Arizona Traverse Project: Segment Two (Moto)

[Scott Brady]

The last two days, we worked on completing the Wickenburg to Prescott section of the AZ Traverse. About 100 miles of new connection, which starts at the Box Canyon of the Hassayampa and connects with the back road to Crown King, just when it gets really interesting. This section of the route is super challenging, and hits with rutted and loose climb after climb and rocky segments, etc. It is a full 2.5-3.0 in several sections.

Along the Senator Highway, a historic Overland Route from Phoenix to the territorial capitol of Prescott.

Jeremy had a slightly different approach

We stopped in Crown King for a burger and a soda. The one fueling pump was closed... This would be an issue later.

I am now researching the original Ehrenburg Road, which connected with the Bradshaw at the Colorado (now the small town of Ehrenburg along I10)

 

[Scott Brady]

From Crown King, we headed south on the Senator to the technical segment of the CK back road. This trail hits you right off the start.

At the Oro Bell Mine, it gets more interesting, and Nathan and I discuss the line for the KTM.

Bringing the KTM through

Nathan comes through the crux

 

[Scott Brady]

More of the trail, before the turn-off to Wickenburg.

Jeremy on the "Angry Canary"

Continuing to lose elevation, we transitioned from Pine to scrub and a few more ledges.

Nathan, with Lake Pleasant in the background

And into the transition zone of the Sonoran Desert. It was a rugged and healthy area of desert, and the road was exceptionally loose and steep. I had a slow speed crash on the KTM, sliding into a rut. We were getting tired and dehydrated, as we were running low on water. Then my low fuel light came on...

 

[crawldit]

That's awesome. I always wondered if there was a route to get from Box Canyon of the Hassayampa to the back road to Crown King. Was there much street time?

Sorry I jumped in early....looks like you're still posting.

 

[d0va]

thats real nice...

 

[Scott Brady]

Dropping off the foothills, we hit a 5 mile section of dry wash. The sand was deep and managing the KTM was hard work. My Camelback was getting lighter and the low fuel light kept flashing impending doom...

Once out of the larger wash, we entered into a narrow, rock filled canyon.

Exhausted from riding 12 hours, we made camp in a saddle, at about 3,000 feet. Too hot to use sleeping bags, we slept in our riding shorts and were eaten throughout the night by mosquitoes. The display of stars was magnificent, as none of us got much sleep.

From there, it dumped us out at the intersection to Copperopolis and Bradshaw's grave. The road was extremely washed out and took vigilance riding the big bike. I failed a climb and we had to work as a team to get the KTM to the top. This route is right at the limits of what a big bike should do, especially with a moderately skilled rider.

The road conditions steadily improved as we neared Wickenburg and the DR650 went into fuel reserve. The KTM had gone over 22 miles on technical trails since the low fuel light started flashing. We coasted the KTM most of the way down to Wickenburg and rolled into town for a hearty breakfast and made it to the gas station with .25 gallons in the tank...

A challenging a rewarding adventure, and another 100+ mile segment of the traverse, and the most technical yet. This route will be a serious challenge for a stock truck, even with a good driver. Certainly Rubicon Jeep, FZJ80 and TRD Tacoma territory. A rider on a big bike should have quite a bit of riding experience and a few friends to help out.

Next, we will connect from Wickenburg to the Quartzite area and the Kofa. The big challenge to the south is the large indian reservations and proving grounds / gunnery ranges. Sitgreaves figured this out in 1851, and left a few clues we need to go check out!

 

[Scott Brady]

Was there much street time?

That is the best part. Zero pavement and just shy of 100 miles of dirt!

 

[ChuckB]

That looks like a lot of fun!

 

[Scott Brady]

We covered segment one in the Four Corners AZ Traverse thread HERE

Segment one took us from Prescott to Jerome, including the Smiley Rock trail, another 2.5+ section.

 

[scarysharkface]

Nice! Looks like it would be a lot of fun on a KLX250 or WR250.. :bike_rider:

John

 

[Scott Brady]

Your KLR would do ok with good tires and a light load.

I rode some of the route on the DR650. I was super impressed with that bike. We installed some fresh Maxxis tires right before the trip and it just tractored through everything.

 

[scarysharkface]

The KLR isn't the shortcoming so much as I am the shortcoming. Whatever I'd ride, I'd still have to pick it up. A lot. :bike_rider:

John

 

[Geronimo]

[/QUOTE]I am now researching the original Ehrenburg Road, which connected with the Bradshaw at the Colorado (now the small town of Ehrenburg along I10)[/QUOTE]

Scott, while I do not know the route by name I spent much of my misspent youth riding and 4wheeling this area. If I can help I will.

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

Some History I found.

It talks about several different routes.


~~~~~~

"This adventure is the earliest account of the Bradshaw Trail by one who had actually traveled its whole length. In August of 1862, the first large group of miners traveled the new route".


THE BRADSHAW TRAIL




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(I'm posting this here because Bradshaw has now been mentioned)

 

[Scenic WonderRunner]

More History.

It would be fun to try and locate the "springs" that the travellers actually used. And this could help guide ExPo dudes to the trails.


http://www.sci.sdsu.edu/salton/DosPalmasHistory.html

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