Mount Vernon

The route starts out on a narrow trail framed by towering saguaro cactus, swaying ocotillo, and low-lying prickly pear, requiring you to navigate occasional brush, a tight squeeze between fallen rocks, while watching out for minor washouts. As you climb toward the peak, the landscape gives way to surreal and historic landmarks, featuring a wrecked motorhome sitting off the trail, and the weathered remains of an old cabin in disrepair. The views from this vantage point are awesome.

After taking in the sights at the top, the final part of the journey tests you, and your vehicle, with a steep, loose, chunky, and off-camber downhill trek that guides you back down to the wash floor. The adventure concludes with one final narrow, washed-out section to navigate before you cruise smoothly to the end of the trail.

From the north, the trail to the cabin is moderate, and you can turn around at this point. If you keep going south, it becomes a difficult decent to the bottom. For even more of a challenge, take the trail north so you're going up hill. That will be quite a ride, and locking differentials will be very helpful. There's plenty of room at the top, by the old cabin, for a few vehicles to set up camp.

Any high clearance four wheel drive vehicle can make it to the old cabin, and probably down the mountain, but it depends on your experience and tenacity.