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| 4x4 Trip | 35.50 Miles |
2,700 AEG |
| | 4x4 Trip | 35.50 Miles | 5 Hrs | | 8.88 mph |
| 2,700 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Last Summer, as I traveled from my home in Minnesota to my home in Apache Junction, I brought my Yamaha ATV along to see if I could get better use of the machine down here. This was my first use of the ATV since it's journey to Arizona. Our motorized group consisted of Doug, Howard, Tom and myself all on individual machines. The ATV groups just refer to this trip as the Montana Mountain run.
The starting point for our journey was a parking lot just off Hwy. 60 just prior to the turnoff into Thompson Arboretum. We unloaded the machines and made sure everything was ready for a pretty long 35 mile loop that would be mostly on jeep/ATV trails. Our route would be in a counter-clockwise direction that would take us up to a 5,300 foot elevation and lots of scenic views along the way.
Once out of the parking lot, we traveled on FSR 650 through Happy Camp Canyon and on up to Wood Camp Canyon where we began a steep ascent of Montana Mountain. The route consisted of many switch backs in a very short distance, but offered some outstanding views of the canyons below. This area had received a bit of rain recently and the Poppies were in full bloom. Some of the canyons had large golden patches of the colorful flowers. We traveled through some areas where the Poppies were so thick the sweet odor filled the air for miles around.
The summit areas of Montana Mountain had suffered a fire within the last year so our travels took us through a couple of miles of blackened Pinion trees and desert flora. Once through the fire area, we arrived at a confluence with the AZT and some great camping areas. There was no water to be found up here, but the air was fresh and the Pinion trees gave off their pleasant distinct odor. A short distance further down the trails we arrived at the Rogers Trough Trailhead.
At the trailhead, we took a short break. There were six vehicles in the parking lot, all FWD. We admired the views of Iron Mountain in front of us and were glad we didn't have to ascend its steep sides. From here we began a decent from the mountains following route 172A which changed into 172 at a juncture further down.
The route we were on now was somewhat improved over the Jeep/ATV trails we had been on and we were able to make better time. As the trail continued down, we paused in a dry wash alongside Hackberry Butte where we scanned the cliffs with binoculars to see if we could find some Bighorn Sheep. Sure enough, there was one full curl guy silhouetted against the blue sky, but he disappeared before I could get my camera out if its bag (Dang it).
Our route continued down a very scenic Hewitt Canyon Road with some spectacular views of Roblas Butte and Hewitt Ridge, finally ending at Hewitt Station Road. A right turn here would have brought us to Queen Valley but a left would take us back to the parking lot and the end of the adventure.
Because of the trip distance and time, I was regrettably unable to take as many photos as I would like to, so that just means that I'm going to have to make a return trip to fill in the blanks. There were several ATV's out, a few Jeep's and a couple of motorized dirt bikes. There was a fair amount of litter along the route and "fans of the wilderness" that can't understand the signs recommending no motorized travel on some of the ridges. It's some of the most beautiful country in Arizona and deserves to be protected for our future generations  Sorry, I just had to put my  for measure. |
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Wildflowers Observation Moderate
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| On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another Gold Mine. Today the mine was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the next trip. |
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