I've lost count how many times I've driven to Las Vegas on Highway 93. Each time I made that drive, I would always day dream about the roads and trails that are visible off in the distance. Where did they go? Who lives over that hill? What am I missing?
Well, a couple weeks ago a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to tag along for a Phoenix to Vegas turn around trip in his Mini. He had some business to take care of wanted some company for the drive. Always being fair game for an adventure, even an "on road" one, I said yes and we started to figure out what day would be best to head up there. Before we had a date set we joked "too bad we can't check out those roads." There was a silence as we both just stared at each other. A childish grin crossed both of our faces ... each knowing what the other was thinking ... time to pack up the FJ!
I got to work planning the route and immediately encountered some challenges. As the crow flies, Highway 93 is about as straight as you can get. I asked around (thanks to the fellow Expo members that provided some suggestions) and began to Google, plot, consult maps, calculate, etc.
The goal of the trip was simple:
- Phoenix to Vegas
- Use as many non-paved or non-highway roads as possible
- Complete the journey in a single, long day
- Have a great time
After much planning and deliberation, the route basically came down to the following:
- Head north out of Phoenix on 17
- Leave the pavement at Black Canyon City
- Black Canyon City to Bumble Bee via Maggie Mine Road
- Bumble Bee to Cordes
- Cordes to Mayer
- Mayer to Poland Junction
- Poland Junction to Breezy Pines
- Breezy Pines to Walker
- Walker to Prescott
- Prescott to Williamson
- Williamson north to Seligman via Williamson Valley Road
- Seligman west to Hackberry Road via dirt roads running parallel to the 40
- Hackberry Road north to Anteras on Route 66
- Anteras north to Cyclopic
- Cyclopic to White Hills
- White Hills to Highway 93
- Highway 93 to Hoover Dam and then continue on to Las Vegas
This route was used because it seemed to be a lot shorter than the Castle Hot Springs to Wickenburg, Wickenburg to Congress, Congress to Bagdad, Bagdad to Signal, Signal west to Oatman, Oatman to Laughlin route that I was more or less investigating as well. I figured we had about 13 to 14 hours in the truck including stops for gas, food, photos, etc.
Well, last Sunday, we started our great adventure. The Engel was loaded, fuel cans full, recovery and first aid gear at the ready, tools and camping gear packed, and two good friends set out in the rain on an adventure.
The first leg of the trip was flawless. At Mayer we rejoined the pavement for a stretch to get to Poland Junction. I had tried to find a non-highway route, but was unable to locate one. At Poland Junction we headed up towards Breezy Pines. I had checked the weather reports as much as possible the two days prior, but was unable to locate anything specific to Walker or Breezy Pines. As we headed up the road there were a couple of trucks coming down that still had some large piles of snow on the hoods and roof racks.
The road towards Breezy Pines leaving Poland Junction:
The view looking up towards the mountains:
As we got closer to Breezy Pines you could see the snow everywhere and I started to question about the condition of the road ahead. It was clear that had been snow on the ground for some time, with fresh snow being added the night before, but the tire tracks were pretty obvious and it appeared to be well traveled. After passing through Breezy Pines we found this sign:
And this road laying in front of us:
The FJ:
Photo of me by the truck:
After some discussion we decided to forge ahead, but under the agreement that if we felt uncomfortable, or if the FJ felt uneasy or was having a hard time, we would immediately turn around and head back for an alternative route. Five minutes later we're hung up on some rocks under the snow that we can't see and we spend the next ten minutes or so slowing reversing back to a turn around point. At this point the snow was falling pretty heavy and we were very pleased with our decision to head back to Poland Junction.
At Poland Junction we got back on the highway and traveled until we reached the Prescott Country Club. I had found a road out of the northern part, Old Black Canyon Highway, that would take us most of the way to Prescott without using the highway the entire way.
We stopped in Prescott at the Hotel St. Michael Hotel breakfast:
We had a great meal, then hopped back in the truck to continue on. As we left Prescott we headed north on the Williamson Valley Road. This was more or less two lanes, homes and some ranches on both sides for a couple of miles then .... MUD! Lots and lots of mud. I wasn't sure what to think as I saw a couple full size Fords and Dodges sliding all over the place on the road. Two guys were stuck on the side and it appeared as if one guy got stuck, asked for help, and then the second guy got stuck. I offered to help, but they declined and we proceeded on.
