A historic route between Oracle and Tucson, Charouleau Gap (pronounced shar-lou) is the quintessential southern Arizona 4x4 trail and a must-do for anyone with a modified off-road vehicle. It has become kind of an Arizona right of passage. Skirting along the north foothills of the Santa Catalina mountains and in and out of the Canada Del Oro (canyon of gold) canyon, the Charouleau gap trail is a delight.
Trail Difficulty and Assessment
Recommended Vehicle:
Lightly Modified 4X4 (Small Lift and Larger Tires)
Concerns:
Summary:
Waypoint 28 and 29 give the trail its "6" rating.
Community Consensus
0 votes
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2 votes
Easier
Spot On
Harder
The weighted average of your fellow members agreement of our trail
rating. As trail conditions change this helps us keep the community
aware of changes.
Mandatory
6 -
DIFFICULT
The hardest part of the trail that you
cannot bypass - you have to drive it.
Optional
8 -
SEVERE
The hardest part of the trail that is
purely optional - you can bypass it.
Rocky or undulated road surface. Potential rocks less than 36" tall and/or vertical ledges less than 36" tall and/or near vertical ledges or waterfalls less than 84" inches. Tire placement becomes more difficult. Can be steep and off-camber.Read More about our Rating System
This trail can be run in either direction. The road is comprised of hard-packed dirt with embedded rock. There are several Waypoints with obstacles that have to be driven with no bypass available. Particularly the "Bumper Eater" at Waypoint 28 and the deep "V" of the Mine road at Waypoint 29. The "unsurvivable" obstacle at Waypoint 11 is encountered early but does have a bypass. The "Wall Obstacle" is optional but involves climbing up a 10' waterfall. This is the hardest obstacle.
There is a small portion of the trail that can be prone to flash flooding during the summer monsoon rains. Waypoint 22 in particular, is one of these areas that are usually full of water.
1. Trailhead/Kiosk (4.3
mi)
Turn right (northeast). This is the beginning of FR736, the Charouleau Gap trail. You will remain on this road for the entire trip. The trail begins to the left of the sign-in/information kiosk, with a #736 sign on the right. The trail will immediately get rutted and steep here, preventing passenger cars from progressing.
Don't forget to sign in on the register
There is a sign here that theTUCSON ROUGH RIDERS maintain this trail. There is another TRR sign on the other end of the trail that you will encounter in several hours.
2. Wash (4.9
mi)
Continue straight (southeast). This is a small wash that drops about 12' down kind of abruptly, along with a power line. This is a good spot to engage 4LO as there are many climbs ahead. There's a pretty big power transfer station near here on your left.
3. Canada Del Oro Wash - West Side (5.4
mi)
The Canada Del Oro River/Wash (depending on the time of year), which journeyed from east to west through/around the Gap, spills out along the trail and, just beyond this hill, opens out to a wide flat valley. There are still homes on the river banks, so please tread lightly.
Route finding is pretty apparent; you will cross the wash after descending a steep hill and not follow it for more than 50 feet. This is an impressive descent and ascent down into the Canada Del Oro Wash. It is one of the major drainages in the northern Tucson Basin, and the Charouleau Gap trail follows the stream bed for a significant portion of the eastern slope. This is the only spot you encounter on the west slope. Continue along the powerline for a short distance, and the road bends right across the valley, where you will cross another streamlet of the Canada Del Oro.
Keep an eye out for wildlife here; it's a pretty good area to spot deer, coyotes, or javelina.
4. Private Road - Gated Off (5.7
mi)
Continue straight. You will cross this without even noticing it, but on the topo map, it appears that a road crosses the trail here. The left side looks unused, and the right has a fence that says "Private Property," so there is no path for you here.
5. Roads Split (6
mi)
The road "Y"'s here; it doesn't matter which way you choose as the roads rejoin about 200 yards further. The left is easy sandy wash bottom, and the right is rocky and requires a slight climb.
