Chiva Falls Pools Trail

This short spur is off the Chiva Falls trail (see Chiva Falls Adventure for more information). In the summer months, I enjoy going to the pools more than Chiva Falls. The pools are a series of three large (by southern Arizona standards) pools feed by a series of small waterfalls. After a summer monsoon, these pools are a great place for a cool swim. If you are brave enough, you can also do some cliff jumping into the largest pool from heights of 10 to about 25 feet.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/4wd/chivapools/chivapools.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Chiva Falls Lower Loop Trail

When I first started going out to Chiva Falls, this trails was closed. I believe the forest service opened the trail around the year 2000. When it was first opened it was classified as very difficult (a 7 or 8) until it was bulldozed a few years ago. Now I would rate it a 7 (due to a boulder field in a wash and some very steep hills in which having a locker is helpful to climb).The trail offers some extremely beautiful views as it ascends the steep foothills of the Rincon Mountains.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/4wd/chivalowerloop/chivalowerloop.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Charouleau Gap

Charouleau Gap (pronounced shar-lou) is one of the most well-known and difficult trails around Tucson. It connects the towns of Catalina and Oracle through a “gap” in the Catalina mountain range. It has a long history of tearing up stock 4wd’s and spitting them out. Those with modified trucks need not worry, this trail has enough bite to give you a workout if look for it. And it’s a ton of fun to boot.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/4wd/charouleaugap/charouleaugap.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Experience Arizona Quick Trip Reports

We’ve decided to add an exciting new feature to Experience Arizona, which we’re calling Quick Trip Reports or QTR’s. As all of you already know, Experience Arizona is dedicated to providing the best, most detailed information regarding hiking, biking and four-wheeling in Arizona. And I think we’re doing that.

But there’s more to enjoying Arizona than just hiking, biking and four-wheeling. A lot more. Maybe you want to dip your toes in a cool stream on a hot day? Or find a shady spot to observe some of Arizona’s colorful birds? Or a unique place to eat lunch? Maybe attend a little-known festival in a small town? Anything that might be fun and exciting to do on a weekend.

QTR’s to the rescue.

QTR’s will be placed on the Experience Arizona blog site and will be short and to the point. One or two paragraphs describing the site or adventure, maybe a picture or two, possibly a GPS waypoint and a general map (but no detailed directions). Bim, Bam, Boom and you’re done. Free to go explore it on your own!

In addition, some QTR’s may only include a picture and short description with no GPS coordinates. No, we’re not being lazy or mean. We believe puzzles are fun. We’re going to leave it up to you to figure out where it is and how to get there. Don’t worry, we’ll provide enough clues to solve the mystery (though some will be harder than others). Besides, we believe exploring new areas is half the fun anyway.

Look for QTR’s to start popping up on the Experience Arizona blog shortly. I hope you enjoy them. And, as always, I’d love to hear from you. Send me pictures, descriptions and GPS coordinates for that perfect spot, park, out-of-the-way diner, or whatever, I’d be happy to post them here.

Remember, the more people involved the more new areas ALL of us can explore and enjoy.

Raymert Townsite

This is a short, mostly unknown spur trail off the Box Canyon / Martinez Mine trails near Florence, Arizona that leads to the old town site of Reymert. This is fun offshoot of the main track and an interesting place to go explore (especially if you want to be alone).

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/4wd/reymert/reymert.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Broken Arrow

Red Rock formation near beginning of trail

The Broken Arrow trail is located in the heart of the red rocks in Sedona. The Broken Arrow trail is a short, very scenic, moderately challenging 4wd trail. This is one of my favorite four wheel drive trails in Arizona.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/4wd/brokenarrow/brokenarrow.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Rug Road / Carpet Hill / Turkey Creek

Carpet Hill

This is extremely remote, ruff and beautiful 4wd trail located between Mammoth and Klondyke, Arizona.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/4wd/rugroad/rugroad.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Rice Peak

Mine shaft at site of old mine


The Rice Peak trail is located in Santa Catalina Mountains north of Tucson. The Rice Peak trail is a scenic, moderate 4wd trail. There are numerous other four wheel drive trails to explore as well hiking trails (the Oracle Ridge segment of the Arizona Trail intersects and follows Rice Peak road for a couple of miles).

