Rug Road - Mammoth to Klondyke to Hwy 70 • 4x4 Trip • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Tucson, AZ

4x4 Trip		Jan 04 2015
		louie • Triplogs 19

4x4 Trip	70.00 Miles	8,464 AEG

4x4 Trip	70.00 Miles
	8,464 ft AEG

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Just a short note on the conditions of this road from the Klondyke side. I attempted this in my Jeep Wrangler with 33's and a 2inch lift and couldn't make it up the first switch back coming out of Turkey Creek. Hardcore stairsteps, steep, and not enough clearance for my jeep. I had my kids with me and was worried I'd roll the jeep or do serious damage and be stuck out there. It sucked as I couldn't turn around and had to reverse it back down the trail. I talked to some guys on quads who came out of there and they said the actual "rug road" portion was much easier than what you'll see the first few miles out of Turkey Creek. They rolled their quad trailer on that first switch back out of turkey creek and blew their tire.

I'd love to do this road, but next time will start on the Mammoth side and see how far we can get. Beautiful country back in there.

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Not all who wander are lost...

Nov 26 2014

CannondaleKid

Guides 44
Routes 163
Photos 25,458
Triplogs 2,450

male

Joined May 04 2004
Mesa, AZ

Virgus Canyon (Upper) - via Rug Road

Tucson, AZ

4x4 Trip		Nov 26 2014
		CannondaleKid • Triplogs 2,450

4x4 Trip	70.00 Miles	8,464 AEG

4x4 Trip	70.00 Miles	5 Hrs 24 Mns	12.96 mph
	8,464 ft AEG

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Parsons Grove & Canyon via Rug Road

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JuanJaimeiii

After our aborted trip when I had the Samurai back in 2012 when Tracey said in no uncertain terms she wouldn't be caught dead on Rug Road, it pretty much put a damper on taking another stab at it, since it was one place I really didn't want to do completely solo.
:whistle:

But after JJ prodded me with a "when are we going to do another 4x4/hiking trip" I figured JJ wouldn't be a-feared'a no Carpet Hill (think Red-Neck language) so Rug Road would be the perfect trip... and from such thoughts are plans born. With a false start two weeks ago, the day before Thanksgiving would be the do-or-die-trying trip... Should we run into any trouble, we had a tent and sleeping bags to make it into an over-night if needed.

I picked up JJ in AJ at 5 am, planning on reaching Carpet Hill after sunrise as I didn't want to be in the dark first time all the way through. The group of white-tails we saw shortly before Carpet Hill would be the only wildlife for the whole day, hikes included.

It took slightly longer than I remembered to reach Carpet Hill, but once heading down, I wondered, was this actually Carpet Hill? All I remember was 3 & 4-foot boulders strewn all along the center of the road down the hill, which had proved to be a bit too much to safely pass with the Samurai. But what did we see? Not a single boulder in the road, just the series of bare rock steps near the bottom which were mere child's-play for the Cherokee. Still, it was slow going, averaging lowly 7.6 mph from Mammoth to the TH in Virgus Canyon.

After our figure-8 loop hike we hit the road heading east, hoping to find the going easier, or at least not so rough.
:pray:

Ha! Fat chance of that happening! This part of the trip was by far the roughest and thus slowest part of the drive, averaging a lowly 5.3 mph from Parson's Grove to Aravaipa Road. A number of times we took what appeared to be a bypass around a real bad spot, only to find the bypass worse than the drop-off, deep hole or boulder we were avoiding. Yet with all the bad-stuff we encountered the whole trip, only once did a rock kick up and hit the rock-slider bar on the driver side. Other than that, at no time did anything contact any part of the Cherokee.
:y:

I'm feeling the down-side to that fact today... holding my left foot hard on the brake for probably well over 2 hours while the Jeep literally crawled over/around obstacles has left me with a royal pain in the arthritic hip.
:-({|=

But back to the drive...
Once we hit Aravaipa Road things went at a faster pace.. until we turned onto Klondike Road heading east to Hwy 70, when we hit rocket speed... topping 75 more than a few times on the dirt road.
:guilty:

That managed to boost our overall average for the 52 miles from from Parson's Grove to the 70 to a whopping 12.96 mph. (Thank goodness it's not an unlucky 13!) Yes, averaging 60 mph on Klondike Road had a lot to do with that.
:whistle:

But overall, a fun time that just whetted my appetite for a series of return trips, albeit maybe not all the way through each time.

