Planning a Visit to AZ

[2LuknF8]

Going to be trailering a couple of XJs out to the Sedona area arriving around May 7th or 8th and leaving around the 16th. We are members of the Gator4x4(.com) club out of Gainesville, FL. If anybody is interested in riding along, that would be great. Sedona will be our base but a side trip to Moab is in the discussion, too. Another option is to spend a day in the Tucson area or a trip to the FLorence Junction area.

I have been reading the 4 wheeling trail guide for AZ and can't wait to try some of the trails.

As for rigs, mine is moderately modified: 87 XJ, 31's, 3.5 RE lift, warn winch, bumpers with rock rails and lockers front and rear on the to do list. The other rig is owned by Gator4x4's prior prez and is undergoing some (more) extreme mods: 90 XJ, locked front and rear, lifted (I think 6.5"), custom bumpers, winch, online air and welder, rock rails, and is currently being cut, axles swapped out, and 36 or 37's on the offing.

My goal is to leave my XJ out there in running condition but we all know about goals..

Anybody interested or have suggestions as to what trails we should consider?

Thanks in advance.

[AZRockRunner]

Man, that sure sounds like alot of fun.
We have been throwing around the idea of a sedone run already so maybe we can make a weekend out of it.

As far as Tucson trails, we have some nice ones, come on down.

:thumbup:

[rockwerks]

Im in Flagstaff and many of the top trails around are at or near Table Mesa area, about 80 miles closer than FJ. there is also some good fun around Payson and of course smasher canyon in Cottonwood

[FLAGXJ]

Sounds like fun. . . I haven't wheeled in the Table Mesa area yet. It's a little closer to "our neck of the woods." Maybe we would get home at 3 am instead of 5 am! :)

[azdesertrhino]

Sounds like fun. . . I haven't wheeled in the Table Mesa area yet. It's a little closer to "our neck of the woods." Maybe we would get home at 3 am instead of 5 am! :)

It was awesome having y'all with us on the run. I'd love to get a group to run up there in the spring (read: when it's above +10*F) and do a camp-out run or something. Flag or Sedona would be awesome.

The view of the sky last night when we were airing up was a killer! I bet it's even better in some of the northern parts of the state. If y'all are interested we can start some preliminary "check the waters" stuff!

Y'all know all the details up in your neck of the woods, let's start thinking about it!!

[rockwerks]

It was awesome having y'all with us on the run. I'd love to get a group to run up there in the spring (read: when it's above +10*F) and do a camp-out run or something. Flag or Sedona would be awesome.

The view of the sky last night when we were airing up was a killer! I bet it's even better in some of the northern parts of the state. If y'all are interested we can start some preliminary "check the waters" stuff!

Y'all know all the details up in your neck of the woods, let's start thinking about it!!

details? Im not sure what or if there is anything much up here..... I consider Table Mesa local trails

I am working on a play area just east of us here in Flag, we will see what develops over the next month or so

[FLAGXJ]

There are a few decent runs in Sedona. . . Broken Arrow and Greasy Spoon. We also did a trail on Mingus Mtn. a few years back that was alright. I think it was called Smiley Rock. As for Flagstaff. . . not much besides the cinders and cruisin' in the forest.

[Fergie]

Smiley is okay.

Homestead is awesome in the summer.

Payson would be good.

[FLAGXJ]

Smiley is okay.

Homestead is awesome in the summer.

Payson would be good.

Where is Homestead? Is it around Flag?

I grew up in Payson and 'wheeled a lot but never discovered the cool stuff I see on the web now.

[Fergie]

Homestead is south of Sedona.

There is a Creek crossing, and a rope swing to play around on.

Pretty fun, and not covered with Pinkies.

[FLAGXJ]

Could that be the same trail as "cliffhanger?" sounds similar.

[Fergie]

Could that be the same trail as "cliffhanger?" sounds similar.
I think it is.

[XJSROCK]

Anybody interested or have suggestions as to what trails we should consider?

From where you'll be I only have six words. Table Mesa, Table Mesa,
Table Mesa.

[rsliman]

cant forget the backway to crown king... awesome trail about 50 miles long and 6000 ft elevation change. takes about 4 hours to do as long as noone breaks down. its in the charles wells book

[2LuknF8]

From where you'll be I only have six words. Table Mesa, Table Mesa,
Table Mesa.

Can you give me a reference for table mesa?

[AzFlexJ]

i THINK CROWN KING WOULD BE A GOOD RUN...WENT THERE A COUPLE OF TIMES WITH A BUDDY OF MINE FROM PHOENIX.

[Wounded XJ]

Could that be the same trail as "cliffhanger?" sounds similar.

