Todd

I took this most recently from west to east. The west to east direction gives you a much different view of the wilderness areas, which I say would be better, but you end up with views of the nuclear power plant towards the end of the trail, which more or less negates the overall vibe. I noticed a larger number of people out on the trail than I normally do.

I have been on this road now several times over the last two months while creating new trail guides for the area. Nothing has really changed in terms of the technical or rough scale. As always, the eastern end is a bit more crowded. If you start just at sunrise, you are sure to have the road to yourself.

I would not rate this trail a 3-star review, but I don't know if I would call it a 4-star either. I have been out in this area a bunch lately; maybe it's because I have had too much time in the area, and I am becoming numb to some of it. However, what makes me want to give this more of a 4 rather than a 3 rating is trip up and over the Gila Bend Mountains. It's very short but enjoyable and highly scenic. I enjoy it more traveling from the south to the north. The other bonus of this trail is that it allows you to make all sorts of different loops and routes within the area.

I had wanted to get this trail on the site for some time as it's such an important connector trail in the area. If the trail was longer, I might have given this a 4-star rating. However, how much one likes or dislikes the trail is immaterial. The trail is a simple connector that allows for a much bigger route, more adventure, and a heck of a lot more fun when exploring this incredible area.

The rock formations here are seriously some of the best I have ever been to. I would recommend this trail for what awaits you at the end - pure natural beauty!

Don't let the distance fool you into thinking this is a great overlanding road. It is not in itself. The reason I added this trail is because its an important road that connects the others in the area. The road is not bad once you get past farmland and closer to the Wilderness area, but it does follow a rail line and power lines the entire way. It is what it is, but it sure beats pavement or gravel!

What a fun trail. The wash is wide and when traveling north you have great views of the Gila Bend Mountains. The waterhole and landing strip are very much worth the stop and a look around by foot.

The trail is under seasonal closure! See you in the summer :)

The open dates have been corrected.

This trail is all about what you see at the end. An incredible formation of rocks with ancient petroglyphs all dotted with jurrasic sized Joshua Trees. Well worth the trip and honestly, you could spend a day right here.

What a great road! I took this after running Wilbanks Road on my way out to Highway 95. A million times better than taking El Paso Pipeline Road out. The slow reveal of the mountains was palpitating, the closer I got, the better the views. Really want to get back and explore this one some more as I bet there are some really interesting things that were not easily visible.

Rugged, remote, scenic, and no crowds earn this one a 5-star review from me! Right up there with Engesser Pass as my favorites in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. If you can time it right, loop this with Kofa Jasper Springs - it's an epic trip.

Not a bad road at all, the terrain changes made the road interesting with the two-track rolling up and over humps and bumps. An abundance of camping along this road too!

This trail is aptly named, Hoodoo Wash because you are in a wash almost the entire time! Great views of the distant ranges and the cabins are very interesting and well intact. This trail is definitely worth exploring. Outside of the cabin areas, there is almost no camping along this trail.

Snow and ice are making this trail somewhat impassable for the remainder of the year and most likely through to late spring.

Multiple reports are stating this trail is now impassable for the season. If you wish to go "snow wheeling", be sure to never go alone, have proper recovery gear, sleeping bags, emergency supplies, extra food, and water.

The trail is now impassable due to snow and ice. Expect it to be passable again around July 4th, 2021.

Snow and ice are present on the trail, making it potentially impassable.

Snow and ice are making this trail somewhat impassable for the remainder of the year and most likely through to late spring.

This road is really not that bad, but I did feel like giving it a two-star review versus the three stars that I have given it. Why might you ask? Well, it's the darn powerlines and gas lines that make a great road turn into a 2 or 3-star road. Take the utilities and the highway out of eyeshot and this would be a world-class trail, seriously. However, what this trail offers in terms of accessibility to the others in the area... it gets a 5-star review for that because not many roads give you access as this one does. The views around the Eagletail Mountains are just epic, definitely go for sunrise!

I quickly drove this road starting from Waypoint 6, and back to Highway 95. Very uneventful, but I was disappointed this was going to be my last 6 miles of dirt for the day. I could see how running this from west to east would be more of a scenic and interesting drive -- knowing you aren't going to see pavement for a while.

A very quick way to connect the other roads in the area. This is not a destination trail, but you know, it wasn't like I hated it or anything.

I love this road and this area in general. Such a great place to go and feel away from it all. I have driven this road in both directions and mapped it as east to west. It can be run in either direction and if your plans allow for it, run it from west to east later in the day. Running from west to east will provide you with the maximum scenery of the Eagletail Wilderness area.

