HikeArizona.COM

Wikipedia wrote:The Apache Trail in Arizona was a stagecoach trail that ran through the Superstition Mountains. It was named the Apache Trail after the Apache Indians who originally used this trail to move through the Superstition Mountains.

The current Apache Trail links Apache Junction (33.4152°N 111.5807°W) at the edge of the Greater Phoenix area with Theodore Roosevelt Lake (33.6725°N 111.1531°W), through the Superstition Mountains and the Tonto National Forest.

Today, the majority of Apache Trail remains unpaved, turning into a dirt road a few miles up from Tortilla Flat, and continuing as such for nearly the full remainder of its length. The section east of Apache Junction is known officially as State Route 88. It is also the main traffic corridor through Apache Junction, turning into Main Street as the road passes into Mesa, and regains the Apache name by becoming Apache Boulevard in Tempe, ending at Mill Avenue. Prior to the completion of the Superstition Freeway in 1992, the Apache Junction portion of the Apache Trail was part of US Highway 60, which was rerouted to the Superstition Freeway once it was completed.

The Trail winds steeply through 40 miles (64 km) of rugged desert mountains, past deep reservoir lakes like Canyon Lake and Apache Lake. The narrow, winding road is unpaved from just east of the town of Tortilla Flat to Roosevelt Dam; there are steep cliff drops and little in the way of safety barriers. The trail requires caution when driving and it is not recommended for large RVs, SUVs, or caravans. Some large RV rental companies in the US do not allow their vehicles to be taken on this route.

chumley wrote:While I personally still vote for closing the road to vehicle travel forever and converting it to a multiuse trail, I do find it interesting that the solution being proposed today for a cost of $4 million could have easily been implemented five years ago (and probably at a lower cost). It'd be humorous if it wasn't so pathetic.

herdbull wrote: ↑Jan 21 2024 10:43 am 2 wrecks, 1 resulting in a death and the other a complicated extrication, in the last 4 days. And this is before the Canyon Lake lookout heading up on the good paved section.

big_load wrote: ↑Jan 21 2024 11:49 amWow, I haven't seen that. It shouldn't be that dangerous, but anything is possible when people are involved.

CannondaleKid wrote:two Porches

The_Eagle wrote: ↑Jan 21 2024 3:32 pmWere they covered? When did they start putting wheels on them?

CannondaleKid wrote: ↑Jan 21 2024 1:41 pm Frankly, why ANYONE rides a bike along that road, or Bush Highway near Saguaro Lake I cannot fathom, as they are definitely placing their life in the hands of drivers.

rcorfman wrote: ↑Jan 22 2024 8:10 pm

CannondaleKid wrote: ↑Jan 21 2024 1:41 pm Frankly, why ANYONE rides a bike along that road, or Bush Highway near Saguaro Lake I cannot fathom, as they are definitely placing their life in the hands of drivers.

Back when I raced, that was one of my favorite rides. We'd start in Tempe and go to the end of the pavement past Tortilla Flat and back. Around 100 miles or so. The descent back to Tortilla Flat was one of the few roads I could break 50 mph on when the conditions were right. Fun stuff.

herdbull wrote: ↑Feb 05 2024 4:03 pm @big_load
And yet another 1 today. Pretty much the same spot. Luckily it appears they both survived. I believe channel 12 had a news chopper out there today.

big_load wrote:Why can't people just keep their vehicles between the lines?

big_load wrote:Why can't people just keep their vehicles between the lines?

chumley wrote:a sporty road-hugging vehicle (such as a Toyota Tacoma)

SuperstitionGuy wrote:the sign said "Road Closed beyond Tortilla Flat".