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CannondaleKid

3 archives

Nov 14 2014

dennis77

Triplogs 1

male

Joined Nov 14 2014
pima az

Tucson, AZ

4x4 Trip		Nov 14 2014
		dennis77 • Triplogs 1

4x4 Trip	70.00 Miles	8,464 AEG

4x4 Trip	70.00 Miles	2 Days
	8,464 ft AEG

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I've made the trip 2times starting from my place just out of pima at the start of Klondike road grant you it is rough once you start the climb up out of aravipa canyon if in a truck done that to not a good idea for those who don't drive so well I recommend 4×4 atv made the trip twice that way much more enjoyable and cuts lots of time went as a groop once I rode a grizly 350 2 friends rode 350 ranchers 1 rode 700 Polaris we hauled them on a trailer to four mile camp ground were we started are trip on the atvs around 2 pm took our time made it to the block house must be what's called Parsons grove by I believe 5 pm lot more to offer on an atv and much safer camped the night started the next day around 11 am rode to a mine from 1800s seen a date on a peace of equipment walked around an hour or so started the rest of the trip again made mammoth 3.30 pm I turned back right then for long 70 mile ride back my self friends stayed made it from my there on my grizly around 4pm to my house just out of pima around 8.30 pm 4 and a half hours any one who wants to go and really have fun ide take 4×4 atvs on mine I took a five gallon can of gas used most of it an ice chest full of bottled water and food a tint fold up grill and fold up chair and there is a couple places u get phone service I plan to go again every year love it

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Mar 16 2014

SkyIslander18

Guides 4
Photos 4,732
Triplogs 2,658

55 male

Joined Sep 29 2004
Small Town USA

Globe, AZ

Canyoneering		Mar 16 2014
		SkyIslander18 • Triplogs 2,658

Canyoneering	9.20 Miles	600 AEG

Canyoneering	9.20 Miles
	600 ft AEG

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Turkey Creek Cliff Dwelling

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PrestonSands

I had not been out to the Aravaipa area in almost 3 years so I was very excited about this overnight trip! Preston picked me up in Safford and together we traveled out to the canyon with a few scenic & historic stops along the way before arriving at the mouth of Turkey Creek around noon. After a short drive up the creek, we picked a campsite for the night then threw on the packs for our afternoon hike.....

..... after walking the remainder of Turkey Creek road and rounding the bend at the corrals, we entered Oak Grove Canyon. The route up this canyon was a little rough & slow going at times, but well worth it! Better than expected March greenery along the creek, some dramatic high canyon walls & bends with a few spring flowers here & there. It was very nice!
After exiting the canyon, we hiked up the Rug Road a couple of miles for the overlooks.
Man ..... what a rough road only the first mile of this is, I had to 4x4 hike it!
We then walked back down Turkey Creek road to our campsite at dusk to begin the night activities.

After sunset, we made the very short hike up to the Turkey Creek Cliff Dwelling for a super fun full moon photography session with the dwelling & stars. Then it was back down to camp for a "colorful" fire, quesadillas & chips, pottery firing (there is just no end to the Yeti's talent) and good campfire conversation. My day ended with full moonlight shining through my tent and visions of Aravaipa Canyon in my head .....

Thanks Preston for spending my B-Day with me in this most awesome area, Twas a wonderful day!

