Easy trail Runs Around Phoenix?

To go to carefree you turn off of bloody basin maybe 5 miles from sheep's bridge. Just pull up maps drop a marker on sheep's bridge then go back on bloody basin until you see a turnoff south. There's a few turns you got to make but it's pretty fun because your able to open it up pretty well in a few spots. There are small stream/river crossings that actually have a small paved platform across it and about 2 months ago there was no more than 10 inches of water.

In response to what we call "hairy", from my limited experience there's a vast variety of obstacles just depends on where you are. Only thing I haven't seen a ton of would be anything close to "mudding". I've experienced some decent exposure and as you said lots of rocks. Still getting used to the Arizona pinstriping. Last vehicle was a Jetta so if something was scraping down the side of that I'd have some issues.

Right now what I really want to do is get up to Sedona again and do some light wheeling. But the number 1 is to checkout the cinders area north of flag.

 

You can get to Sheep's Bridge either via Cave Creek Rd. where it turns into a dirt road and keep taking it until you reach 269 OR you can take the Bloody Basin exit off 17 for the long, scenic route featuring a pretty hairy downhill section with no guard rail. Just go slow. It'll get your heart beating but it's fun. Air down a bit...it's pretty bumpy the whole way. You don't need to cross the river.

 

Yes I recall there being times when the water was too deep to attempt river crossing there so time of year certainly key.
I just don't recall the depth of water when we crossed between 2-3 feet deep??

 

If things pan out for me with work, I'll be down there with some plans to do some trail runs. Late March or Early May, be nice to meet some TW crew.
As long as you dont get bent if I bring my Jeep

 

Four Peaks and Sycamore Creek is re-opening again too

 

Do you have dates for when these are opening? I want to go do both of those at least once before I leave phoenix to go off to school.

 

Looks like it opens today but I’d call the local forest service office first to confirm before going

 

Wow, what a great run bulldog canyon was! I highly recommend this site!

Pick up a $6, 6 mo permit here which gives you the padlock code to enter from any of the gates. There’s 5 or 6 different entrances I think. Its hard to know which one is which, but the permit does provide GPS coordinate for each. I entered from Blue point, which is the northern, Bush highway access and ran it south towards Wolverine. Near wolverine it splits off East and can go wayyy out towards Canyon lake. I hear you can get into even more technical stuff like high shelves. I attempted a couple of the rocky wash options that required some technical line positioning, but did fine on stock height tire clearance and there was always the main road that went parallel to these.

 

oh, and I also ended up dispersed camped there for the night. Even had a little run in with a pack of coyotes while star gazing that was pretty neat/intimidating. We bluffed them back and had no issue.

 

When visiting about a month ago, I was surprised to hear coyotes so close to the city. My cousin lives around 7th Ave Deer Valley and I could hear them about every morning.
I guess it's not uncommon to see them in neighborhoods. Seems weird I don't remember them in city when I lived there.

 

So, I finally got around to writing up this fantastic tale!

The fun part about coyotes is, everyone has a story of their own! This one, was unlike anything I'd ever read or heard about. I can't even find information to back up what happened to us online!!

BULLDOG CANYON UPDATE


Since February I've been dealing with a certain narrative dilemma. A very bizarre occurrence had happened while out wheeling in the Superstition Mountains, namely the famous Bulldog Canyon.

It was a terrific runup to the 4-wheeling conducted in Sedona, but during the night, while on an unexpected and impromptu camping stay, I was surrounded by a pack of animals that had me pinned down into a very inescapable spot. The moment came as a complete shock and it was hard to separate fact from fiction, if not thinking I made up the entire event. Finally, I was able to sort through all the recollected details and put to writing this once in a lifetime experience.

I really suggest you all take a look at this story, as its unlike anything I've ever heard before.
Click to Read: THE MANDOG COYOTE STORY

 

Fantastic read! Here's to many more adventures for you and Bella

 

Nice of you to say that, thank you! I really want to get back into the area now that I learned so much about its history!!

What a cool read this was... Click for article on Bulldog Goldmine

 

@mandog , I've spent enough nights out in the desert I was practically right there with you on that adventure. Well written my friend. I kept thinking ok, come on get to the scary part...it was worth the wait, I loved it.
Amazing how bright the stars are out in the desert. I forget what meteor shower that frequents us, but a good friend from high school days took me out to a very cool Indian Ruins atop a good climb, and had huge cliff drop off on the sides once up there.
Surely many many places to explore in AZ