Video of the Toroweap/Tuweep segment on my recent trip is now finished. It includes the photos from my FB page, as well as some video segments and music ...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1-yoPi-v5YM Don't understand why there's no thumbnail (even on my YouTube video manager page), but it does run fine.

 

Great pics - trip looked like it was alot of fun -

 

Great photos and video Mark. You wouldn't happen to have a map outlining your trip, would you?

 

Well, sort of. Let me describe where you can find info about key parts of the trip ...

You can access Toroweap/Tuweep by three different routes. We took the Mt. Trumbull Road, which starts about seven miles west of Fredonia, AZ. You can learn more about this route, including a map, here ...

summitpost.org/grand-canyon-national-park/151112#chapter_6

FYI, Toroweap is not on the Grand Canyon National Park map that National Geographic puts out. I expect it's on their map of the western reaches of the park, but have never personally verified it. Route finding with the crude map at the link above is easy.

We then headed for Flagstaff and took Schnebly Hill Road into Sedona the next day. If you stop, you'll need a Red Rock Pass or some other form of pass (both Ray and I are disabled vets, him a lot, me barely, so we have lifetime passes). Schnebly Hill begins/ends on I-17 at exit 320. Head west on the short paved road, then make an immediate left (south) turn. You're on it; follow it to the end (several off-shoots are obvious and easily avoided). I first learned about this trail at the Oak Creek Canyon visitor center, and drove it from the bottom (the town). But, driving it in the early a.m. for first arrival into Sedona is quite dramatic--the sun is wonderfully positioned for great photos. Wells' AZ Backroads and 4WD Drive Trails book has this trail (also Toroweap), but you really don't need the book to do the trail.

Then we headed to Soldier's Pass in Sedona. You need a Red Rocks Pass here, too. We used the info in Well's book to get there and follow this short, but difficult-rated trail. It really isn't that difficult--easy for a stock Jeep, in fact. Difficult for a an 8" lifted pick-up truck on 40s that's rarely taken off road. LOL.

Backway to Mt. Lemmon we used the Wells' book again. It's accessed off American Avenue in Oracle (just past mile marker 100). I recommend you carry the book for this one--there are a couple Y's in the road that having the book will guide you the right way.

Next we took Ajo Way out of Tucson all of the way to Ajo, then continued up Hwy 85 to Gila Bend. This is all paved road, but it's quite remote with great views of the Sonoran Desert. Give lots of time, Kitt Peak U.S. Naval Observatory and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument are nearby.

Finally, one that isn't really hinted at here, but is a hoot to drive every time I go to my folks house south of San Diego: After driving I-8 past Ocotillo and over the Jacumba Mountains, exit at the very top at In-Koh-Pah (same exit as for Desert View Tower). FYI, there is a difficult-rated trail right at this exit that takes you to within 1/4 mile of the Mexican Boarder; we didn't drive it because we were running out of time. Instead we headed east on Old U.S. Highway 80. At Campo, stay to the right onto El Campo Road/Hwy 94. Stay on 94 past Dulzura and the Border Patrol checkpoint. Then, take Otay Lakes Road to the left (west). Take Otay Lakes Road all the way into Chula Vista, where it will become Telegraph Canyon Road (and become quite busy and suburban). This is a great little drive. I used to drive it when I went to college way back when just off Telegraph Canyon Road. If I had a two-hour break between classes, I could just make it to Tecate, MX, have a beer (yes, THAT Tecate!), and make it back to class. And the speed limit on this road is 55 MPH. Good luck maintaining it. It's a winding, two-lane road that is full of little surprises. It's an absolute joy to drive. The only negative is there are folks who drive it daily, and they are very, very quick. You probably won't want to keep up with them because they know which way the turns are and you don't. Anyway, no off-roading here (unless you want a visit from the Border Patrol, LOL), but a great drive in pretty eastern San Diego County. A much better way to go to my folk's house, since they live just a short block off the general direction of this road (Telegraph Canyon Road eventually becomes L Street, and they live right off L).

Anyway hope the above helps.

 

Awesome, thanks Mark! Happily some of this is stuff I've done (such as Sedona) so it won't be too much info for me to handle. Looking to do a first multi-day trip and I figured doing one in my home state would be a great way to start.

 

Arizona is certainly a great state in which to plan something like this. Plenty of incredible scenery of amazing variety, 4WD trails and open country for camping. I envy you.

 

I live there. Do you envy me? Lol

 

Great pics and video, thanks for sharing. I love the pic of the tree at 5:04. What are you shooting?

 

That particular image was shot with a Canon 7D, 24-105mm, f/4 L-series lens at 105mm. ISO 200. F/7.1. 1/1600 sec. Hope that helps.

That lens, BTW, is the best walk-around lens I've ever used for daylight outdoor shots. I use the 24-70 f/2.8 for twilight, night and indoor shots.

 

And, finally, a video segment for the latter part of our trip. This one includes Schnebly Hill Road and Soldier Pass in Sedona, Backway up Mt Lemmon near Tucson, a paved road drive from Tucson to Gila Bend via Ajo, and a short bit on the backway along the Mexican border to my folk's home in Chula Vista. This is actually one of three segments, but the other one is not Jeep-related (it's about our photo caravan safari in the back of a truck into the San Diego Zoo Safari Park).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BvleHUiGX5g