After 1,753 miles and a variety of backcountry adventures we arrived back at Four Wheeler headquarters. All of our Black & Decker and Coleman supplies worked great, and our H3 was ready for another trip.
2:45 a.m., KOA Campground, Needles: It's our last night on the road and it's a beautiful winter night in the desert. The temperature is in the low 50's and Brubaker has the rainfly removed from his Coleman Evanston tent so he can see the moon. He's sleeping in his Coleman Diamondback summer sleeping bag and he's hot. Holman has his Sundome tent all buttoned up and is sleeping in his Coleman Big Game -5 F. winter sleeping bag with his ProCat PerfectTemp Catalytic Heater on high.
7:45 a.m. KOA Campground, Needles: It could be our imagination, but it seemed like a bunch of campers wanted to dismember us this morning.
9:40 a.m., Highway 40 crossing the Mojave Desert: We pass more roads leading off into the desert but we have to quell our urge to explore as we make a beeline to the office.
12:20 p.m., Primedia headquarters, Los Angeles: As we ride the elevators to our floor, Holman witnesses a prissy L.A. chick and her cronies make fun of Brubaker's camo pants behind his back. Nonetheless, Holman and Brubaker have pity on the poor girl. Obviously this city girl has never 'wheeled deep into the backcountry, cooked over an open fire, or slept under the stars. If she had, she would respect what camo represents and she'd understand the Trails & Tents Tour.
Our goal was to 'wheel obscure trails, and thanks to Arizona's thousands of miles of forest roads, it was an easy goal to achieve. These trails harbored a surprise around every bend and they were measured not in extreme obstacles conquered, but miles explored. The trails we traveled were perfect for a family adventure when you want to explore desolate backcountry and still have your rig carry you home under its own power.
Days on the road: 5
Miles traveled: 1,753
Tires destroyed: 1
Javelinas encountered: 1
Days we wished we were in the office: 0
All total we explored three distinct trails during our trip to Arizona. Here they are:
Rattlesnake Road-Head east out of Phoenix on Highway 60. Continue east on Highway 70 past Globe to Klondyke Road. Head south for approximately 26.9 miles. Trail begins at N 32 48.041 W 110 17.363.
Rating: First 8.3 miles 1, last 2.5 miles 3.5 on a scale of 1-5.
Schnebly Hill Road (FR 153)-This trail can be accessed via Highway 17 at exit 320 or in Sedona via Highway 179 (look for FR 153 signs). Rating: 1
FR 191/FR 736-Head north from Flagstaff on Highway 180. A few miles north of Kendrick Park and FR 191C turn left on FR 191. In approximately less than 5 miles FR 191 will merge with FR 736. Rating: 1 (higher if snowy or wet)
Yup, the boys did daily blogs. You can log on to http://blogs.fourwheeler.com/page3.html and read about the Trails & Tents Tour as it happened. There are also more photos from the trip.