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

https://www.instagram.com/skyislander22/

Light flow

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Mar 16 2014

PrestonSands

Guides 170
Routes 148
Photos 5,914
Triplogs 2,097

male

Joined Apr 12 2004
Tucson, AZ

Turkey Creek Cliff Dwelling

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Mar 16 2014
		PrestonSands • Triplogs 2,097

Hiking	8.30 Miles	1,065 AEG

Hiking	8.30 Miles
	1,065 ft AEG		12 LBS Pack

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SkyIslander18

Rolling into Safford on Sunday morning, I picked up Chad and we were soon off on the long drive to the eastern end of Aravaipa. Driving past the Aravaipa trailhead into Turkey Canyon offered a brief glimpse of the beauty that lay in store for us the next day. We parked near the Turkey Creek cliff dwelling and set off on foot on the road. The road hike ended soon and we were boulder hopping up Oak Grove Canyon below massive cliffs of buff colored conglomerate, well guarded by a continuous stand of cottonwoods and sycamores. Water and then a flowing stream gradually appeared as we moved slowly up the well shaded canyon, which included an unexpected bigtooth maple patch. Chad found some great photo ops, while I sloshed my way through the creek a bit farther to Jackson Spring and the two rock towers near point 3828'. We soon regrouped and made our way out of this sliver of paradise onto the dusty route of the Turkey Creek road once more. "Hey, let's check out the Rug Road", so we did, climbing out of the canyon up god-awful, undercarriage wrecking rock steps onto a pleasant, open ridge which offered a great view of the surrounding area. I managed to slip and fall on my pumpkin, a victim of this savage, treacherous old road. Eventually we made it back to my truck, where we partook of the ice chest then made the short walk up to the cliff dwelling. Hiking back down, we set up camp nearby, next to an old corral in the creek bottom, and waited for darkness to arrive. Once it had, we returned to the cliff dwelling for some night photography experimentation. The evening was concluded with a colorful, roaring campfire, fire grilled quesadillas on fresh tortillas from the tortilleria in Willcox, birthday cake, and a pottery firing experiment. It had been a great day. The next day, Aravaipa awaited...

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"…you never know when a hike might break out" -Jim Gaffigan

Apr 28 2012

Pivo

Guides 2
Routes 514
Photos 5,611
Triplogs 4,333

male

Joined Mar 01 2009
Aztec, NM

Tucson, AZ

4x4 Trip		Apr 28 2012
		Pivo • Triplogs 4,333

4x4 Trip	70.00 Miles	8,464 AEG

4x4 Trip	70.00 Miles	2 Days
	8,464 ft AEG

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Baja Arizona Hiking

MyRudy

Intense 4x4 driving in beautiful country. This trip is not for the faint of heart or those not willing to risk damage to their vehicles. After only a few miles in on this trip, I determined the best vehicle for this trip is someone else's.

We started bright and early Saturday morning, planning on getting to Turkey Creek to camp for the night. Fat Chance, the mechanical problems and ultra-slow driving, made that impossible. We did 10.9 miles in 10 hours on Saturday before stopping for the night.

First days damage report: 4 bent running boards, 1 snapped radio antennae, tire carnage a plenty ( chunks missing galore) 2 flats, 1 cracked axle, 1 overheating episode ( stuck thermostat).

Camped in a nice area near Parsons Cabin on Saturday; totally exhausted from the days challenges.

Bright and early Sunday, we start the day with a flat tire in camp. In addition to strapping the cracked axle for support, oil need to be added frequently to the rear differential to keep it moving.

After more bad road we finally get to Turkey Creek around 11:00AM. After a short walk to the Ruins we had lunch and made our way back to Tucson via Wilcox instead of the planned trip to Safford.

Loading up on 90 weight, and purchasing a used tire, we were back on the road stopping every 20 minutes to fill the rear diff.

All and all a very enjoyable, stressful weekend adventure. If you go, be prepared. Bring tools, extra water, extra food, tires, oil, etc.