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/4wd/ricepeak/ricepeak.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Sasco

The smelter at Sasco

Sasco has changed considerably since I first went there over twenty years ago. It used to be a place no one knew about—or cared about. The old smelter and catacombs were amazing. A mysterious and sometimes a little creepy place to explore. Unfortunately, in the past ten years, Sasco has been discovered by paintballers. It’s true that the catacombs and surrounding foundations make excellent bunkers and is paintballing heaven, but they have trashed the place for everyone else. Exploring the catacombs, the mud, the old concrete, used to bring you back a hundred years. Now, much of the area is covered in neon colored “paintball slime” from hundreds of thousands of exploded paintballs. The walls are covered in this goo and it can be hard to walk without stepping on paintballs.

Okay, enough of the downer. If you haven’t been to Sasco, you should still go. See it while you still can. Climb up the hill to the top, walk along the elevated tracks. Try to ignore the paintballs and trash.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/4wd/sasco/sasco.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Montana Mountain Trail

Nice Views

The Montana Mountain trail is an easy 4WD trail, which offers scenic views, varying terrain, old mining and ranch cabins and even a few anxious moments for those who are scared of heights. This trail also provides access to many hiking trails.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/4wd/montanamtn/montanamtn.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Ridgeline Loop trail

Along the ridge

The Ridgeline Loop trail is a moderately demanding 4WD trail, which offers some unique points of interest along the way.


The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/4wd/ridgelineloop/ridgeline.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Box Canyon / Martinez Mine

Box Canyon / Martinez Canyon

The Box Canyon trail is located in a mountainous area east of Florence. The Box Canyon trail is a scenic, moderate 4wd trail that provides access to numerous other 4wd trails ranging in difficulty from easy to extreme. Martinez Canyon trail is a difficult trail (mostly moderate with a short difficult section at the end) accessed from the Box Canyon trail that ends in a beautiful rocky canyon that is home to some of the most well-preserved mining ruins I have seen in Arizona.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/4wd/boxcanyon/boxcanyon.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Kentucky Camp Trail

Take a trip back in time! Kentucky Camp is a small gem in the rolling foothills of the Santa Rita Mountains southeast of Tucson. An easy dirt road takes you back in time to a late 1800s mining camp. A short, easy trip of approximately 5 miles (one-way) on a well-graded forest road leads to Kentucky Camp. Numerous signs along the trail point you from FR 92 to FR 163 and the Kentucky Camp parking area. Along the trail, many two tracks and forest roads sprout in all directions allowing a secluded picnic with panoramic views. This is a favorite place for mountain biking or ATV riding. On Saturdays the vehicle gate at the Kentucky Camp parking area may be open. This allows driving the remaining ¼ mile down to the camp. Otherwise, this portion of the trail must be hiked or biked.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/4wd/kentuckycamp/kentuckycamp.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Chimney Rock Trail

Chimney Rock is a unique feature in the rolling foothills of Redington Pass east of Tucson. The trail is a moderate to demanding 4WD trail which takes you to the “back entrance” of Chimney Rock.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/4wd/chimneyrock/chimneyrock.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

Chiva Falls Trail

Chiva Falls is one of my favorite 4WD trails around Tucson. It’s a fun and moderately challenging trip that ends at a 75-foot waterfall smack dab in the middle of the desert—a true diamond in the rough.

The information from this blog has been moved to the Experience Arizona website at: http://www.experience-az.com/adventures/4wd/Chivafalls/chivafalls.html

The Experience Arizona website has a lot more than the adventures contained in this blog:
- Interactive maps
- Weather
- To Do List
- Updated information
- Information on Arizona wildlife, plantlife and history
- Online magazine
- All for FREE!

Take a look, you'll be glad you did!

4wd Trail Rating

Rating: 1 Maintained Dirt Road. These roads are graded or maintained year round. Typical non-paved county roads.. Dry, or less than 3" water crossing depth. Gentle grades. 2WD under all conditions except snow. No width problems, two vehicles wide.

Rating: 2 Semi-Maintained Dirt Roads. These dirt roads are occasionally graded or maintained. They may cross sandy washes and sections may be rough (washboards). Dry, or less than 3" water crossing depth. Some ruts. Slight grades, up to 10 degrees. 2WD under most conditions. Rain or snow may make 4WD necessary. Usually one and a half to two vehicles wide.