6. Unknown Side Road (6.4
mi)
Stay right. An unmapped small rocky side road takes off up the hill to the left. This is an excellent example of the kinds of shelves/washouts you are dealing with on the western slope portion of the trail.
7. Optional Hill Climb Stay Right (6.5
mi)
This is a fun little jaunt up a hill to the left that reconnects to the main #736 road over the crest. This is entirely optional as FR#736 continues to the right.
8. Mini Moab - Kiss Rock Optional (6.6
mi)
Turn right to access this optional area. Stay left to bypass it and continue on the trail.
This area is renowned on the Charouleau Gap trail for a fun optional set of granite rock obstacles. There is a giant wall of rock here called "KISS ROCK" that some 4x4s can climb. This area is typical of the Santa Catalina Mountain range, and many exposed and weathered (Rounded) boulders and rock faces appear on the Western slope.
Travelers are not usually successful climbing this because of how far things hang out over the bumper. Items such as a rear-mounted spare tire, gas cans, etc., can contact the ground before the vehicle breaks over the top.
If you decide to turn around further up the trail, be aware that route finding in the dark can be very tricky here as all of the granite tends to look the same.
The trail can either be rejoined at the point you turned right, or there is an exit up the rock to the east that will re-connect to the main trail.
9. Dispersed Camp Spot (6.9
mi)
Off to the left is a small road that climbs a hill to a neat, dispersed campsite. The road is a loop that descends back to the main trail. There was a fire ring here and great views of the Oro Valley.
10. Unsurvivable Bypass (7.4
mi)
Turn left for the "Unsurvivable" obstacle bypass route. "Unsurvivable" is the one of the most iconic obstacles of the Charoulea Gap trail. "Unsurvivable" was jackhammered by the USFS to improve wildfire fighting access back in 2010, and it's easier to get up now, but still challenging and intimidating. This is the Bypass route to the left, and even the bypass is tough, with big boulder climbs and a tight turn to the right that must be navigated. The bypass is about 150 yards from the obstacle and comes out just above it at Waypoint 12.
11. Unsurvivable Obstacle (7.4
mi)
Here it is! The obstacle everyone tests their courage on. But it's not as hard as it seems. It was once much worse than today. Nature is slowly returning this obstacle to what it once was, pre-2010.
If you approach slowly and put your passenger tire in the groove to the right, you can climb right up this obstacle. You can easily roll over into the crack if you are unlucky and put your tire too far to the right. This is a good location to use a spotter.
ROLLOVER DANGER!
12. Bypass Rejoins (7.5
mi)
The Unsurvivable bypass rejoins the trail up here near a cattle guard. The bypass comes in from the left (west). There is minimal foliage to hide behind should you need an undergarment change after the obstacle. But, the cattle guard is a good landmark that you have entirely cleared this obstacle.
13. 4-Way Intersection FR#4432/FR#4496 (8.5
mi)
Two Forest Service roads intersect with FR#736 here in a rather sizeable confusing intersection. FR#4432 is the first you encounter, which heads off to the south and dead ends at Cherry Tank. About 150' further up (Stay straight), FR#4496 heads off to the west/Northwest. The top shows this road heading back to civilization in Catalina and linking up with FR#4495; you can explore this road if you care to. Both roads are marked.
14. Dispersed Camp Spot (9.1
mi)
To the left, is another non-descript flat spot and fire ring. Very nice views of the western slope and valleys below.
15. Unknown Road Camp Spot Likely (9.3
mi)
Stay left. To the right, is a road unmarked on the topo map which appears to head down into a heavily wooded wash area. One would expect there to be a camp spot down under the trees. The road looks almost as well traveled as the main road.
16. Geographic Charouleau Gap (10.4
mi)
This is the actual geographic point of Charouleau Gap. A saddle between the western and eastern slopes. Don't congratulate yourselves just yet. From here, many choose to return down the western slope as the most challenging part of the trail is ahead. This is a great spot for lunch as some oak trees are up here for shade. A cattle guard here makes for a good "I'm in Charouleau Gap" photo.