I was not planning on driving this road, but I did end up on it from Waypoint 14 all the way to the end at Waypoint 21. I did not see a soul on a Saturday afternoon. The views were very pretty and I was able to drive the road fairly quickly as there were no washboard or any other difficulties at all impeding my progress. The scenery was spectacular. Glad for the little tip at Waypoint 21 on how to get back to I-10. :)

I started just after sunrise and the temperatures dipped to the high 30s. Beautiful road and area that had to myself on the way in. The way out had more traffic around 10am. Road was washboardy almost the entire way. I would recommend this road for anyone looking for an hour long break from city life.

Gates have been closed, we will keep you aware in the spring when trails start opening up!

Gates have been closed, we will keep you aware in the spring when trails start opening up!

Gates have been closed, we will keep you aware in the spring when trails start opening up!

Gates have been closed, we will keep you aware in the spring when trails start opening up!

Due to the higher elevation status of this trail, it is now considered impassable due to ice and snow.

The fire restriction has been rescinded and terminated. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd835565.pdf Please be responsible and a reminder that fire restrictions are still in place. No fires, fireworks, or anything else that will cause a spark. The Tonto National Forest together with federal, state and local partners will extend Stage 1 Fire Restrictions due insufficient rain and continued dry fuel conditions on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, at 12 a.m. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions were previously set to expire on Oct. 31, 2020, unless rescinded or extended. The purpose of these restrictions is to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and elevated fire weather conditions. This order shall remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2020, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.

The fire closure has been rescinded and terminated. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd835565.pdf Please be responsible and a reminder that fire restrictions are still in place. No fires, fireworks, or anything else that will cause a spark. The Tonto National Forest together with federal, state and local partners will extend Stage 1 Fire Restrictions due insufficient rain and continued dry fuel conditions on Friday, Oct. 30, 2020, at 12 a.m. Stage 1 Fire Restrictions were previously set to expire on Oct. 31, 2020, unless rescinded or extended. The purpose of these restrictions is to reduce the risk of human-caused wildfires during periods of high fire danger and elevated fire weather conditions. This order shall remain in effect until Dec. 31, 2020, or until rescinded, whichever occurs first.

Due to extreme fire danger, the National Forest Service has temporarily closed all National Forest land in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, Boulder, and Larimer counties. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD831612

Due to extreme fire danger, the National Forest Service has temporarily closed all National Forest land in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, Boulder, and Larimer counties. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD831612

Due to extreme fire danger, the National Forest Service has temporarily closed all National Forest land in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, Boulder, and Larimer counties. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD831612

Due to extreme fire danger, the National Forest Service has temporarily closed all National Forest land in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, Boulder, and Larimer counties. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD831612

Due to extreme fire danger, the National Forest Service has temporarily closed all National Forest land in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, Boulder, and Larimer counties. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD831612

Due to extreme fire danger, the National Forest Service has temporarily closed all National Forest land in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, Boulder, and Larimer counties. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD831612

Due to extreme fire danger, the National Forest Service has temporarily closed all National Forest land in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, Boulder, and Larimer counties. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD831612

Due to extreme fire danger, the National Forest Service has temporarily closed all National Forest land in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, Boulder, and Larimer counties. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD831612

Due to extreme fire danger, the National Forest Service has temporarily closed all National Forest land in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, Boulder, and Larimer counties. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD831612

Due to extreme fire danger, the National Forest Service has temporarily closed all National Forest land in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, Boulder, and Larimer counties. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD831612

Due to extreme fire danger, the National Forest Service has temporarily closed all National Forest land in Clear Creek, Jefferson, Gilpin, Boulder, and Larimer counties. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/arp/news-events/?cid=FSEPRD831612

Started early in the morning and had the trail to myself. Always a nice quick diversion close to home.

A portion of this road is in the closed area due to the Sears fire. https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd813381.pdf

This too is a great trail with constant views of the San Rafael Reef, then giving way to the bentonite mud hills near Factory Butte. The trail was grated, make it more like a 2, however, you will still want 4WD for the river crossing - that mud is SLICK!

Great trail! This was my second time running this one. It seemed a little less rough this time vs two years ago. The area changes drastically depending on the clouds, so this time was a bit different in the color grades exhibited in the rocks. Its a beautiful and interesting trail and I would recommend it to anyone!

What a great trail. We really spent sometime this trip exploring every nook and cranny. The trail seemed to be grated this time, but I am sure after a heavy rain this will change drastically. I would recommend this trail and area to anyone!

This trail is a must-do for the view! Seriously, just do it!

Ran this trail for the second time. There is no major change and the rating is dead on. However, this time I ran the trail in both directions and realized the prettiest view is running it from the south to the north which give views of formations off in the distance.

Camping is currently restricted: A closure of all National Forest System lands to camping outside designated, developed campgrounds. Camping outside of developed campgrounds, also called ‘dispersed camping,’ includes the temporary use of National Forest System lands for the purpose of overnight occupancy without a permanently-fixed structure.