DESTINATION Millsite Canyon Trail #237 1 Photoset
2012-11-30 | |
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| 4x4 Trip | 24.50 Miles |
2,875 AEG |
| | 4x4 Trip | 24.50 Miles | 4 Hrs 31 Mns | | 6.50 mph |
| 2,875 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I was among a group of 5 Jeeps out for their twice-a-week run. Today we began at the golf course in Queen Valley, headed north until just before Elephant Butte where we turned onto Hardt Tank Road, which became Forest Road 1938 when we crossed into Tonto National Forest.
We took our first 10-minute break at the top of the ridge. While taking our break a separate group of 6 Jeeps pulled up, 2 Wranglers, 3 Cherokees and a Grand Cherokee. All appeared close to stock form except for the Grand Cherokee which had maybe a 3" lift. Although they could all handle this section of the road, when they heard we were going through Millsite Canyon they knew better than to attempt it [-X so they turned of onto FR1900 and took it back to FR172.
But our intrepid group continued on into Millsite Canyon. As I found out, this route is definitely not for the faint at heart,  or anyone worried about severe AZ pinstripes and very possibly body damage. ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
I kept as close to the Jeeps ahead of me so I could watch their lines and adjust mine accordingly to accommodate my extra length. (All the others had TJ's, I was the only Cherokee) Thankfully with extreme care in the worst spots I made it through with only one rear diff scrape and no body damage... not counting the super-sized dose of AZ pinstripes.
There was one narrow section along a steep wall where last year one of the TJ's slid off and the only reason it didn't roll was because the driver yanked the wheel hard downhill.  He went some distance down but at least stayed wheel-side-down. It took plenty of winching to get him out but that they did.
And so, with that still fresh in mind I was following immediately behind the same guy when we passed that area. He was being very careful, almost to the extent of being too far up the slope on the driver side so he was tipping well over to the passenger side. Being a bit higher off the ground and a taller vehicle I didn't feel comfortable doing the same, so I had my right side tires rolling within inches of the edge.  Thankfully the sketchy area was less than a hundred yards long.
As we came out the north end of Millsite Canyon we drove to the top of a hill overlooking the Superstition Wilderness, where we stopped for a picnic lunch. We were treated to 360 degrees of beautiful mountain scenery.
I had a mid-afternoon appointment so immediately after lunch I headed out FR172 while the rest were going to find a few more challenges on the way out.
I'm posting the photos here on HAZ as well as my web-site. I cut the 2+ hours of video down to two. Even if you aren't into four-wheeling, they provide some beautiful scenery:
5-minute video of the descent down Forest Road 1938 from Hardt Tank Road:
changephoenix com/jpserver/web/public/file.php?id=299
11-minute video composite along the route through Millsite Canyon:
changephoenix com/jpserver/web/public/file.php?id=299 |
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