McVickers Family Adventure Team Memorial Day Weekend AZ Backcountry Adventure!

[Brian McVickers]

I looked, but all of the short thread titles were already taken!

After hearing about Tim's, SOAZ, trip from Phoenix to Prescott on dirt roads I realized that I have heard of the Senator Highway several times but I had never explored it. So we spent Saturday night through Monday exploring 75 miles of dirt roads through the Prescott National Forest.

After some quick yard work and the kids' afternoon nap we hit the road at 5pm on Saturday from Phoenix bound for Crown King, AZ. We arrived in the small mountain town around 7pm and enjoyed a burger for dinner at the saloon, complete with scoops of ice cream for Charlie and Max. The ice cream was mandatory as we had promised them "super special mountain ice cream" to get them out the door in a timely fashion.

After dinner it was dark and we were still on the search for camp. We drove south and west on the Senator Highway to its intersection with FR362 which goes south. We stayed on the Senator and headed north until we found a suitable camp about halfway to the ghost town of Goodwin.

After throwing rocks in the nearby creek we headed towards Palace Station where we jumped off of the Senator Highway and took FR82 towards the Bodie Mine. I don't think we visited the Bodie Mine, but I'm not sure what the name of the mine we visited is. We took FR82 for several miles through a transition from pine forest into high desert and kept left onto "Trail End Mine Raod" which was far from maintained or well traveled, we could only see one set of tire tracks.

 

[Brian McVickers]

After exploring the mine area we headed back towards Palace Station. An interesting reality of exploring with kids is finding ways to keep them engaged and interested. When asked where we were headed after the mine we said Palace Station.
? - "A Palace, What's a Palace?"
A - "Um, It's where the princess lives"
? - "Can I take a flower and give it to the princess at the Palace?"
A - "Sure" - oh boy!

We arrive at the intersection and continued on the Senator Highway, past the Palace Station, and on to our next intended camp near Mount Union. But wait, about a half mile past the Palace we heard quiet tears from the back seat --- "I didn't get to give the princess her flowers"
So after turning around and going back, the princess now has flowers waiting for her at Palace Station!

 

[Brian McVickers]

Our next goal was to visit the fire tower at the top of Mount Union, the highest mountain in the Bradshaw Mountains.

Poland Road, FR261, will take you within a mile of the top at which point we continued on foot. This was perhaps the slowest one mile hike, 380 ft gain, that I have ever done! We had expected to carry Charlie and Max at least halfway but they hiked the entire way, up and back, on their own. One seven inch stride at a time!

At the top were some breathtaking views and lots of ladybugs.

On the hike back down we saw a HorneyToad

 

[Brian McVickers]

Not far from the hiking trail we found a track that led away from Poland Road to what we believe to be an intended mountain home site. It was just on the edge of the mountain slope and provided a view of a large valley. Perfectly flat, secluded and quiet, it was camp for our last night on the trail.

Brian

 

[jcbrandon]

Brian-

Well done, especially on the event name. Seeing the McVickers family smile-fest made my evening.

 

[Pskhaat]

Sounds like a great time! How did that pre-filter work out?

 

[RgrBox]

Excellent trip. I also have young children, although now a bit older then yours, but we've always involved them in everything. I can also remember those beginning hikes and the long time it took to get somewhere.. but it's helped me to have patience, and enjoy more the time out with them. I was so proud with my kids were able to walk some where without aid from mom, and dad..

My crowd was also camping last week. But only got to get a one nighter in due to work. But those days are coming to an end. This summer we're heading off for two weeks to Southern Germany, and the Salzburg region of Austria.

Were you able to sleep all four of you in your roof tent?

I've heard that there are mountain lions in that area. You ever get worried of this, and what did you do security wise.

One of my biggest problems with wild camping, which I usually only do, is security. Over here not much with animals, but people. I've never had a problem, but one can never tell.

Again thanks for letting us into your family.. great family.. and happy kids..

RB

 

[Trail Monkey]

Nice write up Brian, great photos..

 

[Capt Eddie]

It looks like they brought the four legged security system. I bet its works as well on mountain lions as well as it does people. Nice addition.

 

[RedDog]

Marvelous! Thanks. I especially took note of the bulldozer. Growing up we spent a lot of time at our lake cottage and another kid from the city and I found an abandoned bulldozer back in the woods one time. That thing was countless hours of fun - a command post to fire our pellet guns from; taking the controls and moving the leavers around; standing on the hood for great views of the valley below. That thing was better than any tree house.

 

[Brian McVickers]

Brian-

Well done, especially on the event name. Seeing the McVickers family smile-fest made my evening.

Thanks J,
We're even looking at putting a "McVickers Family Adventure Team" decal on the truck. :rally_guys:

 

[Brian McVickers]

Sounds like a great time! How did that pre-filter work out?

Scott, that pre-filter is HUGE! however it is catching lots of dust and bugs.
I think the smaller version would be more appropriately proportional to the vehicle so I'm not 100% on this one yet. Amy laughed and rolled her eyes when she first saw it :sombrero:

 

[Brian McVickers]

Thanks,
Your upcoming trip sounds wonderful, places I would love to explore!

Were you able to sleep all four of you in your roof tent? RB

Surprisingly, all four of us can fit into that Maggiolina Airland - Size Small!
It is not exactly a place to spread out for maximum comfort but it's not bad either. The Large size would be perfect.
The trick we found is to have the kids sleep toe to toe with Amy and I on either side with our heads on opposite ends. The other trick is to go up into the tent in stages, all of us awake in the tent at once gets the kids all excited and crazy and the space is definitely too small for craziness. Oliver, our dog, sleeps in the back of the truck.

I've heard that there are mountain lions in that area. You ever get worried of this, and what did you do security wise.RB

Sure, big cats, scorpions, spiders and snakes are always on my mind as potential threats. I'm not an expert on any of them which probably makes me even more wary. In selecting a camp spot I always get out and check the area before we settle in and we have to constantly remind the kids not to go poking in holes or turn over rocks....everyone, including our dog, does a pretty good job at staying close together.

Regarding personal safety from other people, it is certainly a concern especially when we are traveling alone in one vehicle in remote areas. When making camp we usually try to back in, placing the vehicle pointed towards the main exit and with access to any secondary exit points.

Brian

 

[datrupr]

Great pics and report, Brian. Man, the kids are getting big. I love that area and will someday soon explore more of it. There are so many great things to find in the Bradshaws.

 

[Hltoppr]

Nice sir! I still can't believe you guys all fit in that tent. Love the ladybug pic...my daughter will love to see that one!

-H-