Good tires are a must! Recommendation is 32" or better, Lockers will save wear and tear on your vehicle too.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cow

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cadastral Survey Marker Salado Habitation

Wildflowers Observation Light

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Apr 04 2012

Thoreau

Routes 10
Photos 466
Triplogs 680

male

Joined Mar 10 2008
Phoenix, AZ

Tucson, AZ

4x4 Trip		Apr 04 2012
		Thoreau • Triplogs 680

4x4 Trip	70.00 Miles	8,464 AEG

4x4 Trip	70.00 Miles	3 Days
	8,464 ft AEG

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Ran this from Klondkye to Mammoth. Other than finding a rear locker to actually be detrimental to staying alive in a few spots, it was fairly easy to tackle carpet hill... albeit slow going. Not ideal if you have an irrational fear of tipping over either. =)

FJ Cruiser, 3in lift, 33in 285 MT tires, and minimal use of the skid plates.

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Mar 03 2012

CannondaleKid

Guides 44
Routes 163
Photos 25,458
Triplogs 2,450

male

Joined May 04 2004
Mesa, AZ

Tucson, AZ

4x4 Trip		Mar 03 2012
		CannondaleKid • Triplogs 2,450

4x4 Trip	42.60 Miles	6,084 AEG

4x4 Trip	42.60 Miles	5 Hrs 4 Mns	11.78 mph
	6,084 ft AEG

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trixiec

With both of us sharing a rare 2 days off in a row we planned a very ambitious schedule, hoping to drive all the way from Mesa to Mammoth and out Copper Creek/Rug Road the 18 miles or so to the Parson's Grove TH, do the Parson's Grove hike, scout out some of the mining roads on the drive back out to Mammoth, spending the night there. With the information gained during the day we'd amend the plans for Sunday's activities, which would be mine and ruin hunting.

Well... best laid plans... at least we got off to a good start. At well under 2 hours we made great time from Mesa to Mammoth and the first 11+ miles out Copper Creek Rd & the early part of Rug Road passed in under an hour even through so rough and rocky terrain, but once on Carpet Hill things slowed to a crawl, literally.

Within a mile or two of hitting Rug Road it quickly became serious 4x4 terrain if not rock-crawling terrain, which meant continuous and careful tire placement every foot of the way. It wasn't far before Tracey was voicing her concerns about how bad it was and how it had already exceeded her comfort level. That was par for the course because even I was at the edge of my comfort level. But since neither turning around nor backing up the hill was a possibility all there was to do was keep going. Probably 1/3 the way down the hill when we came to a spot where it was possible to turn around we stopped and I started walking down the hill to see what it was like farther down. It was not pretty at all... more of what we just passed through along with some areas so slick it took crawling on all fours at times to get back up.

That's when we had to make the decision whether to continue on or make a running change in our plans. Gauging the time it would require to get to the bottom of Carpet Hill, driving out to the TH, doing the hike then add the time it would require for the drive trip back up the hill it was an easy decision to head back up the hill and start our mine/ruin recon early. As usual, I found it much easier to drive back up the hill because I was seeing each obstacle from a second viewpoint.

Once back onto Copper Creek Road we headed for a few areas where I had information mines that closed in the early 1900's along with some ruins. Turned out a but of a surprise because instead of possible early native ruins that we hoped for they were from the mining era in the late 1800's to early 1900's. But no matter, we met a group of folks who just happened to have plans to hike to one of the spots I had marked a waypoint for. And so we joined them.

After the hike we drove out a different route along some of the ancient mining roads in the area. We had been told by the folks in the group we hiked with that new mining patents had just been issued and much of the area would be closed to the public very soon so we were on the lookout for anything of interest while we were here. Unfortunately, without detailed maps of the old mining roads or knowing how many of them were still passable, we stuck to what appeared to be main roads on our way back to Mammoth.

Before turning in for the evening we took a drive into Oracle for a great pizza at Mama Nonna's Pizzeria, taking a long roundabout drive south through San Manuela, across the San Pedro River and back to Mammoth via the dirt River Rd. Although we had more information to prepare for the next day, so much was iffy that we would take a completely different tack on Sunday.

