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.

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

Gorgeous Morning!

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

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. 

Blowout!

Yup. With the family. On the backroad from Prescott to Phoenix. Somewhere around Bumblebee. Gorgeous ride though. Tire changed without any further issues.

This was good timing. Better here than on the freeway. Plus, it helped me see that these tires are not in as good condition as I thought. Time for some all terrain tires!

Side note: The narrator in the video is my daughter. Not a big outdoor enthusiast. She will now use this event against me every time we decide to leave pavement. 😯

“Louie, I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship.”

Well, my Grand Cherokee is not named Louie. But the sentiment is the same. We will be on many a Northern Arizona Backroad together.

Speaking of names; I need to christen this thing. This has the potential of being as exciting as naming a child.