You can also look back down the western slope for a nice view of the climb just made and Oro Valley in the distance.
The Samaniego Ridge trail intersects to the right and looks wide enough to have been a road at one time. This trail leads up to the top of Mount Lemmon and Summer Haven, which is the end of the Mount Lemmon Control Road trail.
17. FR#4494 & Deepest "V" Washout (11.1
mi)
This is an insanely deep "V" near the intersection with FR#4494. You will have to carefully straddle this obstacle as the drop-off would tip you onto your door if you drop a wheel down into it. You may want to consider a ground guide here. It's not required. But makes good sense. Stay right and straddle the "V" as you descend from the Gap onto the eastern slope shelf road.
From here, you will drop quite a bit of altitude as you descend into the Canada Del Oro Canyon (which means Canyon of Gold), but other than the washouts, there is not much to be concerned about. There are several spots to pass if you encounter an ascending vehicle - which, of course, has the right of way. Most of the shelf is little more than a vehicle width, so a sharp eye down the trail is a good idea to see if an ascent is in progress.
18. FR#4493 Stay Right (12.1
mi)
Stay right. A sharp left turn up the hill leads to Pig Spring. The topo says it is a short road and dead ends near the spring. Stay right and continue down the hill on the shelf road.
19. Red Ridge Trailhead (13.5
mi)
Continue Straight. This is part of the Arizona trail and heads back up the mountain side to the top of Mount Lemmon.
20. 4x4 Warning Sign (13.6
mi)
You had better heed this warning. If you have them, smacking your rock rails is highly likely here. If you don't have 'em...Well, you should have some. This welded sign was placed here by the Tucson Rough Riders and pretty much marks the part of the trail that will become much more serious. A wonderful boulder garden awaits you here.
The boulders are 12" - 36" here, and when the Canada Del Oro has water in it, Navigation and spotting through this area becomes more tricky. At different times the river bottom can be dry; however, the boulders don't get any smaller.
21. Mine Road (13.7
mi)
This road leads off to a bunch of shafts and prospects off to the right. Some old dead trees help mark the spot. The topo shows this as a pack trail to the top of a hill at 4,983'.
22. The Car Wash (13.8
mi)
The "Car Wash" is another well-known obstacle on the Charouleau Gap Trail.
This is the actual headwater section of the Canada Del Oro River/Wash and, as such, occasionally has water in it up to 40" deep. This is a particular concern should you be in this canyon during Southern Arizona monsoons in June, July, and August. Finding a good location to provide spotting is tricky as you'll be standing in cool mountain water.
There are several very rocky boulder gardens to cross until you drop down to the river bottom. The Car Wash obstacle is only about 150 yards long and exits out to the right, ascending a small challenging rocky hill.
If you are unsure of your skill at navigating this kind of terrain, this is a good spot to turn around.
23. Unknown Hill Climb Spot (14
mi)
This is a steep hill that crests and turns sharp left. (which you may not be able to see over your hood) There is another unmarked road that heads up the hill to the right. The Trail continues over and down to the left. Neither of these roads is marked on the topo.
24. Coronado Camp (14.7
mi)
This was a small camp area that housed miners in the early part of the 20th century. Not much history remains other than a single adobe wall atop a large concrete pad. It's a shame that time, vandals, and a fire in 2005 have erased this spot from the map. In the 1980s, this cabin still had a roof and four walls. click here for an old comparison Evidence of recent camping on the concrete is apparent. This is a relatively flat, heavily forested area near a deep wash that you will have to cross.
25. Steep Boulder Descent (14.7
mi)
The road down from Coronado Camp's ruins has eroded out along the wash bank. There are two lines (Each of which is doable). The one to the right involves a pretty fair-sized boulder scramble down, and the one to the left is a bit easier but may still require a spotter assist.
26. The Steps (Optional) (14.9
mi)
Stay left. (The wash bottom to the right leads to this obstacle).
