Sunday, February 8, 2015

Route 66 Signs

There are a series of signs on Route 66 between Ash Fork and Seligman. This piece of highway is also known as Crookton Rd. These groups of signs also continue after Seligman, although I don't know how far because of I've only gone as far as Fort Rock Rd. All the signs are unique and some are downright funny. I will document more of these as the weeks go on and I take time to stop and take pictures.















Williamson Valley Road


Another trip to Seligman from Prescott taking Williamson Valley Rd. At some point you come to a beautiful ranch on a creek. This is the bridge that crosses the creek.



Here is a view of the creek from the bridge.




Sometime later there is a mine in a bunch of red rock. The picture doesn't do the red justice. Almost like Sedona.







But Alas! We cannot explore too much. The area is restricted. On the other side of the road is an entrance to more red rock area but it too is restricted. Oh well....



There are of course other highlights from this road that cuts across the mountains and forest. But I will save some of that for future posts.

Saturday, January 31, 2015

4WD Required



So I couldn't wait any longer to go back to the under the overpass gateway to adventure referenced in my blog post, "I'll be back"

This first view is on the way to there on Hwy 89 South of Prescott heading to Wilhoit. 







And here we are coming out the other side. It was raining again by this point.







Many beautiful areas along this road. Narrow, very rocky road. High clearance vehicle needed for sure. Several creek crossings.





You get to a point where you can go up this very steep incline. I decided not to. Good thing because at the top there had been a rockslide that completely cut off access. Gorgeous views though.






That's the Hassayampa River down there. Running with recent rainwater.




Rockslide!!!




Many beautiful rock outcroppings along the way.






On the other side of the Highway heading toward Copper Basin Rd. we find this gateway to the forest. Interesting. Maybe for livestock some time ago? It was getting darker.





Rewarded with a most spectacular sunset view on Copper Basin, looking southwest.





And a darker shot. The clouds were doing awesome things for us.





All in all this was an exhilirating discovery of one of Northern Arizona's Backroads. I will definitely come back to these areas. There are some very nice camping areas, next to streams. A couple of times I had to put the Grand Cherokee into 4wd because things got "interesting". I'm happy to report that the 4wd works as intended and we made it out.

Spectacular View!


This is not a backroad. But when you reach the top of the switchbacks on your way up to Jerome from Prescott Valley you are rewarded for your efforts by this spectacular view. You can see the red rocks of Sedona framed by the V. It is absolutely worth the switchbacks to see this.

Friday, January 30, 2015

Red bushes!

On the backroad drive to Seligman from Prescott using Williamson Valley Road all the way you run across several areas that have red bushes. The red dirt gets picked up by passing vehicles and drops back down to create these interesting views.



Northern Arizona backroadNorthern Arizona backroads

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Gorgeous Morning!


This was the scene on the way to work this morning. Willow Lake with the Dells in the background. 

Tuesday, January 27, 2015

I'll be back


This is off the curving road from Prescott to Wilhoit. I pulled off the road for a quick water release.

I didn't have enough time to follow this backroad but I am intrigued. I will be back to explore.