HAZ off-roaders unite!

[fairweather8588]

Anyone else on this site share an interest in offroading, other then by means of getting to a trailhead? Figured why not get some people together to run some trails here in AZ, like Broken Arrow, Backway to Crown King, White Canyon Wilderness etc. Nothing extreme, just fellow hikers who like to get out and wheel every once in a while, capable car with 4x4 is all that would be necessary for the most part

[fairweather8588]

So how about we set up a trip in the upcoming weeks to give a HAZ4X4 group a try? Somewhere where it's not a simple dirt road, but still offers a challenge like the Coke Ovens, Martinez Cabin. Maybe Jan 31st/Feb 1st?

[Jeffshadows]

Yea, that might work. Either of those trails are about equidistant from Phoenix or Tucson, so I'd be fair for all...

[Davis2001r6]

I have plans for that weekend, but don't count on me as I have plans for most weekends in the coming months.

[RedRoxx44]

I've done Charlou Gap twice, each direction. I've done the loop at Martinez and watched some guy roll his scout trying to go up the slide hill. I also broke a rear main leaf on that thing. I've done Woodpecker and I think it's called the Terminator??? near Florence also. I need to get an idler bearing fixed on my Red Jeep for anything really hard core. I don't mind body damage on it. Would love to do the Rug road again, I didn't do a thru run and it was a tough one for sure. I run 33's and have a six inch lift on my Jeep and I am locked front and rear. That road was a work out.

[dysfunction]

Once you're into the trails in Florence there's a plethora, in fact Ajax mine trail is one of my favorites in there (especially when wet) but Terminators up on Table Mesa.

[chumley]

I'm open that weekend. I've done Box Canyon a couple of times, but never Martinez. From what I've read, I thought that I would have trouble on one section (slide hill?) that is particularly difficult ... I've heard "tippy" been used, which isn't the kind of word I particularly feel good about. I've been to the Coke Ovens, which are very cool, but I came from south of the Gila and hiked across the river to get up there. But with the proper accompaniment (other trucks, tow ropes, etc.), I'm usually pretty open to try things I'm otherwise not necessarily thrilled about.

[Jeffshadows]

If I bring the Scout I have a winch...I think there's a way around that chute on Martinez, but I might be wrong. I haven't been up there in a while...

[RedRoxx44]

When I did Martinez a few years back there is a small rock crawl section good to have spotter on to avoid bending your tie rod. Then a dry waterfall you can bypass if you don't like a short almost vertical climb---all about that wheelbase, baby!!---then up onto the road that climbs up, again one turn I had to do about a three point turn on in a Jeep with high penalty points if you backed up too far. On top not too bad, great views, then down. The slide hill is actually not the main route, it is a bypass to a steep loose gully that some people use a strap on the prevent doing an endo. The slide hill is fun, I had my vehicle in lowest gear and a firm foot on the brake and slid all the way to the bottom. Just keep your wheels straight and speed down and you'll be fine. But there was no way to make a controlled descent on that thing.
I too have a winch, I'll watch the thread for dates and if I get the Jeep running I'll try to be there!!...Can we mix some hiking in too??/

[azbackpackr]

I've done Charleau Gap, too, about 20 years ago!! Is it still open?

We just joined the Yuma 4X4 club, that is for Jeeps, Blazers, Toyotas, etc. (not quads!) But so far we have been too busy to go on a run with them. And no, they don't go to the Dunes!! Everyone around here thinks "four-wheeling" means you go to the Dunes, an extremely popular and crowded area just across the river in California. My idea is to explore the interesting mtn. ranges around here to get to know the area, and for access to interesting hikes. With this club we can find out about areas we wouldn't otherwise know about.

[Jeffshadows]

Oh yea, Charleau is popular...

That section of waterfall is the one I remember at Martinez that can be bypassed. The rock crawl I don't remember, but that could be for any number of reasons. I'd just as soon hike if we're going out, as well. In fact, I've heard told of some short-ish hikes that depart near Sibley Mansion that I've always meant to go check out...

[PaleoRob]

Wish I still had my old Explorer...making me miss some of the fun times we had around Flag.

[djui5]

Count me in!!! I wheel with the VJC sometimes but would love to get out for a day with some of you HAZ people I gotta stock Liberty but it goes a lot of places it probably shouldn't

[Jeffshadows]

Count me in!!! I wheel with the VJC sometimes but would love to get out for a day with some of you HAZ people I gotta stock Liberty but it goes a lot of places it probably shouldn't

If not, I bet we can *get* it in there

[zags]

One of my personal favorites is the "Log Corral Trail" It starts out as FR 1333 off of HY 87 heading west over a mountain pass to the eastern shore of Bartlett Lake. You can camp on the lake shore, having it all to yourself. There are lots of dunes to play on if the water level is low. You can then either cross the river south of Bartlett, head back out the way you came in, or take the power line road out to Sunflower. I would recommend at least 31's and a locker with some driving skill. I have kinda' come full circle with wheelin'. I started out with a 4wd to get to the good camping and hiking spots, got carried away with modifications and different rigs until I had a full-on competition rock crawler, competing at the pro level briefly. The comps went from us yahoos with open trailers and home built rigs to corporate sponsors and semi haulers, no fun. I was really disgusted with the damage rock crawlers are causing to pristine canyons as they continually look for tougher obstacles to conquer. So, I sold it all, bought an old Toyota, and rediscovered the fun of just exploring the remote corners of our beautiful state.

[Jeffshadows]

Sounds cool!

[fairweather8588]

Awesome, a friend and I were looking at some ways to get to the opposite shore of Bartlett Lake recently too

[djui5]

If not, I bet we can *get* it in there

I'm having tow hooks put on tomorrow too

[Jeffshadows]

If not, I bet we can *get* it in there

I'm having tow hooks put on tomorrow too

Good thinking!! ;)

[chumley]

I gotta stock Liberty but it goes a lot of places it probably shouldn't

That was the same with my Ranger. I owned it for 10 years, and I guarantee the Ford marketing department could have made some commercials with video of places I took that thing. I know my new taco can do as much (if not more) but I do have a little bit of new truck caution, plus I'm 10 years older, which somehow makes me a little more careful with how I treat $30k.

[Jeffshadows]

I gotta stock Liberty but it goes a lot of places it probably shouldn't

That was the same with my Ranger. I owned it for 10 years, and I guarantee the Ford marketing department could have made some commercials with video of places I took that thing. I know my new taco can do as much (if not more) but I do have a little bit of new truck caution, plus I'm 10 years older, which somehow makes me a little more careful with how I treat $30k.

I hear that ;)