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.

[TSGdad]

Does anyone have recent info on if FR 172 and FR 172A would be passable to Rogers Trough trailhead by a high clearance 2WD vehicle (E-350 Econoline 15 pass van) this time of year?
I have seen some conflicting information on if this is A) possible and B) a good idea. I know if there's any mud it's a no go. But if conditions are dry?

[xsproutx]

A recent tripreport says it's rough but there was a subaru outback at the trailhead for what that may be worth. My typical experience is that people seem to rate roads a lot worse than they really are but an econoline is certainly not a small vehicle. It's usually the last .25 mile that kind of sucks and is stupid rocky, the switchback about .5 miles before the trailhead, and the switchback about 2.75 miles.

All those areas have spots you could pull off and park and hike from if you wanted to as well.

edit: It looks like you're from out of town which makes me think this vehicle is a rental. If you don't have experience with that vehicle and driving on these sorts of roads, I'd probably find something different to do.

[joebartels]

The vehicle in moderate-fair suspension/tread condition can certainly make it unless someone in the last 5 weeks dug a ditch (it hasn't rained, it's likely fine).

[ custom map ] will likely be the area of most concern. You won't know it until you're practically midway in it cuz it doesn't look concernable approaching. The combo of the weight of the vehicle and an inexperienced driver might get stuck.

[chumley]

makes me think this vehicle is a rental

If the vehicle is a rental, check the contract carefully. Virtually all of the name-brand rental companies prohibit driving on any dirt road.

[SuperstitionGuy]

There is ample traffic on 172 and 172A this time of year that will stop and render aid, so put your fears aside and go for it. Just report back to us and share your experience.

[hikeaz]

@TSGdad
I would likely be most concerned about the rear overhang - especially if loaded with people or heavy gear near the rear. There is also one "hairpin turn" that may require multiple backups with this. I would agree if you have experience driving the vehicle on various terrain it would be a cautious "go".

[00blackout]

The last half ish mile after the 650 junction is by far the worst! I don't think I would attempt it with that van especially if it's a rental, however, you could park near that junction and walk the rest of the way to the TH. It is supposed to rain Sunday so that may make it worse then the current condition.

[SuperstitionGuy]

Jim McDade Scoutmaster of Troop 451 sponsered by the Methodist Church in Mesa, Arizona drove his Troops School Bus (54 passenger} to the Rogers Through Trailhead and negotiated that last hairpin turn after a few backups successfully. This was done in the 1980's and I asked him if he unloaded the boys before the turn and steep part of the hill and he said no. So with the van you described it is possible. As for the drive from the junction of the 650 just be carefull of the sharp rocks that could slice the sides of your tires.

[xsproutx]

Gotta keep the kids in there for the extra traction boost; the math maths to me.

[CannondaleKid]

Just thinking about what happened to a "van carrying equipment for a scouting trip" (essentially a non-window version of a 15 passenger Econoline Van) on the road back out from Rogers Trough in late March 2010 is enough to provide a warning... If you are not VERY familiar with any vehicle you are driving on anything less-than-optimum roads, BE CAREFUL!

The van I mention above went off the road just past the tightest switchback due to a driver unfamiliar with the vehicle and the road.
For details of the situation scroll down halfway of this [ popup triplog ]

[TSGdad]

Very much appreciate all the feedback, info, and reminders for wise decisions. We are still over a week out from arriving so I am hopeful the Sunday rain will have long dried by then. A 12 pass van is my family vehicle, so I am not too worried about handling characteristics of the large van being unfamiliar. We will plan to use prudential judgement and wisely park at one of the pull-offs if necessary and hike the rest of the way up. We are no strangers to adventure, but will try to stay away from stupidity.

From what I gather, FR 172A is still the way to go over FR 650 for any reasonable chance of reaching the trailhead? (but please correct me if that is mistaken)

[xsproutx]

@TSGdad
650 is an absolute no go for that vehicle IMHO.

[azhiker96]

@TSGdad
I just drove the Apache trail which is in great shape. Checked out the Reavis TH. The road to it is narrow but otherwise in good condition. This would be hiking in from the North instead of the south. The hike is a bit longer but doesn’t have the switchbacks that you encounter from the South. Just a thought if you’re worried about the roads to the Roger’s Trough TH.

[big_load]

@TSGdad
I just drove the Apache trail which is in great shape. Checked out the Reavis TH. The road to it is narrow but otherwise in good condition. This would be hiking in from the North instead of the south. The hike is a bit longer but doesn’t have the switchbacks that you encounter from the South. Just a thought if you’re worried about the roads to the Roger’s Trough TH.

How was the last little bit before the TH? Those last couple curves used to get a little sketchy before maintenance. If it's in good shape, I might give it a try this year.

[azhiker96]

@big_load
It was in good shape although narrow and longer than I remembered. I’m always glad when I don’t meet anyone on that road. There was a truck parked at the TH. Checked the logbook and saw they were going to the ranch. Also saw a couple of November entries for the falls.

[big_load]

@big_load
It was in good shape although narrow and longer than I remembered. I’m always glad when I don’t meet anyone on that road. There was a truck parked at the TH. Checked the logbook and saw they were going to the ranch. Also saw a couple of November entries for the falls.

Thanks! I've backed around the last two bends when there was oncoming traffic - the width was never great. I suspect it has only gotten worse. Anyway, enough years have passed that I've successfully forgotten how long the slog is from the north TH to the Ranch.

[00blackout]

Drove up 172/172A over to 650 and back down to the 60 yesterday. The 650 is freshly graded the entire way and is currently like a super highway. Last time I drove it in October, there were a few spots even I was nervous to do in the 4Runner, but not anymore. In some areas, the dirt is soft, but nothing to worry about. Have fun!

[xsproutx]

@00blackout
Interesting to hear on 650; I wasn't really sure they ever did much to that road. First time on it I was a passenger in a Jeep and all of a sudden, we lose all engine power and we're going down in reverse very fast. It was one of the more frightening 30 seconds of my life

[00blackout]

@xsproutx
I've never seen it graded before, but I guess that this allowed them to widen it in some sections to use as a fire break should they ever need it.

[louie]

@00blackout
I drove the 650 last December running the Montana loop in my lifted TJ with lockers and found it challenging towards the top of the run. I ran it going up 650 and down 172. I had no clue there was maintenance done on that as it seemed pretty worked. Passed a few stocked vehicles beat to sh*t. That trail seemed like it was fast succumbing to a run a RZR or skip it thing. That’s great news…amazing in fact…there has been some work done on that road. I made that run decades ago in a stock cherokee and it seemed pretty tame so was trying to figure out if I’m just older and topography that didn’t phase me in my younger days now gets to me or if the road was genuinely more beat up than in the past. Thank you for the info.