Arizona Great Western Trail, Trip (Expedition) (1 Viewer)

[redmuttonchops]

Alright here we go, The dates are set (September 2-8, 2010). Myself and Skyehunter have laid out the dates for our first trip worthy of the term Expedition (well maybe worthy). Let this be the beginning of documenting the trip....

We sketched out a rough plan to begin in North Phoenix, AZ (near Carefree). We will jump on the Great Western Trail and utilize as much of the trail to get to the Grand Canyon for our halfway point. We will then take the western desert back south for our return. We are equiped with GPS and Laptop Topo technology for our routing.

Vehicles:

1989 Toyota Mini
Toytec lift, 31" tires

1989 Toyota Landcruiser
Mohave 4" Lift, 31" tires

A Maybe:
1998 Toyota Taco
Toytec Adj. Lift, 31" Tires
Rear locker Locker

As you can see, we not looking for a rockcrawling event, just some nice enjoyable wheeling.

I am updating the list that I have been using for our shorter trips taken over the years.

Feel free to share your experiences that may make the trip more enjoyable. I will post pics, as we go.

 

[redmuttonchops]

this page will have more to follow

 

[re_guderian]

What is your tolerance for detours, re-routes, private property, and erroneous maps? I haven't done the Great Western Trail, but 7 years ago attempted a south-to-north crossing of AZ on only dirt roads and 4WD trails. In 5 days, I made it from Naco to just east of Young. My biggest "ah-ha" on the parts that I hadn't previously scouted was that roads that appear on a map are not always so in real life. And I didn't have a GPS at the time. (I'm pretty good with a compass though). And enclaves of private property within National Forests sometimes have gated FS roads that lead to them. However, if you've either scouted your route ahead of time, or have no aversion (and sufficient gas) to backtrack and reroute, it sounds like a blast!

edit: on the equipment side, 2 spare tires is a must, and start with ones in decent shape if it's going to be a few days between access to a tire shop. I had 4 flats in 5 days.

 

[redmuttonchops]

as far as gas we are gonna carry at least two jerry cans a piece in case of any back tracks, we have only done about 1/3 of this trail on diffrent occasions and times, and only a piece here and there, frankly this is gonna be head more or less due north and see where it takes us. from what i gather this GWT is for teh most part well traveled.. some areas are an easy 2wd but its a "who knows" kinda of adventure...yeah it should be fun...of course any one that wants to tag along for a week is more than welcome to join in. but yet we still have more planning and check lists to go

 

[murf]

I was just at the top of Four Peaks at the Pigeon trail head and was showing my family the Great Western Trail sign thats up there.

 

[azTony]

Never been there but sounds like fun!

 

[redmuttonchops]

yeah, it should be fun. just figuer that we take our time not rush anything, try not to see who drive the most miles in a day, probally stop off do some fishin. maybe a lil bird hunting. just try and enjoy as much of AZ as possible without. too many distraction

 

[lvanst]

Sounds fun!

Great Western Trail

 

[redmuttonchops]

say Murf i understand you work at Toyota on camelback and 16th ave ..............i dont suppose you would have any way to find me a VSV for my 62
;"Toyota P/N 88690-89132
Part Name: Valve Assy, Magnet"
im trying to find a cheap replacement for my 4wd solenoid and after serching mud they were saying this is teh best and cheapest fix .....with justa lil mod. if so please let me now

 

[murf]

say Murf i understand you work at Toyota on camelback and 16th street. i dont suppose you would have any way to find me a VSV for my 62
;"Toyota P/N 88690-89132
Part Name: Valve Assy, Magnet"
im trying to find a cheap replacement for my 4wd solenoid and after serching mud they were saying this is teh best and cheapest fix .....with justa lil mod. if so please let me now

Yes, we have it in stock, $17.10 + tax.

 

[redmuttonchops]

thx murf youll be hearing from me soon

 

[skyehunter]

...Well Muttin and I did some of our PM this weekend. I got the Blackberry hooked up to the Notebook (GPS). Hopefully will have reception on trail and can post some pics while Muttin scares the local wildlife away with his snoring. Also rebuilt my drawer storage system to convert into a flatbed to sleep on.

Put 33's" and shackles on the Mini.

Looks like the Taco may make it for the first three days.

Muttin is having overheating problems and is getting the radiator replaced as I type.

Official first two days:
Dates have been changed: September 4-10ish.
Day one travel from Carefree/Pima to Dugas somewhere just east of I17 near water crossing
Day two Dugas to Perkinsville, Stop in Jerome for lunch.

Feel free to join if your on trail in the area.....

 

[RHINO]

ive done most of it, you guys will have fun.

 

[redmuttonchops]

well got my NEW CFS radiator and even had a new Tranny cooler added, she still runs pretty warm but she is running better and right now i should be all ready to go. and skye carefull or youll find a toad humping your chest in the middle of the night, maybe he mistook it as a real frog and not just a tattoo.lol

 

[redmuttonchops]

One Week And Counting

well have a week till we head out. been a busy day running all over town grabbing last min supplies a lube job and finally fixing the skipping on my wipers( just in time before the storm hit). truck is as ready as i can get make her. how ever do any of yall recomend a good yet affordiable tint shop in town... i might try and have that done on mon since i have the day off

 

[azTony]

That is so tempting to join you especially since it is during dove season. It is hard to take vacation when family lives out of state and you only get 2 weeks a year and the company shuts down for one week during Xmas... but I wanna go.

 

[redmuttonchops]

well yall are more than welcome, i know its some what short notice. besides this is just our first expedition trip so this is just gonna be a get our feet wet kinda thing i know skyehunter is gonna do alot of dove hunting he is gonna test out his new barris bead dot(i think that what it is....alot like a red dot sight ) and put his lab to work some while were out. however we are gonna do this pretty anually as far as planning a big week long trip or so......chances are we wont do GWT next year .....but well definitly post up anything that we might have planned

 

[mikgrail3]

We drove part of this trail last weekend. Heading home from camping on Mingus we took the trail down into Cherry. What an awesome drive, very scenic. I was towing my BT3-C loaded with camping gear and it followed like a champ. Last year we went through Perkinsville from Jerome to White Horse Campground. Towing again but with our 2wd Sequoia. I hope you all have fun, sounds like a great adventure.

 

[redmuttonchops]

Ok ... rig is all loaded up, Eliza(my dog) has taken her position as seat wamer and the official pine cone collecter. hopefully we have enough gear for a week long expedition. and after a full year of debating and planning we are finally ready to head out on our GWT excursion.. if at allpossible well get plenty of photos and enough info to share with yall at the next CSC meeting. wish us luck and pleasent weather cuz well need it. ciao

 

[murf]

Good luck, be safe, and have a great time.

Looking forward to the travellog when you get back.