This optional obstacle isn't even on the main trail any longer. This is a 4-5' vertical climb, with some slight chance right and left lines that many would never attempt. This is a highly modified vehicle obstacle or even a rock buggy climb. To find it, after you reach the second part of the wash, take the correct "Y." (It's only about 150 yards to the "Steps." The Main trail continues left at the "Y."
Damage is likely, and recovery is extremely difficult as you are about in the middle of the trail. Think hundreds of dollars for a tow truck in here. On a recent excursion, Three Toyota Tacoma's were traveling in Charouleau Gap; one blew out its differential on the "Step" obstacle. This vehicle was immobile and was towed out with a strap. If you are alone, there is no cell service, and if you could send for help, you could have real problems getting your rig out of here.
A good recommendation is a solid axle setup or long travel capability vehicle to attempt this.
The wash continues to the north and rejoins the main trail.
27. Best Camping Spot Stay Left (15.8
mi)
This has to be the best camp spot on this trail, a nice smooth flat shaded by an oak tree area to the right along a wash. You could put 10-15 tents in here.
28. The Bumper Eater (16.3
mi)
This is the most complicated obstacle on the trail. It starts about 150' back from the tight 90-degree S turn. It is much more washed out than other parts of the Charouleau Gap Trail. You begin by staying high left to get over the first rocky outcrop (Where you can be high-centered pretty easily if you go too far right).
After you are past this rock (Which isn't that hard), you are faced with a hard left turn and are confronted with two paths:
To the left is loose scree that will slide the back end of your vehicle into the big boulder at the left. The true path is to take the right side, where you have to skirt around another boulder directly in the middle of the trail. To the right is a severe off-camber dirt wall that you must drive on around the rock in the middle of the trail. Then you are faced with a 3' shelf to climb.
At one time, there was a tree at the end that you could winch against, but it's long since been pulled out of the ground, so no help there.
This obstacle is probably the main reason you don't want to do this trail alone, as a spotter is highly recommended here.
29. Mine Access Road and Difficult Deep "V" Hill Climb (
mi)
Immediately after the "Bumper Eater" obstacle, you must climb a 75' high hill that is deeply washed out. About 80% of the way up the hill, a passenger tire can drop into the "V" and flip a vehicle onto the passenger side. Using a spotter at the top of the hill may save body panel damage.
ROLLOVER DANGER:
The road at the top to the left is FR#4491, which leads to a bunch of mining activity off to the west.
30. FR#737 to Burn Tank (16.6
mi)
Continue straight. Just another Forest Service road to the right leads off to Burn Tank (FS#737). There is an FR#736 sign on the right side of the road just before you come to this intersection.
31. Dangerous Rocky Hill Climb (16.9
mi)
Stay to the right side. Tire placement is very important.
This is a rocky hill climb immediately across a small wash. If you have a locker, this might be the place to use it.
The line to take is to the far right (counterintuitively up the rock face)- Then up to the left after climbing the initial 20'. This is a challenging obstacle/hill climb, and if you try to go up the left side at the beginning, you cross a very deep wash crossing, and the rollover danger is very real. If you are unsure how to tackle this, ask for a spotter to guide you.
This gate, which is a seemingly odd spot at the crest of a ridge after you negotiate some tight switchbacks, is normally closed. Be careful with your footing up here when you debark to open /close the gate; it's steep terrain with some loose scree. This gate is normally closed; please leave it that way after you pass.
33. Escalator Top (18
mi)
Another signature obstacle on the Charouleau Gap trail is the "Escalator" (Sometimes referred to as the "Elevator"). A very steep hill that descends 600 feet in 0.3 of a mile. Expect a 30% down bubble on your inclinometer. Be sure your brakes are in good shape. A better technique is to drop into 1st gear low transfer and use the engine as a brake.
It will still be a tad unnerving as your engine RPMs climb ferociously. For some, the pucker factor may be high.
