FR 172 & 172A to Rogers Trough TH

[SuperstitionGuy]

The USFS has a road grader and front end loader reworking FS road 172 and 172A. The road grader started from the beginning of 172 at Hewitt Station road and had made it approximately four miles when we passed by him on Tuesday afternoon. The front end loader had been filling in crosswise channels made by running water from the beginning of 172 to almost the top of 172A. When we passed him they were reworking the ruts just below the extremely sharp curve just before 172A tops out before the turn to Rogers Trough Trailhead. My experience with rework on this road is that they will be up there all week. Queen Creek is not flowing and relative easy to cross at this time. Someone traveling this road after this post please give us an update on the grading project and how far they have reworked the road.

General rules for driving this road is as follows. High clearence with rear wheel drive is recommended for 172. High clearence with four wheel drive is recommended for 172A. Front wheel drive vehicles can drive this road but it is not recommended that they tackle the steeper portions of either road as it is very easy to tear up the front tires on the embedded rocks. Vehicles without high clearence should drive only as far as the embedded rocks are low enough in reference to the road surface to allow safe travel. My experience when the road has been recently reworked is that drivers have a tendency to drive to fast and have accidents. There are numerous sharp curves and high spots where you cannot see oncoming traffic. This includes cars, trucks, ATV's and motorcycles. Head on crashes are a real threat under these conditions. Please drive at a safe speed and also be aware of cattle that may be on the road and unwilling to get out of your way.

[Tough_Boots]

@1336dv
I made it to the Woodbury TH in my 2wd Envoy on Saturday so you shouldn't have too much problem making it to the 172a/172b split. I can't vouch for your last 4 miles, though.

[1336dv]

@chumley
We would drive up Hewitt Station Road to Rogers Trough, with F250 in mid March. Think we can make it without a jeep?

[chumley]

@1336dv
If you're offering to give me an F-250 just to drive you to the trailhead, I accept the offer! Let's work out the exact dates in mid-march as I already have a few things on my calendar!

But in case I misinterpreted your question... I would take ANY high-clearance vehicle up there as long as there isn't snow or flooding making washes too deep to cross. I've seen many 2wd trucks up there including those with long wheelbases and even towed trailers.

Take your time and enjoy it. It's a beautiful drive.

[mr_squishy]

@1336dv
I posted earlier about turning around at Mile 3.6 due to a drop off and some bouldery road. I was driving a 4WD Ford EB350 Sportsmobile van. My wheelbase was not the problem - my rig is 22 years old, I was alone, and it's a bit top-heavy and I just didn't feel comfortable trying it on my own. I think you would be able to make it in your truck; hopefully you have series E tires; I cannot speak to "the hump" as I did not make that far. I know that Forerunners were making it OK.

[The_Dude]

I made it up to Roger's Trough back in November with my stock Ram 1500 (6 cyl) with street tires. I did engage the 4 X 4 for the last hill, but mostly because I have it and it helps to justify the cost for buying it. As long as it has not rained for a few days, and there is no snow, the drive is fine, just slow and rocky. I iwll agree with Chumley though, the views are fantastic!

[cw50must]

Sounds like the road is fun again, I might have to do a Montana mountain loop here soon.

[1336dv]

@chumley
Thank you !! we will try and pray for safety!!

[1336dv]

@Mr_Squishy
thanks, i would have turned around in a van also!! blessings. <><

[Nightstalker]

I'm doing the ruins tomorrow and will report back with road conditions.

[Nightstalker]

No problems whatsoever getting to the trailhead today. Water crossings were a few to several inches deep. There was ice on the road on the steep section near the trailhead. No dropoffs or stepups to navigate. There was also a Honda Pilot parked at the trailhead along with the expected 4x4 jeeps, trucks, and side by sides.

We completed the Montana Mountain loop and headed into Superior for lunch. The east side of the loop is longer and rougher. There are some GREAT views into the valley below before decending.

[SuperstitionGuy]

I delivered Steve and Dan this morning to the Rogers Trough trail head. I have never seen this road in better shape and we made good time all the way. Stopped to take a picture of the arch and one rattle snake that passed in front of us. On the way back out saw another rattle snake crossing the road. Quite a bit of traffic today (Monday) with 5 vehicles at the trail head. 2 from Arizona and 1 each from California, Colorado and Oklahoma. Lots of jeeps and razors on the road as well. Steve & Dan are backpacking from Angel Basin the JF, Hoolie Bacon, Red Tanks and Dutchman to Peralta. They are going to learn a lot on this trip being new to the Superstitions and will wish they had carried less and allowed more time.

[BRichard]

Does anyone have any updated beta on road conditions? planing on heading up there with my family over the xmas holidays......i have a high clearance tundra but only 2 wheel drive........is it mostly sandy wash out conditions or big rocks......

ive driven to most of the crown king roads and lots of the jeep trails north of lake pleasant.....(did get stopped halfway to crown king but it was REALLY bad) and did get stopped pretty far up near wagoneer road but i was basically following stream beds at the point and the rocks just got to big and to many......

[joebartels]

@BRichard
172 & 172A shouldn't remotely be an issue if you made it half way up the backroad to Crown King

@Johnnie was in the area last week for reference

[Johnnie]

@joebartels
The road to Rogers Trough and Woodbury trailheads are probably as good as I've ever seen it and that goes back 25 years. 4WD not required but you certainly want some clearance and good tires

[BRichard]

thanks guys, I was getting some conflicting data on road conditions.......we are going to hike in to angel basin and spend a cpl days there.......do you think there will be water in some of the springs by now?

[hikeaz]

.............do you think there will be water in some of the springs by now?

Even though the area just received about 1/2" of rain Sat./Sun. and should leave some pools in Roger's Creek, I have always found water shortly down Fish Creek from the Frog Tanks trail. I would estimate it to be about 2 easy miles each way from A.B.. There is a nice, small campsite on Frog Tanks just before the junction (if heading down from A.B.).

[chumley]

I wouldn't count on finding much surface water as a result of the recent rain. Rain gauges and radar estimates show that the Superstitions received a range of only 1/10th to 3/10ths of an inch. While every little bit helps, that's not going to result in pools or surface flow outside of the normal reliable known water sources.

[BRichard]

@hikeaz Ok thanks! So, even if we did still decide to camp at A.B. We could do a day hike and hike to fish creek for that evening/morning water? Bring it back to A.B.....? Or I guess it may be easier just to camp at the spot you mentioned..........is it obvious? Can I get a way point?

[hikeaz]

@hikeaz Ok thanks! So, even if we did still decide to camp at A.B. We could do a day hike and hike to fish creek for that evening/morning water? Bring it back to A.B.....? Or I guess it may be easier just to camp at the spot you mentioned..........is it obvious? Can I get a way point?

The camp spot is along the trail; actually between the creek-bed (Rogers') and the trail, so it would be on your right if heading downstream. It is obvious. Note that whichever spot you choose, sunrise will be a looong time coming down there. Also beware of goatheads in Angel Basin if you camp there and use an inflatable mattress.
I do not use a GPS but it should be within a few yards of 33 29.048 x 111 3.132 on the magnetic N-S axis.
Take a pair or two of hand clippers to keep the trail(s) in check - if more folks did we could almost remove the word catclaw from trail-based trip reports.

[joebartels]

33 29.048 x 111 3.132

is 16,878.4 yards or 9.59 miles from the junction of Fish Creek & Frog Tanks

if you slap a 1 in front of 3.132 for
33° 29.048, -111° 13.132
puts you 264 yards SSW of Fish Creek on Frog Tanks