August ROTM: Smiley Rock 8/26/17

[ftbshop]

I'll be leading a group down Smiley Rock trail for this month's run.
For those of you who don't know about this trail, it is a scenic and moderately challenging run outside of Prescott. Link to a description of the trail on AZFJ forums: AZFJ › Forums › Reviews › Arizona Trail Reviews › Smiley Rock (Jerome Area) - 3.0

I would recommend at a minimum rocker protection for stock height vehicles. Trail is tight and rocky at times. I last ran this in my old 4Runner with a lift on 33's and, while I made it without damage, was wishing for sliders.

Plan is to meet in the Food City parking lot in Cottonwood at 9am Saturday. From there, we will convoy to the start of the trail in Jerome. Lunch will be on the trail.

This will be an all day trip if coming from Phoenix. I'm sure that there are camping opportunities for those so inclined.

Some photos are attached from when I was last there:

 

[Clunky]

Maybe a Prescott local like @tls3601 could point us toward some good camping spots

 

[Saddletramp]

Maybe a Prescott local like @tls3601 could point us toward some good camping spots

Might be nice enough for camping near Mingus Mountain. Elevation is over 7000' and some good areas on the south side

 

[Kruiser Kat]

Sounds good, will be our first trail with CSCs. We live near Prescott, so this'll be great.

 

[Abigail]

Maybe by then my sliders I ordered in April will have arrived...

 

[Chrismanjs]

The one weekend this month I have other plans! Have a great trip!

 

[fj804iii]

Gotta work that Saturday fml

 

[JackA]

There are alot of nice camp spots up top after the trail. It's 7000 plus feet so it's pretty cool as well.
Ran this last year with my 45lv and motored right thru with no issues.

 

[tls3601]

Might be up for camping. Too much into the 40 to run this one. If I remember correctly the trail starts outside of Jerome off FR318 I think? Been up there a few years back in my budds Jeep. Some lift and rocksliders with good underbelly protection is a good idea on this one. Some great camping up on top of Mingus but those sites get snatched quick. I know of some areas to primitive camp, FR418 I believe up on Mingus.

 

[tls3601]

Trail is a slow going adventure, plan on several hours. An automatic would be advisable over a manual shift as well.

 

[Dissent]

I'm in for this one, I have sliders and a 2.5" lift with 33"s, no underbelly protection though. Are there any bypass areas should things get impacty, bendy or denty?

 

[Cactuscrzr]

I've wanted to do this trail for a while and I'm booked. Have fun without me.

 

[Pitch]

I'm in for this one, I have sliders and a 2.5" lift with 33"s, no underbelly protection though. Are there any bypass areas should things get impacty, bendy or denty?

You should be fine. I have run my Cruiser through solo set up like that without issue, but that was 3 yrs ago.

Great trail choice BTW!

 

[brices123]

Would it be plausible to try this trail while towing our expedition trailer or is that a no-go?

 

[Dissent]

Thanks, it's a solid setup. Looking forward to trying out that new hitch, it's getting powder coated right now. 3" more ground clearance!!

 

[Pitch]

I would not recommend this for a trailer unless it is tall. Lockers not needed, but for reference, a Tacoma lifted 2" on 31" tires was able to carefully pick it's way through with careful spotting, and my Cruiser dragged control arms, but not rockers. A trailer could get through, but for a day trip... Way more trouble than it is worth.

 

[tls3601]

Yes agree-I would not pull a trailer thru this one

 

[Living in the Past]

Posted in the wrong thread. Meant Casner Mountain run. With no lift and only 31s would be afraid my rockers would get beat up.

 

[tls3601]

If I remember correctly the trail begins with a L hand turn off 318 heading out of Jerome..........leaving Jerome on Perkinsville road

 

[JackA]

I ran this last year and cruised thru in no time and no issues with clearance on a stock height FJ45LV on 33's. I am running it again this weekend. I will report back after the run.