525 / 525c conditions

[Tough_Boots]

Does anyone happen to know the conditions for 525 & 525c (Sedona) to the Dogie TH? Thanks.

[Jim]

I was last out there about 2 1/2 years ago to hike the Dogies. I think it was late November of 2009. It was rough, and I was in another persons Subaru. I wouldn't take my civic out there.

[te_wa]

question: are you ready to lead this as an overnight for your fellow HAZ backpackers? if so, im game bro. your truck will make the drive. I will ride on the roof with my squirrel suit on and an IPA in my hand. do it!

[Tough_Boots]

@te-wa

[Tough_Boots]

Update for anyone in the near future needing this info:

both roads are drivable for most cars. There's nothing that would demand high-clearance, though, I wouldn't drive anything on that road thats lower than a typical car (such as a Prius). 525C is extremely washboarded for long sections which is annoying. A good grading to that road would make it a pleasant drive. There are a couple steep hills on the way out so I would suggest keeping off that road when wet unless you have some major power and 4wd. My 2wd truck never would have made it back in wet conditions.

[DixieFlyer]

FR 525 has always seemed a bit rough, but as recently as last month a passenger car could drive to the Loy Canyon Trailhead, but no mas!

I went out there today and the road had washed out in a couple of places, presumably from some torrential rainstorms. One place in particular would be unpassable for a passenger car. You don't need a 4WD, but you do need a high clearance vehicle, preferably one with some all-terrain tires. My 2WD F-150 made it, but I wouldn't be overly excited to drive the road again. Hopefully they will re-grade it at some point.

[DixieFlyer]

I talked to the Ranger District today, and they had a section of FR525 completely closed recently -- the repairs that they made are more of a bandaid to get the road open. The person that I talked to said that they plan to do some more permanent repairs at some point, and he said they usually do the work in the wintertime...I am guessing that it might be spring before the road is in better shape