Queen Creek Canyon

The views on this trail are spectacular. It was somewhat hazy when we did it but we were still able to see the southeast edge of the Phoenix metro area (about 25 miles away) from the high point of the trail. Would love to come back on a really clear day. The most technically challenging part of the trail starts at waypoint 8 and continues to be difficult for about 2 miles. The description for waypoint 8 indicates that this part was graded but any advantage given by that grading is now long gone.

Been 2 years since we ran this trail, really love that it's gotten a little more technical. The current rating of 4 is very spot on although the off camber in a few places is more extreme vs. moderate. Several spots had a good 20 degrees of off camber and one or two other spots had 25+ degrees of off camber, got these measurements from my new inclinometer. I would also recommend no full size for how narrow a lot of this trail has become.

This was an Awsome trail.. but you better have a lift and at least 35's.. I have a 2.5" with a 1 inch spring on the rear and was still scrapping..

Just past the mine at mile 16, the N Creen Creek Canyon Rd is blocked by a gate, and you are required to take a left straight of the up the hill on N. Cerro Rd. From this point on the trail is really bad; very washed out, loose broken rocks and large rock shelves. Ended up getting a flat when the sidewall of my tire was ripped open by a sharp rock.

Went up after a night of hard rains. Helped a Jeep recover after slipping into a washed out eroded part of the trail on the edge of a drop off just east of the turn off after Montana Mtn. Ended up backing out / turning around a little past that point because of all the erosion. The water crossing were a blast when you first enter the trail at waypoint 1.

Trail isn't difficult (stock jlu Rubicon) but with the rains a lot of the trail has washed out sections, forcing you to pay attention to tire placement in order to not drop a tire into the ruts. It makes for an exciting time!

Arizona National Forests and State Lands are back open for travel. There are still some very important fire restrictions in place. These restrictions can often change by specific areas.

Tonto National Forest officials will close the state’s largest national forest due to ongoing extreme fire danger beginning at 8 a.m. on Friday, June 25. The forest is implementing this forest closure as a precaution to protect the health and safety of the public, employees and firefighters by reducing the risk of human-caused fires. No one is allowed in the closure area, including Forest Service personnel, unless they are responding to a wildfire or other emergency or patrolling to ensure enforcement of the closure. The order shall remain in effect until July 31, 2021 or until rescinded, whichever occurs first. Residents or businesses using roads in the restricted area to the extent necessary to access their private property are exempt.

I took a relatively new jeeper out there and it took us 5 hrs with a couple extended breaks. First 60% or so of the trail is pretty mild and would be more accurate to say a 2 in difficulty. Then the last 40% comes. It starts getting real fun and a couple spots are more a 5 difficulty. When you reach the power substation and smoother roads, don't think for a second its over. You'll then reach a gate that says power employees only and forces you up a hill to some of the most technical trail of the day. Over all, really fun trail. The only sketchy part was around wp8 where the trail is very washed out and has a huge sink hole on the left forcing you into a barbed wire fence on the right to get through. Just pay very close attention while driving, I had to stop my new jeeper pal as he almost drove into it. Also, can't stress airing down enough. This trail would beat you senseless if you weren't aired down. Make sure you have a proper air compressor to air back up, not a playschool POS like my jeeper pal had that took forever to pump his 35 back to just 30psi. I had to air up his other 3 tires.

Fun Trail i think it harder than a 4 but I trust the guys that know more than me. Very rocky in parts and some of the switchback you have to do a three point turn in my JKUR ( it could of been just my driving). You get some nice leaning action once you on top of the ridge (your passenger will notice as they are looking down the cliff). Its a longer trail that kept my full attention so when you come to the Mine Road Only i was a little upset that I had to go back up another hill. The last little leg was the worst of the trail might of been more fun if we didn't see the Mine Rd and were not wore out (we said we should of took more breaks). We have not decided if we do it again. Well worth doing once. Some great campsites along the trail.

We ran this route with 9 jeeps, mostly Rubicons. (Not me). Spent about 5 hours with several breaks, which were needed due to the rough conditions. The "Y" at waypoint 4 (look for the red hill) gives you an optional way over the mountain, and the left is actually in better shape than the marked FR342. Magnificent views at WP6 make the effort worthwhile. After hours of pounding, the turn up the hill at waypoint 8 was probably the worst conditions of the route, but the rock formations are very cool. Very happy to get to the power distribution site and smoother roads!

Fionn is correct, this trail is not for first timers. The summer rains have caused an increase in the difficulty, but not outside of the range of a 4/4 trail. A couple of us ran the trail yesterday to check it out and do some trimming. Today we took a nine Jeep convoy on the trail. Several drivers said that they would be back. Think of this trail as Montana Mountain's nasty little sister. It's a fun trail. To answer Calin's question ... the Trails Off Road track takes the easier route at the beginning of the trail right off Montana Mountain. The more difficult trail (branches to the North) takes you to a location right over the cabin off Montana Mountain Trail. You can't see the cabin, but the view is worth the extra effort.

This trail is not for first timers. When following directions to trailhead "Turn left at the Y and follow FR 650 until you reach the FR 342 trailhead." we had to turn around at this point as the road was badly damaged and impassible...

Great trail to extend the Montana Mountain trip. Less scenic than Montana but has few points that won’t disappoint. Definitely more challenging, narrower with long steep climbs at beginning after it splits from Montana Mountain descent. There seem to be two options to do the first few miles (the climb from that split of Montana Mountain intersection). It may be that the gpx track listed here has the more challenging version, cannot guarantee though. The other option seemed smoother and wider and runs to your left as you climb (did the trail clockwise). From challenge perspective I would call out it being narrow, steep, some loose rocks sections, few minor shelves. Must have 4x4 with traction tires and at least some extra ground clearance. From scenic perspective I would highlight the beautiful view of Apache Ridge from the top, several expansive vistas to the South and varied vegetation up top. I would say it is at the border between easy and medium (4ish as other member highlighted).

If you like the Montana Mountain trail, you'll also like this one. Lot's of scenic views along the trail. We seemed to have the trail to ourselves today. Definitely a little more technical than Montana Mountain, but not that much more of a challenge. Drove a stock JL Rubicon with no problems.

Great scenic trail! I say it should be rated a solid 4. No traction aids needed and no challenging obstacles, but the scenery was amazing! Definitely recommend this trail!

Good trail. Great country views. I would recommend.