Tucson AZ, Mt Lemmon and a dirt road to Phoenix

[SOAZ]

Went down to Tucson for the Labor day weekend and got to meet a couple of Expo folks that showed me a great breakfast place. Thanks Kermit and Jeff!
Kermit, my girlfriend and I headed up the back way to Mt. Lemmon.
All the shots are on www.soaztim.com, but here are some good ones!!

 

[SOAZ]

 

[SOAZ]

I had to find a more interesting way back to Phoenix so I tried to make it as far as possible on dirt. Willow springs road is VERY smooth and we made good time all the way to the Coke Ovens.

No way I was crossing the river at that height so we turned around, POSED on some rocks and headed back through Florence.

 

[Desertoutpost]

Cool I went to your link very neat stuff...

 

[Tucson T4R]

Nice pics, I think I have been on most of that route. Was that overgrown area up near the Gila river? I ripped off my passenger mirror on a road that looked like that along the south bank of the Gila on my first offroad run with my new 4Runner back in 2004 (break in).

 

[SOAZ]

Cool I went to your link very neat stuff...

Thanks!

"Nice pics, I think I have been on most of that route. Was that overgrown area up near the Gila river? I ripped off my passenger mirror on a road that looked like that along the south bank of the Gila on my first offroad run with my new 4Runner back in 2004 (break in)."
Thats the area. OUCH! I was creeping along waiting for the same things to happen. Mirrors tucked in. I was just hoping there wouldn't be any mud because I did NOT want to get stuck down there!

 

[Tucson T4R]

Thanks!

"Nice pics, I think I have been on most of that route. Was that overgrown area up near the Gila river? I ripped off my passenger mirror on a road that looked like that along the south bank of the Gila on my first offroad run with my new 4Runner back in 2004 (break in)."
Thats the area. OUCH! I was creeping along waiting for the same things to happen. Mirrors tucked in. I was just hoping there wouldn't be any mud because I did NOT want to get stuck down there!

Me too, I was by myself and the road had long sections of slimey mud..trying to avoid a 2" cut off tree branch stub I tried to stay left. The slimey mud caused me to slide right, directly into the cut off branch....result - passenger mirror hanging by wires. :yikes:

At that point, I high tailed it outa there and climbed back up into the dry desert. :jumping:

 

[TrAiLbUs1]

Awesome pics i love Mt lemmon there is nothing like it, a true sky island!!! thanks for posting, those pics in the thicket are really cool that has to be outside of phoenix right?

 

[SOAZ]

Awesome pics i love Mt lemmon there is nothing like it, a true sky island!!! thanks for posting, those pics in the thicket are really cool that has to be outside of phoenix right?

Yep, the tunnel was right down by the river near the Coke Ovens outside of Florence Junction.
If you try to get to the water on EITHER side of the river you pass through these cool tunnels. Just make sure to take any antennas off first!

 

[SOAZ]

Me too, I was by myself and the road had long sections of slimey mud..trying to avoid a 2" cut off tree branch stub I tried to stay left. The slimey mud caused me to slide right, directly into the cut off branch....result - passenger mirror hanging by wires. :yikes:

At that point, I high tailed it outa there and climbed back up into the dry desert. :jumping:

You must have cried. Brand new 4runner!
I ran away because there were some creepy folks down there hanging around and drinking beer.

 

[Westy]

Nice trip Tim. Good to see Mt. Lemmon so green. I havent been up there in awhile. That fire was bad.

Are you going to make it out with us tomorrow at Trail 404?

 

[SOAZ]

I'll be the sleepy one, but I'll be there!

 

[Clutch]

Your welcome Tim, Sorry I couldn't do Chiva, I had a bunch of crap to do that day.

I like the picture of me **********************, barely can see my truck. I was thinking of selling the Tacoma, that little short trip reminded why I like it so much. I have to break down and buy some OME's rear springs to get rid of the sagging Deavers. I have been on the route you taken to back to Phoenix, right before Willow Springs Ranch is where they hold the 24hr, mountain bike race.

 

[SOAZ]

No worries, I've done chiva lots. I am still waiting for the time when the damn water fall is working. The pump must have been broken.

Oh Yah. The 24hrs in the old pueblo. I want to do that. With a team of course so I don't have to ride more than a few hours individually. I rode the course once and it was fun and full of cactus.
Its too far to be practical, but in case you can handle some down time on the tacoma Deaver is always willing to re-work some springs. They'll add in a load leaf or give them a bigger arc. Even add some leaves to make it more able to carry some weight.
Kinda hard when you're this far away though. It was much easier when I used to be down the street... :Mechanic:

Your welcome Tim, Sorry I couldn't do Chiva, I had a bunch of crap to do that day.

I like the picture of me **********************, barely can see my truck. I was thinking of selling the Tacoma, that little short trip reminded why I like it so much. I have to break down and buy some OME's rear springs to get rid of the sagging Deavers. I have been on the route you taken to back to Phoenix, right before Willow Springs Ranch is where they hold the 24hr, mountain bike race.