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I had a weekend available to go on a trip and decided to head out to a familiar region but new trails. My first big off roading trip was the El Camino del Diablo in Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, I decided to hit that up but do the Christmas Pass from Tacna and then do the other side of the Tinajas Altas. I then proceeded to the Palm Canyon trailhead in Kofa National Wildlife refuge.
Like last time, I started out later than I expected. On top of that I hit a bunch of city traffic to be expected on an early Friday afternoon. While that’s annoying enough, I felt even more irritated knowing that I was trying to get to some trails and seclusion. After taking the exit off the interstate, I decided to fill up. I had probably 60% of a tank, but figured why limit my adventures due to gas?
Once back on the road, I was glad I researched how to find the road south to where I wanted to go. It would have been easy to get fooled into getting back on the interstate and losing even more time. Fortunately, there was no one else around so my old man lost slow driving didn’t result in any horn honking and bad decisions. I got on the farm road and not too long hit some puddles. I was like “yeah this’ll be fun” and then when I hit the first one had a second of “oh what the fuck did I do” as the water splashed on top of the hood and the tires spun a bit but powered through with no major issues. I decided after that I would move to the sides and not hit the farming runoff full head on. The rest of the trail south was about 45 miles of dirt road, mostly sandy. I drove in sand goat mode and while not necessary kept the ride smother and consistent. Had to slow a few times to minimize gaining too many more Arizona stripes.
I reached the Christmas Pass campsite, struck up a fire and relaxed. Ate some corn beef from a can, drank some beers, took some photos, watched part of Mad Max Furiosa on my computer. The next morning got my coffee made, packed up and ate some donuts as I hit the trail again. I figured I had a few miles to wake up before hitting the tough section and “what the hell”. It was literally right around the bend. It is named Christmas Pass because the dude who cut the stone finished on Christmas day. It’s by no means impossible and the Bronco sport in Rock Crawl easily handled it. I never sleep well the first night of camping and was not mentally prepared. There was another secluded campsite on the other side that would be a sweet spot if I were to do the trail again before it got dark. It was another 6 or so miles before I connected with the El Camino del Diablo at Thule Well.
I stopped to explore, take some photos and most importantly get my morning pop a squat out. Glad I brought a trenching tool. Hiting the trial again and was reminded how much I love this section of road. So scenic and calming with easy, sandy road to drive. Once I got to the Tinajas Altas, there were two passes to choose from. One was rated as a 5/10, the other as a 3/10. I really wanted the tough route but being on my own, decided to take the easier one. I was mentally chatting with myself, saying I made the right choice “and what the fu…oh yes!”. As I was coming up around a bend there was a desert big horn sheep in the road and he quickly ran up the mountain. I jumped out, keeping the BS in between me and him to snap some photos. That totally made the easy trial choice worth it.
I continued on, following OnX mapped roads, though there was some other trails, I was not certain where they would lead. The road got gradually more washboard. I stopped because a jeep was pulled over and we chatted about routes. He said where I was going was bumpy, but I didn’t want to turn around. It got significantly bumpier and then quite rocky. This section also had a bunch of OHV tour groups, about 20 total vehicles between the two groups with one of them grinding their wheels on my paint job. It was a Saturday and the loop they were doing was a fun one, but I was pissed at the damage.
I soldiered on and if you want to feel secluded and solid in knowing you are off roading the road got very lightly traveled. For parts, it was a dried wash that was nothing but rocks that I would be hesitant to drive after a heavy rain. I was hungry and wanted food so I was a bit impatient but must sing the praises of the BS here. While I wouldn’t rush out to do this section again, it is a great spot to be on your own, and having the BS easily handle roads most people wouldn’t drive on. I also got a compliment for an older jeep driver saying my ride was sweeter than his.
Continuing north, I finally hit the foothills and then went to the highway to drive east to Wellston and the Hightanks Brewery for some date flavored beer and peperoni pizza. Took me 5 hours from Christmas pass to finish my route to reach pavement. After eating I drove up to Palm Canyon trailhead in Kofa for some hiking and camping. Had another campfire, more beers, finished Furiosa, then woke up and had a long coffee break enjoying the sunrise. I did 100 miles of trials. A lot of sandy roads but a good deal of lava and river rocks. Probably close to 7 hours total of off-roading. Happy to share route details if people are considering it.
