santa Ritas [FR 183] is a great example. Betty Leavengood's book on the Santa Ritas lists getting to this TH [via FR 183] as doable for passenger cars. Trust me, unless your objective is to destroy your car, you do not want to take a low clearance vehicle on this road... in fact, in another year or two [if the deterioration I observed from December 2014 to November 2015 continues], then not even my Forester will be able to make the 2.5 mile drive along FR 183 to the TH unscathed.

[FOTG]

@AZHiker456 thanks...It's good that you got out there though and got a more up to date report anyways , I prob won't encourage those with cars to do it anymore lol I hope you at least found the road scenic though