Arizona travel in May

[colleen_kumrow]

We are planning a trip to Northern Arizona in May. We have permits

for Coyote Buttes North, and are considering a trip to Toroweap

Overlook in the Grand Canyon. Can anyone tell me if a passenger car

can travel the dirt roads to these locations, or are we better off

renting an SUV? I have found several conflicting reports as to road

quality and vehicle accessibility, and am unsure which ones to

believe.

Also, any suggestions for other locations to visit in the area are

welcome. Thanks.

[hank_pennington]

Colleen-

 

A lot will depend upon the vagueries of recent weather- If it has

rained recently a road that is otherwise passable in a sedan will

turn to peanut butter. Almost anywhere you go in the Southwest,

the back country is crisscrossed with old mining roads and

such. I would recommend an SUV so you have a little more

opportunity to follow your heart as you explore wonderful new

country.

 

As for specific locations, here's a favorite that's east of Phoenix

on I-60. Near Apache Junction there is a large military reserve

area which is open to the public when it isn't in use for

manouvers, etc. It has the best cacti I have found anywhere. Go

further east, and the Bureau of Land Management has a

rockhound park of some sort, the specific title of which escapes

me now. I don't collect rocks, but I was dazzled by the country the

network of roads (yes, dirt ones) passes through.

 

You biggest problem will be finding the time to explore a whole

lot of fantastic country whether you travel east, west, north or

south from Phoenix.

 

Hank

[phil_goble]

I drove Toroweap in a Blazer, but a passenger car could make it if you don't mind shaking the suspension. When we went back there was a large motorhome already there. I am sure it wasn't airlifted in. There are three main routes to get to Toroweep. We took the middle route. It took me substantially less time than the rangers indicated, but my friends would characterize me as an "aggressive" driver. As indicated earlier, rain turns the roads to mush and makes things difficult. I found the roads good until the last mile or two, at which point you are driving over washboard rock. Even then, it isn't bad if you drive slowly. Given a choice, I would take an SUV. If you need more information email me directly.

[val_a]

Passenger car is OK for Coyote Buttes North. The only problem that you will not be able to go over 15 m/h posted speed limit. This is a decent gravel road (~8.5 miles one way) with some spots that require slow driving.

[christian deichert]

Usually Arizona dirt roads will take passenger cars unless they are signed for 4WD traffic only. "Primitive roads" are doable but watch your speed and look out for rocks. The biggest danger I've experienced is hitting an unexpected dip, which can seriously damage the undercarriage if there are big rocks down there. I managed to crack open the transmission on my 1995 Accord by taking a dip too quickly on a Forest Service road in the Coronado National Forest. Still, for the most part, as long as I drive it carefully, that car can get a lot of places around here.

[chris_torek]

Just a note about SUVs: the rides in most of these are actually worse than most cars (SUVs are, after all, just pickup trucks with back seats instead of beds). What you get is (a) 4WD and (b) high clearance, and even (b) is often lacking. The 4WD helps in mud and sand, but remember that the difference between 2WD and 4WD is that when you get stuck in a 4WD you're twenty miles further from help. :-)

 

Seriously, if you have access to a winch or a come-along, take that with you (and learn where the tow points are on the frame or unibody). That will do more for you than even 4WD. If not, the SUV may help get you unstuck, if you think you will go anywhere you might get stuck. If you rent an off-road vehicle for off-road use, make sure it comes with a winch.