34. Escalator Bottom (18.3
mi)
You made it. But now there's a three-way fork to deal with! FR# 7705 crosses here (Though the topo only shows it going to the right) in the Dodge Wash. Continue Straight on FR#736, and you will start to climb out of the bottom. As you climb, look back over your shoulder at the impressive hill you just descended. (Or, if you are coming this way, lament at the giant hill you are about to climb).
35. Shortcut Road (20.3
mi)
Stay Right. A closed gate leads to a road that shortcuts FR#736 a short distance. It's much straighter but considerably rougher. By this point, you'll be happy to stay on FR#736.
36. Dead End Hill (20.4
mi)
Stay right.
Just before you descend into the Irene Wash (where a windmill will be on your right), a road leads up a hill. This is likely a dead end up to the hilltop as it is not shown on the topo.
37. Unknown Road (20.7
mi)
Stay right.
A nondescript road that looks like a two-track leads off to the left. This may be a shortcut to the town of Oracle; its terminus does not show on the topo map. You are climbing along the edge of Oracle Hill here (on your right).
38. Coronado Forest Boundary Gate (21.4
mi)
Stay right; the gate at this intersection is usually closed; please close the gate once you have passed it. A shortcut leads out to the Oracle water tank to the left. To the right is the continuation of FR#736 that leads to the air-up spot.
39. Rough Riders Sign (21.7
mi)
Make a left turn here - Straight ahead leads to FR#4487 toward the San Pedro River valley. There is a large metal sign placed by the Tucson Roughriders here.
40. Air Up - Staging Trail END (21.8
mi)
About a 1/2 acre, open dirt area awaits at the trail's end. This is where you would air back up because the pavement is on the other side of the gate. This gate is usually closed; please close the gate upon your exit from the Charouleu Gap trail.
41. Callas Dr and N Viento Dr (TURN L) (21.9
mi)
The next few Waypoints are not part of the trail. However, getting out of the neighborhood where the Charouleau Gap trail ends can be quite confusing. These Waypoints give the most direct route to the intersection with American Way and connecting trail: The Mount Lemmon Control Road Trail
Close the gate and head north for about one 10th of a mile to the intersection of Callas Drive (Charouleau Gap Road) and North Viento Drive. Turn left here at the "T" onto North Viento Drive.
42. 3 -Way Fork - Becomes N Estil Drive (22.3
mi)
This is an interesting 4 street intersection that presents as a three-fingered fork when going south. The roads are North Viento Drive, North Estill Drive, and East Nuestro Street (Which you won't be on). If you stay left, the road becomes North Estill Drive.
Alternatively, If heading south to start the trail from the eastern end, you would stay at the far right fork. (North Viento Drive)
43. E Maplewood St and N Estill Dr (22.6
mi)
Turn left. This is a "T" intersection at East Maplewood Street. You will know you are in the right place when you see the big granite rock, typical of many others in Oracle. Turn left here for about 100 yards.
44. N College Dr and W Maplewood Street (22.6
mi)
Turn right, After about 100 yards, East Maplewood Street ends at a 90-degree bend to the right. There is a road to the southwest shown on the topo map but that is just a private driveway. Turn right onto North College Drive to the final waypoint.
45. N College Dr and W American Ave (END) Connect to MT. Lemmon Trail (22.7
mi)
This is the "T" connection with North College Drive and West American Way. There is a large white church here as a landmark. To the right will take you to the Mount Lemmon Control Road, or alternatively, through Oracle back to Highway 77. To the left, will return to some convenience stores for fuel and Highway 77. (Yes American Way intersects Highway 77 twice).
Dispersed
Improved
Designated
Catalina State Park is close to the Catalina trailhead/end. Tent and RV sites are available. Many hotels and resorts are near this area in Tucson along Oracle Road.
There are dispersed camp spots along the trail. You can find small places to pitch your tent at Waypoints. 9, 14,15, 24 and 27.
