HikeArizona.COM

I am getting conflicting information from different sources about whether highway 88 is open or not. ADOT says it's closed, ranger station says it's open. Anyone have any insight?

From AZ511.com:

Event Id 349228
Location On State Route 88, EW-bound from mile post 213.0, 3.50 miles East of Salt River to mile post 244.0, at state route 188 junction
Duration from Sun, 28 Feb 2010 12:05 PM to Tue, 2 Mar 2010 12:30 PM
Description closed due to flooding

With that, it is certainly possible that the flooding subsided, the closure was lifted, and the road opened before the end time listed above. Sometimes ADOT doesn't update their listing so quickly.

So, if the Ranger station says its open, from firsthand knowledge of traveling there, then its open. (I would spend some extra time asking questions. Sometimes one person at the desk in Mesa doesn't have the best information. Ask for a double-check verification, or a radio-report from a ranger that's on patrol out there.)

I'd venture to guess it's closed at Tortilla Creek right east of Tortilla Flats but open on both sides.

Sometimes it is unofficially open, meaning you can cross at Tortilla flats with high clearance but there's still rocks in the road and road damage that hasn't been repared. The worst spots will be where you cross at Tortilla Flat and Fish Creek hill.

The creek was flowing way too high for my car yesterday morning!

On saturday morning there was a "do not enter / road flooded" sign at Tortilla Flat but it was totally passable in my truck (my Sonoma is no higher than an average car and I was comfortable taking the plunge). By night time when I came back, the water level had dropped considerably. I would assume if that spot isn't passable, it doesn't stay that way for long. Other than that one spot at Tortilla Flat, the road should be totally passable for any car if you take it easy once it goes dirt.

I just wrote "passable" way too many times. I should start proofreading! Passable-opelli!

I was there yesterday about noon. The 511 website had it "closed" till 12:30. The "road closed" signs were up, the water was 4-6 inches deep at the deepest, and people were driving right on thru in cars and trucks. I asked at the shops there and the fellow told me the signs are there all the time. Made it across and did my errand out there and came right back.

If the road closed sign is up and the Sheriff Deputy or DPS guy is there you will get a ticket.

Anyone have an update on the creek crossing off 88? Thinking about heading up there this afternoon/tonight. AZ511 doesn't show anything, but don't know how reliable that is for this road. Tried calling the phone listed for the store in Tortilla Flat, but the person said that their line doesn't actually go to Tortilla Flat and she didn't know.

Anyone know, or know a number I can call who could reliably tell me? Planned on taking my son camping tonight at Lost Dutchman, but they're already packed. The only nice other nearby option I can think of is next to the creek off of the 88, just past Tortilla Flat (unless you know any other ideas in that area?). He's 7 and really would like to camp next to water somewhere anyway.

Thanks everyone!

UPDATE, just called the Mesa Ranger District for Tonto, they said it is open now and passable. Good news for the Civic driver!

I went through this same ridiculousness earlier this week, calling all different agencies that would either give me conflicting info or direct me to yet again another number. When I got to the Tortilla crossing on Tuesday, there were "road closed" signs moved to the side, and all sorts of cars and trucks were going through.