Rating: 3 Easy 2WD/4WD. Dirt road. Rutted, washes, or gulches. Features trails with obstacles that are easy to navigate. In optimum weather conditions, these trails may not require the continual use of four-wheel drive (4WD). Water crossings up to 6" depth. Passable mud. Grades up to 10 degrees. Small rocks or holes. 4WD recommended but 2WD possible under good conditions and with adequate ground clearance and skill. No width problems for any normal vehicle. Vehicle passing spots frequently available if less than two vehicles wide.

Rating: 4 Easy 4WD. Straightforward trails on which low range 4WD will be required. Rutted and/or rocky road. No shelves but rocks to 9". Water crossings usually less than hub deep. Passable mud. Grades moderate, up to 15 degrees. Side hill moderate up to 15 degrees. 4WD under most conditions. No width problems, vehicle passing spots frequently available if less than two vehicles wide.

Rating: 5 Moderate 4WD trail. Moderately demanding trails on which 4WD will be required. Possible with stock 4WD vehicle, however, recommend traction device (limited slip) in rear differential, aggressive tread and low air pressure. Higher ground clearance and Off-Road tires are recommended. Rutted and/or rocky road. No shelves. Rocks up to 12" and water crossings up to 12" with possible currents. Passable mud. Moderate grades to 15 degrees. 6" holes. Side hill to 20 degrees. 4WD required. No width problems.

Rating: 6 Demanding 4WD trail. Demanding trails on which 4WD is required. Quite rocky or deep ruts. Rocks to 12" and frequent. Water crossings may exceed hub depth with strong currents. Shelves to 6". Mud may require checking before proceeding. Moderate grades to 20 degrees. Sidehill may approach 30 degrees. Moderate experience and driving skill helpful. Second attempts may be required with stock vehicles. Caution may be required with wider vehicles.

Rating: 7 Challenging 4WD trail. Challenging trails on which 4WD is required. You will encounter a variety of more difficult challenges (loose rocks, large potholes, steep inclines, and large rocks) on these trails. Not recommended with most stock 4WD vehicles. Traction device (limited slip) in rear differential, aggressive tread and low air pressure recommended. Higher than stock ground clearance is advisable. Moderate experience and driving skill advised. Likely paint damage, possible rocker-panel damage. Rocks frequent and large, 12" and may exceed hub height. Holes frequent or deep (12"). Shelves to 9". Mud 8" deep and may be present on uphill sections. Grades to 25 degrees and sidehill to 30 degrees. Water crossings to 18" and may have strong currents. 1-1/2 vehicles wide.

Rating: 8 Difficult trail. These trails traverse very rugged terrain. Higher than stock ground clearance is required. Aggressive tread and low air pressure are required. Traction Devices (Lockers or limited-slip) in the differentials (front and rear), lift, and larger tires are highly recommended. These trails require above average Off-Road driving skills. High-Lift jacks and winches would also be helpful. There will likely be paint damage and possible vehicle body and/or mechanical damage. Heavy rock and/or severe ruts. Rocks exceeding hub height frequent. Shelves to 12". Deep mud or uphill mud sections. Steep grades to 25 degrees and can be loose or rocky. Water crossings may exceed 30" in depth. Side hill to 30 degrees. One vehicle wide. Not passable by most stock vehicles.

Rating: 9 Extreme trail. These trails cross extremely rugged terrain with very steep inclines, large boulders, and potentially dangerous situations. These trails require modified vehicles, including lift, lockers, and over-sized tires. A High level of Off-Road driving skill is required. Extreme caution required. There will likely be paint damage, possible vehicle body and/or mechanical damage. There are possibilities of rollovers. Winches are recommended. Severe rock over 15". Frequent deep holes over 15". Shelves over 15". Mud bog conditions (long, deep, no form bottom). Over 30" water crossings with strong currents. Steep grades over 30 degrees. Sidehill over 30 degrees.

Rating: 10 Impassable trail.These trails are for the extreme four-wheeler only. Extreme caution recommended. These trails require highly modified vehicles, including lift, excellent articulation, lockers front and rear, large tires with aggressive tread, winches, high lift jacks. A High level of Off-Road driving skill is required. Paint damage is virtually guaranteed, body and/or mechanical damage is very likely. Rollovers will be more common on these trails. Impassable by stock vehicles. Winching required. Trail building necessary. May be impassable. Impassable under anything but ideal conditions. Vehicle damage probable. Personal injury possible. Extreme caution necessary.