22 miles of weathered, pot-holed, washboard dirt road winding along a few different canyons in the Arizona desert. We didn't have as much time to stop and take in the sights along this historic & scenic roadway as it probably deserves. But we did make it all the way to Roosevelt Dam before darkness fell. As a bonus, all my fillings are still in place, despite the sport suspension.

It was an afternoon adventure… one I'll only do again in a rental car.

A few pics at the finish: http://fishbert.imgur.com/apache_trail__oct_2_2010
More photos of the road (not mine): http://www.aaroads.com/guide.php?page=s0088az

Map

 

Nice snaps!! I've really enjoyed the roads less traveled in Maggie and might have to add this one to my list.

Cheers!!

 

If you want more ideas…

Through New Mexico I'd recommend heading out to see the VLA. It's a short bit out of your way just south of Socorro. And while you're in Socorro, stop at the El Camino Restaurant and have some Green Chile Cheese Fries. This is somewhere near the top on the short list of "greatest foods in the world"… you will not be sorry. I introduced this delicacy (at least, it should be) to the girlfriend when we were driving my MINI back home after taking delivery in Denver. We had green chile cheese fries… went to see the VLA… then she insisted that we return and have some more green chili cheese fries before continuing on (and there was no disagreement from me).

In the Tucson area, either head up Mount Lemmon (don't forget to pick up some fudge at the general store, or some lunch at the Cookie Cabin), or head out through Sahuaro National Park (east or west; both are nice). Also in the area, Kartchner Caverns is one of the best looking living caves (as in not all dried out, but still growing) you'll ever see. And a little further down the road, Chiricahua National Monument is a unique sight as well.

In Montana, it's a little out of your way with that route, but I'd highly recommend swinging up to Glacier National Park and hitting Going to the Sun Road. It's closed most of the year due to heavy snow, but in the summer months it is a very beautiful drive. You really shouldn't miss it if you're passing anywhere within a few hundred miles.

 

impressive. I broke an axle on my Toy PU 15 years ago on Fish Creek Hill

 

I have driven a rental car down that road as well! Very scenic indeed. Had the sat radio on the Spa/new age channel, perfect fit.

 

I hit that road over the weekend. I didn't make it to the dam though. I chickened out about five mile into the dirt road. I was afraid it would shake the car apart. The paved part is fun though unless you get stuck behind those people that actually have to hit the brakes when going though the corners.

 

I am incredibly surprised it didn't shake my car apart! There's washboard road and then there's "broken vibrating bed in a cheap motel" washboard road... that trail has plenty of both. With all the dust, I replaced the intake air filter the next day, and I'm probably looking at an alignment in the not too distant future just to be safe.

It was still fun to do, and feels like a nice motoring accomplishment. And next time I'll have to plan more time to stop and take in the sights. But yeah, never again in a car I actually own!

 

Why would you do that drive in a MINI??? It couldn't do anything but harm. Next time get ahold of a 1953 International Travelall. It should be added to your Carfax report so that any future buyer will be warned and ask for at least $5000 off like it was a salvage title.

 

I did see a Jag coming in the other direction. That is what I call crazy!

 

Don't do washboards slow. You don't have to go like a banshee, but just fast enough to stay on top. Drive like steering a boat. Soft lead ins, soft counter steering.
Sucky part is seeing a car going the other way.

 

There are a number of places on that road where you have to go slow because you just can't see around that corner up ahead.

But I was complemented on my pace by some folks in a Jeep who helped pull me out the one time I got stuck (why I have the tow hook attached in the photo ).

 

My own shot along the Apache Trail...

 

oooo, I like those wheels!
gives a certain classic look.

 

If a MINI can do the Aussie Outback east to west, why not the Apache Trail?