JeepAndrew's AZ Trail Runs/Campouts

Roosevelt lake is a good lake for jet skis.the back side is nice it's away from the average people

 

So I'm new to this thread, but turkey creek is out near me in Benson. I'm down the weekend of the 24th of OCT. I'm just a little 2WD, so hopefully there's a few other 2WDs that wanna roll together.

 

I like Apache more for jet skiis, but if you hate drunken frat boys I don't recommend it lol

 

There is a back way in that's super easy. We usually have a group that goes in that way

 

Super easy is what I like to hear. I'll get to camp faster and make sure the beer stays cold.

 

I miss this dude! @snowtank

 

Are we talking about the same Turkey Creek? The canyon we're talking about camping in (also named Turkey Creek) is 50 miles north of Wilcox.

 

Yeah, I'm like 40 mins from Wilcox. When I said I was close, I meant I drive by Wilcox everyday and I've been out in the turkey creek area.

 

It's an awesome place to camp, one of the best areas in AZ in my opinion!

 

Yeah I've heard good things. I'm game when ever we figure out a weekend. I need to get out with yall soon.

 

Turkey Creek and Aravaipa Canyon are both very much like Oak Creek Canyon near Sedona, sandstone cliff and sheer canyon walls, massive Oak and Cottonwood trees, and running water all over the place.

 

Boner alert

 

Right?! Love that place!

 

OP has been updated and for the new comers that want to run Rug Road...

For anyone new to this run, attendees have two options; the 4X4 route (rated from 3.5-4/5, depending on summer rains and trail damage from storm runoff) or 2WD/prerunner friendly backway route to Turkey Creek campsite from either Thatcher (east of Globe) or Willcox (both are graded dirt road most of the way once you leave pavement).

Tucson 4X4 group will meet at the Valero Gas Station in Catalina, and will make a final stop at the Circle K in Mammoth to meet any other members before hitting the trailhead.

A little info on 4X4 trail:

***4WD attendees are recommended to have AT MINIMUM 2" lift and rock sliders. Skids/bumpers are optional with spotting/good offroad driving skills. There is a good possibility of pinstriping***

Formerly a mining/ranching access trail, the infamous 23 mile Rug Road snakes across the northern part of the rugged Galiuro Mts between Mammoth and the small town of Klondyke.

Beginning with the uphill climb from Mammoth on somewhat maintained Copper Creek Road, Rug Road dives off to the left around the 10 mile mark and begins its northeastern winding path across the remote Galiuro Mountains.

After several miles of easy dry creek and canyon driving, you come to the first obstacle; the Tire Chute. Named for the junk tires half exposed in the left side embankment, the road runs up through this narrow rock-strewn sluice and climbs up and out over a steep rocky wall. Depending on summer rainfall, a spotter may be required here!

After the Tire Chute, the road climbs out of the canyon toward the saddle on Boulder Mountain. As you crest the hill and turn west, the most difficult section on the whole trail comes into view; Carpet Hill. Off-camber towards a 500 foot cliff, strewn with loose rocks ranging up to basketball size, and heavily eroded, this shelf trail section descends across the side of Boulder Mt and into Dry Camp Canyon. Several very tight switchbacks at the "Z Turn" and an elevation drop of over 700 feet in just 3/4 of a mile make this section one of the steepest around and not for the faint of heart. Near the bottom, the trail passes through a wash section scattered with beachball-sized boulders, steps, and loose chunks of rock. **A spotter is almost always required here**

After ascending Table Mountain from Dry Camp Canyon, awesome views are awarded from the often windy vista at Table Mountain Pass. This is close to the halfway point and a great place to stop for lunch! Afterwards, the trail turns east, wandering past the abandoned Table Mountain Mine and smelter, as well as the now empty ranch cabins and stables at Parson's Grove and Bleak Spring. Many other small obstacles; rock steps, steep rocky/bouldery hill climbs, and diagonal washouts across the trail, keep things interesting as you travel further east.

As you approach the east end of the trail, rocky steps, numerous obstacles and Moab-style scenery abound as the trail drops into Turkey Creek, passing several knock-out campsites (this is where we will camp), and ultimately meeting up with the 2wd route in Aravaipa Canyon, where huge cottonwood and oak trees and sandstone canyon walls tower high above and provide miles of all-day shade, and water flows nearly year-round.

Travellers of the 2wd route have two options: one route comes in from US 70, east of Globe, and just west of Thatcher. The Phoenix group usually comes in this way.

The second route comes north from I-10 in Wilcox via Ft Grant/Bonita-Klondyke Rd. The Rex Allen Rd exit on I-10, with a left turn over the Interstate, will lead you to this route. It's 45+ miles from Wilcox to Turkey Creek, and Wilcox is your LAST CHANCE FOR GAS! Make sure and top off!

 

What are the planed dates for this if that has been decided. I'd like to join but not sure if work and school schedule will be a hindrance.

 

Tuykey Creek is darn nice. But that "Rug Road 4x4 Route" is amazing and will let you use the 4x4 capabilities a good bit. I may be up for this again. I have one more rug road left in the current tires. We ran this trip back in (was it?) March this year. Dura-Tracs grip amazing for rock crawling, but they got shredded pretty good on that trip. Rear Locker was new just before that trip and I was well satisfied with it and the tacoma in whole. Jeep Andrew was our faithful Leader on that trip.

 

Still working on that!

 

I am new to this world and can't wait to start really getting out on the trails. I have an 04 TRD 4x4 on 31s with a leveling kit. I am won't have sliders until December so don't think I will make this one. Are there any others coming up. I live in Prescott.

 

I'm game for middle of October. I have a turkey hunt the first weekend and deer hunt on the 23.