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CannondaleKid

May 17 2009

ssk44

Guides 20
Routes 12
Photos 2,343
Triplogs 298

51 male

Joined Mar 31 2008
Gilbert, AZ

Virgus Canyon (Upper) - via Rug Road

Tucson, AZ

4x4 Trip		May 17 2009
		ssk44 • Triplogs 298

4x4 Trip	70.00 Miles	8,464 AEG

4x4 Trip	70.00 Miles
	8,464 ft AEG

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Grasshopper

(Rug Road, 05/17/2009)

Truly an epic four-wheel drive adventure into one of the most remote and unique areas of the state. This was my sixth trip along this route and most definitely not my last. This area has so much to offer for those that live for remote backcountry exploration. The northwest Galiuro Mountains have truly captured my heart. I really do love this area.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Arizona Grape Canyon Live Oak

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] HAZ Rides Pioneer Industry Stone Dwelling Wooden Dwelling

Wildflowers Observation Light

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MATTHEW 11:28-30 / PSALM 84:1-2

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May 17 2009

Grasshopper

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

80 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ

Virgus Canyon (Upper) - via Rug Road

Globe, AZ

Hiking		May 17 2009
		Grasshopper • Triplogs 578

Hiking	3.90 Miles	752 AEG

Hiking	3.90 Miles	3 Hrs 25 Mns	1.14 mph
	752 ft AEG

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Parsons Grove & Canyon via Rug Road

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ssk44

On our 2nt/3day (5/16-18/09) seventy mile road trip on the legendary "Rug Road" Eric & I had one full day to do a couple of seperate day trips from our primary campsite which served as the TH Start for this days' activities. On this Sun-5/17, we first hiked down Upper Virgus Canyon.

This lush, reparian, and remote canyon which the "Rug Road" crosses, offers a great location for a backpack campsite (only 1 mile hike in) and/or a remote off-trail canyon dayhike. This canyon has a seasonal creek with large sycamore trees, a historic cabin- Virgus Cabin & Corrals, and also has a perennial spring (Bleak Spring) which is located only 100 yards behind the old Virgus Cabin.

We much enjoyed viewing all the Virgus homestead history as my pic set attempts to show and also the serious geology that took place in this scenic canyon. We had plans to hike another mile down canyon, but the sometimes thick overgrowth in this riparian canyon creek was just too time consuming as we had another day trip planned this day.

Just FYI.. for those who are familiar with Aravaipa Canyon, approximately six miles further down Virgus Canyon from where our hike ended, is the intersection with a beautiful section of the Aravaipa Canyon Wilderness/Perserve. A very popular backpack choice (admission by BLM-Safford office, permit only).

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Arizona Grape Arizona Sycamore

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Black-tailed Rattlesnake

Geology

Geology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Chrysocolla

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Wooden Dwelling

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Bleak Spring Virgus Canyon

Wildflowers Observation Light

	Bleak Spring	Quart per minute	Quart per minute
	This is a perennial spring;

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(Outside.. "there is No Place Like It!!")

May 17 2009

Grasshopper

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

80 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ

Parsons Grove & Canyon via Rug Road

Globe, AZ

4x4 Trip		May 17 2009
		Grasshopper • Triplogs 578

4x4 Trip	6.40 Miles	915 AEG

4x4 Trip	6.40 Miles	2 Hrs 45 Mns	2.33 mph
	915 ft AEG

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ssk44

On our 2nt/3day (5/16-18/09) seventy mile road trip on the legendary "Rug Road" Eric & I had one full day to do a couple of seperate day trips from our primary campsite which served as the TH Start for this days' activities. On this Sun-5/17, our second day outing was via a 4x4 trip in my "Grasshopper" to Parsons Canyon.

This popular side trip which the "Rug Road" crosses at Parsons Grove/Canyon & Cabin offers a look back in time at old Arizona 19th century remote ranching & corral building history. After viewing Parsons Grove & Cabin area, this side trip continues for 2.25 miles on an old two track route up Parsons Canyon (see posted GPS Route) past the old Don Jose Corrals to end at the small, scenic setting, & historic Don Jose Cabin with its unique corrals;

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Parsons Canyon

Wildflowers Observation Light

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(Outside.. "there is No Place Like It!!")

May 16 2009

Grasshopper

Guides 48
Routes 510
Photos 9,555
Triplogs 578

80 male

Joined Dec 28 2006
Scottsdale, AZ