Calif Mudder needs help locating trails around Payson mid May '

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John McVicker

John McVicker

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I've been given the task of selecting some trails. I will be stopping off at 4plus to have his sliders installed on a Monday, then heading to Morman Lake for the Overland Expo on Friday May 15th. Dave suggested the Payson area, so that's where we will go. Looking for some moderate to moderately difficult trails on Tue Wed and Thurs. Maybe moving on towards Morman Lake, Wed or Thur.

Camping out, 3 guys, no kids, no spouses and 3 fairly capable rigs: my 60, a brand new Taco and a early Bronco. All amored but no lockers...although some of the trails over here in the Eastern Sierra we wish we did. Someday, but not this trip.

Your suggestions will help us a lot...where do we go, where to exit the pavement and locate the trail., etc. I will download the area on my iPad using Motion X, but suggestions on which hard maps to use would be xtra helpful.

Btw, if anyone wants to join us you will be more than welcome...for the trail and/or camping out. And if any of you guys get over to the Eastern Sierra...Lone Pine to Bridgeport in the Owens Valley, we'd be happy to help you guys. Our Club is the Eastern Sierra 4wd Club. es4wdclub

Thanks, John
 
Lots of fantastic campsites can be found along FR 300 just north of Payson. You can camp on the edge of the Mogollon Rim with views south to Payson. Pyeatt Draw is one of the premiere trails in the Payson area. I no longer have a rig capable of that kind of trail, but it is serious. I believe the well photographed final waterfall challenge can be avoided via bypasses/bowing out of the trail. Google it and you should find plenty of trail beta. Lots of stuff in the Sedona area too, not very far away.
 
Pitch,

Super, just the type of info we are looking for...location, difficulty, etc. how would you rate Pyeatt, moderate or more towards moderately difficult? Sounds great, but w/o knowing the lay of the land, we don't want to bite off more than we can chew, no lockers and all that...what do you think ??

John
 
The good thing about pytte is that everything is optional. You won't be doing any of the serious stuff without lockers but there's plenty to play on.

There's not much wheeling on the rim but easily a weeks worth of camping and exploring.
 
Try searching for rim country four wheelers. A lot of the trails in that area are fairly secret. They might be willing to point you to some trails that aren't well known if you agree to keep it quiet.
 
Schnebly Hill trail by Sedona is very scenic and can be done unlocked - probably better going down than up, as it has been rocky lately
 
Try this: image.webpimage.webp
 
Also, Scout Cave if you're interested in exploring: https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/trip-report-payson-scout-cave-feb10-2013.698158/

The route goes to the fire watchtower one direction and to the cave in the other - not too many places to get turned around, and while it's slow-going, it's not 'difficult'. You could probably camp around there fairly easily, too. Maybe at Bear Canyon Lake or Chevelon Lake: https://forum.ih8mud.com/threads/bear-canyon-lk-chevelon-lk-7-4-2012.604785/

May will be upon us soon!
 
Sorry I didnt get back yesterday...was away from the computer. This is great, after I look this stuff over i will get back to you ...most likely with a bunch of questions. Going to be fun just readng all this.

Thanks !
John
 
This Pyeatt Trail sounds just like what we are looking for...but...reading the description of the trail posted by Pitch (thanks), it looks and sounds like breakage is LIKELY and not just possible. BrotherRob and others that have done this trail...what do you think ?

And Pitch, do you know how I might get ahold of that booklet ? The one that describes Pyeatt.

Thanks, John

EDIT: never mind on the vehicle damage worry, reread the description and see there is a bypass on the killer part.
 
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The place is rough on drive shafts and rear LCAs. The trail is a riverbed with an access road that intersects at several points. You can bypass as needed. Without lockers, you'll miss a lot of the fun.
 
The book lists the forest road as part of the trail. The portion in the wash is only about a mile long. I've only taken the forest road to the east once. It's not well maintained and gets a bit tight and hairy in places but we managed to get a stock Taco thru.
 
John, the book is "Guide to Arizona Backroads and 4 Wheel Drive Trails" 2nd edition, by Charles Wells.
 
Thanks Pitch. I'm on it !

John
 
Getting ready for our trip. Purchased the Az book by Charles Wells that Pitch suggested. We are going to do Pyeatt on Tuesday, 5/12. Looking to camp & trail our way over to Morman Lake, going from Pyeatt to Sedona area, then over to Mormon Lake area for the Overland Expo that starts on 5/15.

Your Copper State Cruiser Club seems full of good folks and we appreciate all your advice. If any of you wish to join us on the trails, including Pyeatt or in Sedona just contact me...your are more than welcome.

And if you have any more thoughts/suggestions, shoot them my way.

John
 
I will be leaving AZ again 5/10, but up for something before that date
 
DSRTRDR, would be great to have you along,but the dates don't work out.

I will arrive at 4plus late pm Sun 5/10. Monday morning he will install sliders on my 60. When he's finished, I will drive to Payson to meet up with my 2 buddies, camp Monday night and do Pyeatt on Tue 5/12. From there we will wheel & camp over to Mormon Lake via Sedona etc.

Am hoping we can find Forest roads or similar for our camps on the way. My buddy checking that out says he has found some 'campgrounds', but they are way expensive. Don't know, maybe they are private campgrounds, do you think we should be able to find some areas that we can just pull off and camp in/around Sedona ?

And if your dates change, please let me know, like I say, it would be great to wheel with you. Anyone else ??

Thanks, John
 
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