Dutch Flat Road

We started the day about 10 miles south of Lake Havasu City and traveled about five miles on the "Mohave Wash Trail" to link up with "Dutch Flat Road." At the end of "Dutch Flat Road", we used "Dutch Flat, Northern Mohave Connector" to get to the "Northern Foothills of the Mohave Mountains" trail. We then used the "Franconia Road" to exit the desert onto I-40. That made about a 40 mile trail across the desert. The "Dutch Flat Road" made up almost a third of that length. Some sections of the trail have become deeply rutted and some of the curves have become steeply banked. However, the road contributes to an interesting trip ... watching the mountains change with the shadows, the pattern of the land across I-40 where it shows signs of development (at least the roads look like they have been laid out), and the basic land along the trail. This is a great trail to see Joshua Trees ... we even saw one that looks like it identifies as a Christmas tree,

While the trail is indeed fairly easy the washboards are brutal and never ending. I agree with the previous review the trail has some challenging portions and the 2-track is deeply rutted in some spots casing my differential to drag (2019 Ford Ranger on 34"s) if I didn't ride the center ridge. Around way point 2 the trail was deeply flooded and being solo I was glad there was a bypass. I connected back to Hwy. 95 via Standard Wash, many miles of brutal washboard.

This was really a beautiful drive in the desert. I must say that being a novice this was much more a challenge than I expected. Vehicle was capable and I got some good lessons. I did continue on the AZPT back to 95.

Fun drive around the mountains back to Lake Havasu today. The washboard? whoop-de-doos? or whatever the little rolling hills are that are staggered one in front of the other was pretty rough after Waypoint 7 until a link pin for my front sway bar broke. The ride was a bit easier after that. So for once, I'm happy something broke! All in all, a great trip. Even Standard Wash was pretty smooth.

This trail is a great way to get into the Mohave Wash and over to McCracken Mine other than Alamo and Planet Ranch Roads, but not one of my normal trails. If you want to cover some ground and say you went around the mountain and back to Havasu, this is it. It gets a bit too rough for me closer to Havasu. Props to whoever has been dragging/ grading this into and down Standard Wash; this trip was great. Last trip several years ago, not so much. It sure is a surprise when one of those cactus needles comes through the bottom of your shoe into your foot!