To be continued ...
Well, a couple weeks ago a friend of mine asked me if I wanted to tag along for a Phoenix to Vegas turn around trip in his Mini. He had some business to take care of wanted some company for the drive. Always being fair game for an adventure, even an "on road" one, I said yes and we started to figure out what day would be best to head up there. Before we had a date set we joked "too bad we can't check out those roads." There was a silence as we both just stared at each other. A childish grin crossed both of our faces ... each knowing what the other was thinking ... time to pack up the FJ!
I got to work planning the route and immediately encountered some challenges. As the crow flies, Highway 93 is about as straight as you can get. I asked around (thanks to the fellow Expo members that provided some suggestions) and began to Google, plot, consult maps, calculate, etc.
The goal of the trip was simple:
- Phoenix to Vegas
- Use as many non-paved or non-highway roads as possible
- Complete the journey in a single, long day
- Have a great time
After much planning and deliberation, the route basically came down to the following:
- Head north out of Phoenix on 17
- Leave the pavement at Black Canyon City
- Black Canyon City to Bumble Bee via Maggie Mine Road
- Bumble Bee to Cordes
- Cordes to Mayer
- Mayer to Poland Junction
- Poland Junction to Breezy Pines
- Breezy Pines to Walker
- Walker to Prescott
- Prescott to Williamson
- Williamson north to Seligman via Williamson Valley Road
- Seligman west to Hackberry Road via dirt roads running parallel to the 40
- Hackberry Road north to Anteras on Route 66
- Anteras north to Cyclopic
- Cyclopic to White Hills
- White Hills to Highway 93
- Highway 93 to Hoover Dam and then continue on to Las Vegas
This route was used because it seemed to be a lot shorter than the Castle Hot Springs to Wickenburg, Wickenburg to Congress, Congress to Bagdad, Bagdad to Signal, Signal west to Oatman, Oatman to Laughlin route that I was more or less investigating as well. I figured we had about 13 to 14 hours in the truck including stops for gas, food, photos, etc.
Well, last Sunday, we started our great adventure. The Engel was loaded, fuel cans full, recovery and first aid gear at the ready, tools and camping gear packed, and two good friends set out in the rain on an adventure.
The first leg of the trip was flawless. At Mayer we rejoined the pavement for a stretch to get to Poland Junction. I had tried to find a non-highway route, but was unable to locate one. At Poland Junction we headed up towards Breezy Pines. I had checked the weather reports as much as possible the two days prior, but was unable to locate anything specific to Walker or Breezy Pines. As we headed up the road there were a couple of trucks coming down that still had some large piles of snow on the hoods and roof racks.
The road towards Breezy Pines leaving Poland Junction:
The view looking up towards the mountains:
As we got closer to Breezy Pines you could see the snow everywhere and I started to question about the condition of the road ahead. It was clear that had been snow on the ground for some time, with fresh snow being added the night before, but the tire tracks were pretty obvious and it appeared to be well traveled. After passing through Breezy Pines we found this sign:
And this road laying in front of us:
The FJ:
Photo of me by the truck:
After some discussion we decided to forge ahead, but under the agreement that if we felt uncomfortable, or if the FJ felt uneasy or was having a hard time, we would immediately turn around and head back for an alternative route. Five minutes later we're hung up on some rocks under the snow that we can't see and we spend the next ten minutes or so slowing reversing back to a turn around point. At this point the snow was falling pretty heavy and we were very pleased with our decision to head back to Poland Junction.
At Poland Junction we got back on the highway and traveled until we reached the Prescott Country Club. I had found a road out of the northern part, Old Black Canyon Highway, that would take us most of the way to Prescott without using the highway the entire way.
We stopped in Prescott at the Hotel St. Michael Hotel breakfast:
We had a great meal, then hopped back in the truck to continue on. As we left Prescott we headed north on the Williamson Valley Road. This was more or less two lanes, homes and some ranches on both sides for a couple of miles then .... MUD! Lots and lots of mud. I wasn't sure what to think as I saw a couple full size Fords and Dodges sliding all over the place on the road. Two guys were stuck on the side and it appeared as if one guy got stuck, asked for help, and then the second guy got stuck. I offered to help, but they declined and we proceeded on.
To be continued ...
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