Steward I
- 1,228
- First Name
- Paul
- Last Name
- Morris
- Member #
-
15153
- Ham/GMRS Callsign
- K9IHQ
HI all,
In pixel form exists the large online world of overlanding and off-road exploration and adventure. In reality though, I hardly anyone who even knows what that means, much less has the interest, resource or will to join.
So I figured I'd reach out to that online world by means of posting my plan on this forum in the case that any like minded people catch it and find interest in joining me.
The thrill of adventure and exploration by means of journeying through unseen places and camping under the night sky beckons me often, if not always.
This time, the satiation comes by a Northen Arizona trail traversing off-road trek that I've recently read about. I spent a couple hours yesterday studying charts, maps and journels and ended up plotting a course that's just over 150 miles long from dirt-begin to dirt-end. It primarily runs North through the Prescott and Kalibab National Forests, and ultimately ends at the south rim of the Grand Canyon. My course runs over much wooded lands and grasslands, climbing from 3500' to over 7500' and then back down again. The trail passes 3 small towns along the way to restock/refuel etc as needed.
I'm planning on spending 3 nights on the trail overall, so a total of 4 days should return me back home again. I'm loosely planing to leave early Monday morning 6/10 from San Diego, travel the 450 miles (6.5 hrs roughly) to the start of my trail and head right into the wild. I figure make 15-30 miles off-road and then find suitable camping spot for the night. Day 2 (Tues) wake early and put 60 or so miles behind us while making time to visit Jerome ghost town, stop at abandoned mines along the way, grab a bite at a town and resupply if need be, and then hit the hills for another camp location. Day 3 (Wed) will be the last 40-60 miles and one more night of camping. I'm hoping to find a suitiable water source along the way to do some fishing in, but we'll see. The Day 4 (Thurs 6/13) is an early morning Grand Canyon stop n view, and then back west to southern Cali. Attached is a screenshot from my phone of the course I plotted with the way points removed for clarity. It's the yellow line that the blue arrows are pointing to. Gives you an idea of the general area.
I know it's short notice, but if there's someone else out there who wants to get out and off the road and is ready to do so, this will be a fun trip through some beautiful country. I don't know the road conditions precisely, but from what I've been reading it's nothing technical or very challenging. This is about the journey, and not about how big of a rock we can climb over or who's tires are bigger. A high-clearance 4x4 vehicle should be able to manage the roads. I plan on shooting alot of photos while I'm out, as I always do. Camp gear will be needed, as there are 3 nights of camping. You'll also want to bring a cooler for food that we can pick up before and on the way. I typically cook/eat breakfast and dinner at camp, and eat lunch while on the trail.
I will be heading out of San Diego, but we can rally at the AZ/Cali Border or Prescott AZ before heading out. Feel free to message me with any questions that you have. I hope this post catches the eye of the right person who has been looking for a reason to pull the trigger and get off the pavement.
Cheers-
In pixel form exists the large online world of overlanding and off-road exploration and adventure. In reality though, I hardly anyone who even knows what that means, much less has the interest, resource or will to join.
So I figured I'd reach out to that online world by means of posting my plan on this forum in the case that any like minded people catch it and find interest in joining me.
The thrill of adventure and exploration by means of journeying through unseen places and camping under the night sky beckons me often, if not always.
This time, the satiation comes by a Northen Arizona trail traversing off-road trek that I've recently read about. I spent a couple hours yesterday studying charts, maps and journels and ended up plotting a course that's just over 150 miles long from dirt-begin to dirt-end. It primarily runs North through the Prescott and Kalibab National Forests, and ultimately ends at the south rim of the Grand Canyon. My course runs over much wooded lands and grasslands, climbing from 3500' to over 7500' and then back down again. The trail passes 3 small towns along the way to restock/refuel etc as needed.
I'm planning on spending 3 nights on the trail overall, so a total of 4 days should return me back home again. I'm loosely planing to leave early Monday morning 6/10 from San Diego, travel the 450 miles (6.5 hrs roughly) to the start of my trail and head right into the wild. I figure make 15-30 miles off-road and then find suitable camping spot for the night. Day 2 (Tues) wake early and put 60 or so miles behind us while making time to visit Jerome ghost town, stop at abandoned mines along the way, grab a bite at a town and resupply if need be, and then hit the hills for another camp location. Day 3 (Wed) will be the last 40-60 miles and one more night of camping. I'm hoping to find a suitiable water source along the way to do some fishing in, but we'll see. The Day 4 (Thurs 6/13) is an early morning Grand Canyon stop n view, and then back west to southern Cali. Attached is a screenshot from my phone of the course I plotted with the way points removed for clarity. It's the yellow line that the blue arrows are pointing to. Gives you an idea of the general area.
I know it's short notice, but if there's someone else out there who wants to get out and off the road and is ready to do so, this will be a fun trip through some beautiful country. I don't know the road conditions precisely, but from what I've been reading it's nothing technical or very challenging. This is about the journey, and not about how big of a rock we can climb over or who's tires are bigger. A high-clearance 4x4 vehicle should be able to manage the roads. I plan on shooting alot of photos while I'm out, as I always do. Camp gear will be needed, as there are 3 nights of camping. You'll also want to bring a cooler for food that we can pick up before and on the way. I typically cook/eat breakfast and dinner at camp, and eat lunch while on the trail.
I will be heading out of San Diego, but we can rally at the AZ/Cali Border or Prescott AZ before heading out. Feel free to message me with any questions that you have. I hope this post catches the eye of the right person who has been looking for a reason to pull the trigger and get off the pavement.
Cheers-
