HikeArizona.COM

Hi I am interested in hiking to the hanging gardens and was told the route on FR142 requires 4x4. So I was wondering how the drive of FR 618 to cedar flats is.....does it need 4x4? And then what is the trail like from that side? Thanks in advance for any help.

you cannot get there from FR618, however, you can use that to access the WCC Trail #17. From there it is about a 2 day journey upstream involving swimming, wading, and hiking to reach the hanging gardens area.

https://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=15734 talks about the first day of such a trip. It gets pretty wild after this bit.

Hmmmm I'm confused because on this site for directions to the trailhead from Peoria it directs me to go 618 to cedar flats. I did do a satellite follow along with the route and it checks out. But it does take you to the opposite side of the creek and the trail down is not described from that side.

I see what you are saying. That's probably something the website is doing that Joe will have to fix eventually after he recovers, in that it is prbably just a tool that will end your drive on a reasonably drive-able road that is distance-wise closest. But there is no trail from that side, the trail is only from the side with 4x4.


I tried to set the default route to another GPS track that pushes the starting point further towards the roads on the southeast side, but I can't change default tracks anymore, so perhaps Joe removed my GPS admin privileges.

I made a map for you, it's the best way if you don't have high clearance, but it adds 9 miles of hiking.

https://hikearizona.com/map.php?MY=30148&M=6

nonot wrote:I made a map for you, it's the best way if you don't have high clearance, but it adds 9 miles of hiking.

https://hikearizona.com/map.php?MY=30148&M=6

alternatively you can try to go west as far as you can on FR142 before you feel uncomfortable driving and find a spot to pull over, but FR142 can become an absolute mudpit after any rain, so I really don't recommend it, there also really aren't a lot of good places to park along many sections.

If you click on the "alt routes" tab there is a posted route for the white box road drive.

It won't show up on auto-generated directions because those roads are not on google, and for good reason!!

@nonot
Thank you! I Have high clearance just not 4x4 ☺

carlamtho1980 wrote:@nonot
Thank you! I Have high clearance just not 4x4 ☺

Sans mud it is more of a clearance issue on 142 than a traction one.

If she goes at a time she is absolutely sure it won't rain and has high clearance, I agree she could try it. But with no history for the poster I am erring on the side of the most cautious.

nonot wrote:If she goes at a time she is absolutely sure it won't rain and has high clearance, I agree she could try it. But with no history for the poster I am erring on the side of the most cautious.

yep... I guess we don't need to see a photoset of a high-centered vehicle .... Of course 4x4 is near useless in that case anyway; isn't it?

Driving to this trailhead by any route is very tough so I usually hike in using nonot's route. The first 2 miles of chumley's alternate route are very rough, I would call it ATV terrain. I'd say the "easiest" driving route is: take 144 east off highway 260 > north on 149 > west on 142 > 142A > 142J. A long way around, and still lots of rough terrain.

This is our road route. 4x4 not needed. Just HPV. Go slow... you dont want to bottom out. This adds 1.3 miles One way, to your hike to the TH but its a forest bushwack sooo, theres that. But it takes 2 miles of that painful drive out of the fray. https://hikearizona.com/map.php?GPS=33505