Cliffhanger is not what it used to be. The USFS changed the trail and you only need to have 4 wheel drive for 1/8 of a mile. They made a new graded bypass and shut off most of the fun stuff.

[XJ20]

I think sandy has pointed you in the right direction. All those other places are pretty mild wheeling for trailer queens.http://www.dakotacom.net/~jeepster/tipshades.gif

From where you'll be I only have six words. Table Mesa, Table Mesa,
Table Mesa.

[Jump This]

Where is Table Mesa?
Any GPS #s?
Rick

[rockwerks]

Hey RIck

Table Mesa is just north of Phoenix off of I17, The name of the exit is Table Mesa Road.

many quality trails in the Table Mesa area exit 236 about 20 north of the carefree highway

[Jump This]

Hey RIck

Table Mesa is just north of Phoenix off of I17, The name of the exit is Table Mesa Road.

many quality trails in the Table Mesa area exit 236 about 20 north of the carefree highway

Thanks,
I am addicted to Google Earth and realy enjoy checking out off road areas prior to visiting. Heck I like checking out the entire world now!
Rick

[2LuknF8]

Thanks,
I am addicted to Google Earth and realy enjoy checking out off road areas prior to visiting. Heck I like checking out the entire world now!
Rick

ditto- thanks and, yes, the area looks like it has some interesting areas. Sure would be great to ride along with some others that know the area. That google earth sure does help...

[rockwerks]

ditto- thanks and, yes, the area looks like it has some interesting areas. Sure would be great to ride along with some others that know the area. That google earth sure does help...

all the trails are on the west side of the highway

[2LuknF8]

After a few delays and workus interruptus, we are set to leave out of Gville May 25th for a two week run out to AZ and back. Nothing has been really trail tested yet and for my buddy, that may prove to be an adventure.

I might need to find a place to park a 30 foot flatbed trailer so if anybody out in the Sedona/Cottonwood area can offer a spot, the assist would be appreciated. A dinner at Murphy's would be in the offing...Cottonwood or Prescott.

How are the forest conditions out there now? With the drought, I fear trail closings like the last time I was out that way. Now that would really suck, drive 2100 miles only to find the forests closed.:looser:

We have been really looking forward to this trip and hope that we can go riding with others that know the area.

[Wounded XJ]

Right now we are in high alert in the Verde Valley which makes up Cottonwood, Camp Verde, and Sedona. They do not start shutting things down until extreme, which is after very high. I do not see them shutting down for at least a month. We have gotten a little moisture in the mountains areas over the past few days which will slow that down as well. I live in Rimrock (15 min from Cottonwood, 30 min from Sedona) and have room to park your trailer if you need it.

[x*BIGASSALEX*j]

I just goy back from that area, You know coming down the I-17 and did a lil scouting, its awesome.....But no major closures, I think I seen the fire meter at mild, so you can still have a camp fire.....C'mon down, hopefully I have my electrical harness by then and I can meet you up there, dont feel like taking my 4x4 Ram or the stock Liberty, still making payments on them.....Let us know...

[AZXJ]

It's just south of Black Canyon city and just north of Anthem.

[Wounded XJ]

If you have not heard the Red Rock Ranger District as well as the Flagstaff area has gone into stage 1 fire restrictions. No smoking, unless is it in your car, and no fire in undeveloped spaces.

[2LuknF8]

Thanks for the heads up. We are currently in NM heading towards Sedona and should arrive before you read this (unless you are cruisng the forum at 1 in the morning...).
I suspect none of us will want to go riding immediately since we have been crammed into this truck for the last 28 hours.

[Wounded XJ]

Just let me know if you still need to park your trailer at my house. I have more than enough room for it.

[2LuknF8]

Decided to keep it parked in ftont of the house until the local homeowners ass ociation tells me otherwise. So, if they give me the boot, I will be giving you a call. Truly, thanks for the offer.

Going to run Broken Arrow today. We are still making our list of trails.

[2LuknF8]

Are there any 4x4 club meetings being held in the vicinity of Sedona/Cottonwood/Jerome in the next ten days? Wouldn't mind meeting some of the locals to swap stories.

[Wounded XJ]

What neighborhood are you staying in? Most HOS's in Sedona are uptight and can be nasty. The only 4x4 club that has meeting in the area I know of is then Verde Valley Club. Last I knew they had meetings at Murphy’s in Cottonwood, but I'm not sure what the dates are. Give me a call on my cell tonight and maybe we could work something out where I can attach onto your group for a day or two or just stop by to check out the rigs.

[Wounded XJ]

It was good talking to you guys last night. I'm looking forward to hitting the trails with you later this week!

Oh and look who is cruising the forum at 1am :laugh: