Traveling the Apache Trail in Arizona.

[elfirebob]

We had a chance to travel a great route last summer and wanted to share this little piece of virtually untouched road in America's southwest.
The Arizona highway AZ 88 looked like a small line on our map but one we wanted to drive as we wandered around the lower half of the state. Following the Salt River and dotted with lakes, it promised great vistas, and chance to see some futere paddling spots for us.
This site:
Apache Trail Vintage Photos | Attraction Guide AZ Tours
paints a picture of what the trail originally looked like but in truth, it still looks the same. In many places the TinDen, our 25' rig took up the whole road. Most of the bridges were for one car at a time. The scene in the "Long Long Trailer" came to mind in a number of places.
We pressed on taking nearly three hours to traverse the 22 or so miles of dirt road. (We stopped a lot to check out the river, campsites and lakes)
As the road is not all that smooth, we had a number of "things" come down but in the end, our Airstream held up like a champ...
This trail/road is not for all but if you want to get a taste of times gone past in " Wanderlust" travels, check this route out.
We also posted a few pics on our members pictures on this site as well...
Stream Safe,
Bob 'n Nanc-
Smokey 'n Baer...
PS. As chance would have it, we did meet another vehicle, an SUV towing a boat on the blind curve, no worries!

[azflycaster]

Boy does this bring back some memories. I have not traveled that road in many years, but I doubt it has changed much. One major difference is how it ends at Roosevelt Dam. Before the dam was raised several years ago and the bridge was built in front of it, you had to drive across the top of the dam. You really did not want to try and fit two cars on the top of that dam at the same time.

Thanks for posting!

[elfirebob]

Nanc and I ran this road from East to West, down river. The first bit of the trail from the Roosevelt Dam viewing area is paved, then a blind curve starts the trail where it narrows, turns to dirt and starts hugging the Salt-
We had a great adventure, happy we found it. Should be a 4CU rite of passage...
Stream Safe!

[Diesel1]

Glad you made the trip. My last pass was a year ago on a bike. I travel that way every couple of years. The scenery is stunning! Adios, John

[mello mike]

Looks like a great trip to make. I don't know if I'd take my 31' Airstream on that road, however. Maybe a pickup and camper.

[klattu]

Did same road...only in a Honda...
We started at dam....
but it became dark before we got half way.
Looked as it would never end, could see headlights about 1 hour before we met them.

Some fantastic star viewing

[flakeyjake]

Back in the late 80's when they were building the bridge, I worked on the geotechnical studies of the bridge's foundations, and we had to drive over the dam as azflycaster noted. At that time, one would think that the crew would have driven the Apache Trail. Not!

After living in the Phoenix area for 20+ years, we finally drove downstream along the Trail just before we moved up to Oregon. All during the drive, we kept asking ourselves why we hadn't done it before. While we look forward to doing the drive again when we get back down to the Valley of the Sun, I don't think I'd want to pull the 'petit palais' on that road, maybe a boat, but not the A/S.

Hugh

[flyfshr]

My wife and I took the Apache Trail a couple of years ago. We were traveling upstream. I had the side of the road that dropped off and she had the uphill side. She kept telling me to watch out and when I told her we had enough room from the edge, she said she was talking about the overhanging formations over the road on her side. It was a hairy ride and one not to be driven in the dark while pulling anything. The worst part is Fish Creek Hill. Once we got to Roosevelt Lake, we set up camp on the shoreline which was about 50 below the high water mark. It felt like we were camping on the moon. We picked up and left camp the next morning and did the trail all over again. She got to see what I was looking at on the return trip.

I felt I earned my stripes each day.

Brad
FF

[elfirebob]

In truth, the trail was really rough in most places, light loose sand in others. We entered from the Dam side and did not realize the challange until we were commited (no turn-around). Within the first hour though, we were determined to complete the trai, slow down and enjoy the views. Toasty warm in July, we may venture the trail in cooler times, get some fishing in and kayak some the lakes.
Thanks for sharing your memories and look forward to mas adventures!
Wally would have run this with no problems I think...he wouldn't worry about the flat screen, microwave and getting dust in the DVD player!
Ya'll stream safe...
Bob 'n Nanc-
Heading for New Mexico again in October, Hasta la vista baby!