HikeArizona.COM

I enjoy the talk about high powered SUV’s, with winches, tires the size of New Mexico, 16 shocks absorbers, and fire breathing V8’s. But I guess what I’m really interested in is something more sedate, but nonetheless adventurous. My Jeep Grand Cherokee is our weekend car, our weekday car, and our “Sunday go to Meeting” vehicle all in one. I’d like to utilize it’s potential for off roading, but I’m not interested in any modifications other than more aggressive tires, and maybe a HAZ sticker in the rear window. I just not into spending my life fixing what I broke the weekend before.

That being said, I’d like to loosely get a group together of folks who have the same basic interests in off roading and discovering new places that a SUV, or any vehicle with a high clearance can take them. Combine this with a love of hiking and adventure and I think we might have some fun. I’ve explored 4 Peaks from the Beeline to Roosevelt Lake, the Mazatzals including Mount Peeley and Mount Ord, and most of the Mogollon Rim from Strawberry to Woods Canyon Lake. We always combine our drives with hiking, sometimes short sometimes quite long. Our children are adults now, but we would welcome families, singles, whatever. Nothing organized any further than an idea for an outing mention on this website.

We’ve had a bunch of fun on the Forest Roads of Arizona with our factory stock Blazer and now the Jeep. We just think it might be more fun with a small group to go with

Does something like this sound interesting to anyone else?

I'm with you.

I'll go.....but head north out of that desert heat.....we can head south for the winter.....I know quite a few places up near Prescott and around the Williams area, to explore....

I would love to go some places in the Prescott area.

The Dandrea Ranch area is real nice, it's between Prescott and Crown King, one of those places where you just pick a road and go, there are so many of them.

Even though I like some of the more aggressive stuff, I still enjoy a nice easy-going trip. We've also got a 98 wrangler, unmodified with 31 inch tires. We love to take it out but its not a beater, so what your talking about would be ideal. I've never done any offroading in the prescott area so if something comes together up there I'd definatley like to tag along.

That's whats nice about that area up there, we can pretty much pick and choose the type of road, they're not difficult to tell apart, the radical ones are a LOT less traveled......there could be some minor washouts here and there. I guess it depends on whether we decide to try for a long haul or just explore everything within reach. I have been down a lot of them but there are so many little feeder roads and trails that could offer something also.

A group of nine of us did a great trip two weekends ago. We went up through Jerome through Perkinsville to Sycamore Canyon to hike to some ruins I had been to before.
http://www.arizonahikers.com/board/modu ... php&page=1

We had a great time and I'd be up for many more.

GTG

In response to Snick33's post:

I'm in (with a stock 4WD Grand Cherokee).
Bill

This is great! Not having much experience organizing anything like this, how about some suggestions:

1. Just a starting point and a starting time and then wing it?

2. Someone to act as sort of a cruisemaster who may or may not have any experience in the area but have at least done some chairside exploring of the area?

3. Either of the above but with a restaurant or event as a destination?

4. Or how about starting with some dispersed camping on the rim or in Prescott, followed by some day hiking with a picnic as a finale?

There are so many places I've yet to see but don't no exactly how to get there, or if my stock Grand Cherokee will make it or not . . . .

GTG wrote:A group of nine of us did a great trip two weekends ago. We went up through Jerome through Perkinsville to Sycamore Canyon to hike to some ruins I had been to before.
GTG

How did you guys go about this trip, did someone lead and or organize?

How did you guys go about this trip, did someone lead and or organize?

Per usual I sent out emails and got everyone on the same page. I have the Backcountry Adventures book that I had used to drive in there before, so I took the reins and we all had a blast.

GTG

Depending on when, I'd be down.

That Jerome to perkinsville trip can be a good one.....it is a nice mellow trip thru the back country and there is swimming to be done in the verde river at the perkins ranch crossing. If you continue a little farther up there is a 5 mile long side road that leads to Bear Siding on the Verde river and another good swimming hole....then from there you could head north towards Williams/Whitehorse lake area, and I know of a short side trip which leads to the head of sycamore canyon right at Sycamore Falls.....that is a beautiful ride, although a little dusty, no I take that back....VERY dusty! Maybe we could make a weekend out of it and camp in the high country near Sycamore falls? I have camped and hiked extensively in that area for years. Take the back road from Jerome to perkins ranch...swim....head for sycamore falls.....camp.....then work our way out sunday?...If we do that.....bring your fishing poles if you like that sort of thing, Whitehorse usually has some rainbow trout....
Jerome is nice but parking can be extremely limited on weekends. Depending on the amount of vehicles we have we could always park at the N.E end of Jerome and Have some lunch......I think on a trip like this it would be best to pack our coolers full of food and just munch out at a spot on the way....

Snick33 wrote:This is great! Not having much experience organizing anything like this, how about some suggestions:

1. Just a starting point and a starting time and then wing it?

2. Someone to act as sort of a cruisemaster who may or may not have any experience in the area but have at least done some chairside exploring of the area?

3. Either of the above but with a restaurant or event as a destination?

4. Or how about starting with some dispersed camping on the rim or in Prescott, followed by some day hiking with a picnic as a finale?

There are so many places I've yet to see but don't no exactly how to get there, or if my stock Grand Cherokee will make it or not . . . .

Don't worry about your GC Snick33. With a little technique they are extremely capable stock vehicles. They are Jeeps! ;)

From past experience I would recommend having the meeting time, departure time, destination and estimated trip length set up beforehand. Someone should have already been on the trip so they can tell potential participants what to expect or if the trip "maybe too much for someone with a blah-blah-blah" vehicle. Since we all like to socialize be aware that the larger the group the longer the trip will take.

With the trip pre-planned everyone can decide if they want to be gone "that long", we won't waste time trying to get everyone to agree on a destination in the parking lot, etc...

We always meet at a McDonald's 30 to 60 minutes before the departure time so that people can get something to eat, etc. before we start. We usually say something like,"Meet at McDonald's at 8:00AM and we leave at 9:00AM sharp." This gives everyone a chance to meet each other before we hit the road and sets expectations so people aren't showing up at 9:00AM.

Once we're off-road put the novices in middle of the pack and the most-experienced in the lead and sweep positions.

Just like hiking with a group of people you don't know, it's best to set expectations beforehand.


Bill

......I think on a trip like this it would be best to pack our coolers full of food and just munch out at a spot on the way....

The river crossing at Perkinsville is a great place for a picnic as you can see in Hooli's photos.

GTG

The area around Bucks Springs Cabin (Coconino Nat. Forest) would also make a good trip. Most folks drive along the rim, I suggest drive away from the rim. Picnic, eat wild rasberry's and hike to the other cabins (Pinchot, Gen. Springs) as a map and compass skill. Stalk elk ,turkey for pictures.

Yep....that will work best.........I guess the next thing is to pick a destination....or area....length of time etc.

That's another good trip.....Road 300 along the rim....beautiful views but sure takes a long time....

Yeah, but that 300 might as well be paved, its hardly an SUV only trip, I know were shooting for sedate but 300 is practically comatose.