Starting Point
Downtown Tucson
From Tucson take Oracle Rd North/Northwest to Golder ranch rd, set your odometer to 0.0 here. (Note, all mileages are measured from this spot). This is not the actual trailhead but it is a very convenient place to designate as a gathering point for a group ready to traverse the Gap. You will find your last opportunity for gas and snacks at the Valero, and a Basha's supermarket to get more substantial supplies, like lunches, wood, etc. Proceed East until Lago Del Oro Blvd then make a left turn. Head North for 4.3 miles to the trailhead on right at the cattle guard. There is a sign in kiosk and information board here.
We took 10 vehicles through the smallest vehicles were 2 Bronco Badland Sasquatch (35" tires), and 1 Jeep Rubicon Recon (35" tires). The trail matches the description above until you get to waypoint 20 (4x4 sign). After that the trail was very rough and we did not see many of the iconic features like the staircase. Every low point in the trail has seen significant erosion requiring creative path finding to get past. At squeeze rock (32.55547, -110.78379), the erosion had deepened the cut reducing the width of the squeeze The JL Rubicon got through by tearing the fenders and damaging the right door hinge. We climbed out of the left side of the wash, then over a large rock and were able to continue on. At (32.55654, -110.78384) a bank had eroded an undercut and the first vehicle fell in on its side. We pulled it out and spent the night on the trail. Stacking rocks over spare tires filled the hole enough to get through. The next serious obstacle was (32.56742, -110.78185) where the erosion had dug a 8-10' gulley (see picture). Significant road work and rock stacking allowed the first vehicle to clear and then we just had to pull each vehicle through. The rest of the trail is essentially as described above. 18 hours to run it. Expect to get very good a driving a v notch. Good Luck
First off. Do not do this trail alone. It is no joke. There was four vehicles in various stages of broken along the trail. All in all I would rate the first leg to the Canada del oro as difficult. Everything north of the water is extreme.
Did most of the north end if this trail in a GMC 5500 tow truck, duelly, 4X4. Some steep stuff and tight turns but nothing crazy. If you can drive, I'd rate it moderate at best. Then again, I was up there to recover a newer Rubicon that the driver couldn't get out of a ditch. Started it, put in low and locked both ends and drove it out...so maybe over selling the trail is a good idea haha
I usually stay off trails with a difficulty rating as high as this one. My son and his friends used to run part of the trail on the west side when they were in high school. Nostalgia, on his part, was what got us (two Jeeps ... don't run this one solo) out today. I loved the west end of the trail. Lots of rolling trail that really utilized the flex in my lift. Found the "Unsurvivable Obstacle" to be very interesting ... took three tries to get the Jeep lined up correctly to make it up. We voted to pass on the "Steps" ... neither Jeep was properly outfitted for that obstacle. Had a little trouble at the "Bumper Eater" ... seems it sleeted just before we got there. With the rocks soaking wet, it made for an interesting challenge. Both lockers and a bump saved the day. We spent a little over six hours on the trail, which included lunch, lots of picture taking, and lots of spotting through the harder spots. Both of us voted this trail a favorite.
The bighorn fire has closed the roads up Mount Lemmon. The town of Summerhaven is under a SET to prepare for an evacuation order. (as of 6/15/2020) This fire has grown about 1-2 thousand acres per day and the weather is not doing anything to slow this down. (Hot and windy). The fire edge was only about 1 mile from the trailhead of FR 736 and the neighborhood just to the south of the TH has been evacuated. BUT, the fire will have to pass through a significant amount of values at risk to get here to the Trail. I have not seen the official closure but it is probably not a smart idea to get trapped on this trail right now. All of the other roads up Mount Lemmon are closed right now.
Once this fire gets onto Samaniego Ridge, it will run right over the geographic gap/saddle. Please wait until Monsoons tamp this down (And fill the car wash back up) before you run this trail. Don't become a rescue problem.
Catalina State Park is closed to camping right now.
