FR 538G

[photohiker]

I was doing some research on hikes in and around sycamore canyon.One hike that interested me involved taking FR 231(Woody Mountain Road) from Flagstaff.This road eventually branched off into several other forest roads,and ended at FR 538G(about 24 miles from flagstaff).I have read that FR 231 is not too bad for passenger car travel.Does anyone know the condition of some of the other roads(538,538E,538G for example).I would like to know if they are passable with a passenger car when dry.I will be visiting in May.Thanks!

[montezumawell]

They should be bone dry in May and, hopefully, the forest will be wet enough to avoid any possible closure. You never know. We don't think wet roads would be a problem. HOWEVER--that said, there IS a problem out there on what the locals call the "Woody Mountain Road." Seems that too many late-teen, early 20-something males buy into this "monster pickup" mentality. They go down to America West Arena in Phoenix and watch HUGE, WEIRD trucks with 500-1000 HP engines rip through artifically enhanced mudbogs. So, then these macho gguys roam around the Rimlands looking for someplace to "prove themselves." Kinda like a rite of passage. They find the deepest, baddest mud they can find and then they RIP through it back and forth, to and fro like crazed idiots.
They drive back to town (Flagstaff, in this case) sporting their mud-covered rig like some male-preening badge of honor. The more mud, the more macho.

OK. So what does this mean to you? How about a rutted road that might not be passable in a regular vehicle. How about ruts too deep for anything but SUPER high clearance?

The Forest Service is already in dire budgetary straits. It's unlikely they will be out there repairing the damage done by these goofballs. It's quite likely the road will be 2-3 inches deep in fine, dusty silt (once again stirred up by these jerks) by May but rutted too badly for small, smart, fuel efficient vehicles to get anywhere close to where you plan to go.

Of course, the "standard disclaimer" is, "This is NOT always the way things go but it sure is the way to bet! Circumstances you find may vary widely from this analysis."

J&S

PS--We admire your "avatar," presumably from Antelope Canyon.

[jeremy77777]

What kingd of car do you have. Do you care if it gets a few minor scratches or scrapes occasionally?

[photohiker]

I will most likely be driving a small or mid-sized passenger car(not high-clearance or 4wd).