We took 3 Full-Size Broncos, 2 EB Broncos, a Jeep, and a Toyota through here. Everybody was running 35" tires at a min. and all were Locked front and rear accept 1. We started in Saddlebrooke at 900am and exited the trail in Oracle at 630pm. There was no water in the wash anywhere along the trail. The area has not seen rain in a long time. Down in the wash, the trail was much rockier. Here are the trail updates. At waypoint 8 Little Moab. The ground next to Kiss Rock has been severely dug out from vehicles attempting this obstacle. We climbed it at the far left and far-right. WayPoint 10. Unsurvivable, is getting back to the old days. It is getting worse. Full-Size rigs stay right with passenger tire on the highest ledge, Going left will mean body damage (watch the video) If you are still unsure take the bypass but use a spotter that trail is steep and hard to see over the hood of your vehicle. Waypoint 17? I don't remember this spot, so I have to think it really wasn't all that bad. WayPoint 24, the only thing left of camp is the cement slab. WayPoint 25 is now more of a boulder field, pick your line and go slow, no problem. WayPoint 26 The Steps like the description says heavily modified vehicles only one wrong move and your day is done considering your location. WayPoint 28 is a lot more eroded out due to the lack of debris carrying water. Rock piling will need to be done here if you do not have the aid of a locker. Be sure to remove the rocks you piled up afterward to make more fun for the next person. WayPoint 29 was simply fun but: can be a hazard. WayPoint 33. This portion of the trail is steep loose gravel & narrow, proceed slowly. For you Full-Size vehicles it is best to turn your front locker on for steering control. The weight of the Bronco being pushed down this steep hill: it was hard to steer until we turned the locker on. This gave me control and I was able to steer it in the direction I wanted it to go. This is a fun ALL DAY TRAIL. Come prepare and you will have a great time.
This trail has become very washed out and overgrown. Lots of off camber sections closer to the Oracle side. We ran it from Oracle to the Catalina side and camped in the middle. It is a strong difficult in parts. Kiss Rock is very washed out and we took the bypass. Several fallen trees and branches had to be taken care of. Lots of pin-stripping. Be careful on the section closer to the Catalina side as the grass hides washouts. Despite that it was a really fun trail!
One of my favorite trails in the Tucson area. It has everything, rock crawling, hill climbs, water crosssings and incredible scenery. The trail always has it's challenges but with careful spotting and the right line, you can get through everything. We enjoyed hiking into a couple canyons and found a couple vistas on some side trails.
From the Community
Be the first to ask a question!
Jim Long
Mapping Crew - Arizona
I moved to Arizona in 1984 and bought my first offroad vehicle the next year. I had lots of adventures, seeking out the Old West on paper topo maps in my Toyota FJ40 and can say, fortunately, that I never had to walk home. In 2005 I saw the prototype for the FJ Cruiser, and in the middle of my FJ40 resto project, someone came into my garage with cash and bought it out from under me. (Some regrets) In 2008, I flew out to LA to pick up my FJ Cruiser, special ordered with the Offroad Package (Locker) and MT6. My area of operations has been Southern Arizona, from the New Mexico to California borders. Unfortunately, the FJ Cruiser burned in a fire in August 2020. Now I'm building up from the ashes, literally, salvaged parts from the FJ are going on my Lexus GX470. SO, that's what's coming out next.
I have been an active member of AZFJ.org where I'm the top post contributor, and have many trail reviews posted there that I plan on enhancing, revisiting and documenting for this authoritative source. I have a login to Ih8Mud and fjcruiserforums but don't lurk there very much.
in my career, I've had the pleasure of traveling in Canada, the Caribbean, and Australia but never had the opportunity to wheel there. (bucket list). But, I hope my 30 years of Southern Arizona discovery, teaching and leading people into the backcountry will finally benefit a wider audience here on Trailsoffroad. There's nothing I enjoy more than finding a historic site, a little-used trail that had significance or the opportunity to take that one photo that defines what we do. (I stink but I'm willing to learn).
Oh..Added benefit...I'm the GIS analyst for a fire dept and as such have some skills in ArcGIS.
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