If you are in the area and looking for a fun but not overly challenging off road trip, I would highly recommend this area. You can easily spend 3 days between the main roads and spur trails exploring. Just remember to register and check in with both Cabeza Prieta and the Barry Goldwater Range.
Like last time, I started out later than I expected. On top of that I hit a bunch of city traffic to be expected on an early Friday afternoon. While that’s annoying enough, I felt even more irritated knowing that I was trying to get to some trails and seclusion. After taking the exit off the interstate, I decided to fill up. I had probably 60% of a tank, but figured why limit my adventures due to gas?
Once back on the road, I was glad I researched how to find the road south to where I wanted to go. It would have been easy to get fooled into getting back on the interstate and losing even more time. Fortunately, there was no one else around so my old man lost slow driving didn’t result in any horn honking and bad decisions. I got on the farm road and not too long hit some puddles. I was like “yeah this’ll be fun” and then when I hit the first one had a second of “oh what the fuck did I do” as the water splashed on top of the hood and the tires spun a bit but powered through with no major issues. I decided after that I would move to the sides and not hit the farming runoff full head on. The rest of the trail south was about 45 miles of dirt road, mostly sandy. I drove in sand goat mode and while not necessary kept the ride smother and consistent. Had to slow a few times to minimize gaining too many more Arizona stripes.
I reached the Christmas Pass campsite, struck up a fire and relaxed. Ate some corn beef from a can, drank some beers, took some photos, watched part of Mad Max Furiosa on my computer. The next morning got my coffee made, packed up and ate some donuts as I hit the trail again. I figured I had a few miles to wake up before hitting the tough section and “what the hell”. It was literally right around the bend. It is named Christmas Pass because the dude who cut the stone finished on Christmas day. It’s by no means impossible and the Bronco sport in Rock Crawl easily handled it. I never sleep well the first night of camping and was not mentally prepared. There was another secluded campsite on the other side that would be a sweet spot if I were to do the trail again before it got dark. It was another 6 or so miles before I connected with the El Camino del Diablo at Thule Well.
I stopped to explore, take some photos and most importantly get my morning pop a squat out. Glad I brought a trenching tool. Hiting the trial again and was reminded how much I love this section of road. So scenic and calming with easy, sandy road to drive. Once I got to the Tinajas Altas, there were two passes to choose from. One was rated as a 5/10, the other as a 3/10. I really wanted the tough route but being on my own, decided to take the easier one. I was mentally chatting with myself, saying I made the right choice “and what the fu…oh yes!”. As I was coming up around a bend there was a desert big horn sheep in the road and he quickly ran up the mountain. I jumped out, keeping the BS in between me and him to snap some photos. That totally made the easy trial choice worth it.
I continued on, following OnX mapped roads, though there was some other trails, I was not certain where they would lead. The road got gradually more washboard. I stopped because a jeep was pulled over and we chatted about routes. He said where I was going was bumpy, but I didn’t want to turn around. It got significantly bumpier and then quite rocky. This section also had a bunch of OHV tour groups, about 20 total vehicles between the two groups with one of them grinding their wheels on my paint job. It was a Saturday and the loop they were doing was a fun one, but I was pissed at the damage.
I soldiered on and if you want to feel secluded and solid in knowing you are off roading the road got very lightly traveled. For parts, it was a dried wash that was nothing but rocks that I would be hesitant to drive after a heavy rain. I was hungry and wanted food so I was a bit impatient but must sing the praises of the BS here. While I wouldn’t rush out to do this section again, it is a great spot to be on your own, and having the BS easily handle roads most people wouldn’t drive on. I also got a compliment for an older jeep driver saying my ride was sweeter than his.
Continuing north, I finally hit the foothills and then went to the highway to drive east to Wellston and the Hightanks Brewery for some date flavored beer and peperoni pizza. Took me 5 hours from Christmas pass to finish my route to reach pavement. After eating I drove up to Palm Canyon trailhead in Kofa for some hiking and camping. Had another campfire, more beers, finished Furiosa, then woke up and had a long coffee break enjoying the sunrise. I did 100 miles of trials. A lot of sandy roads but a good deal of lava and river rocks. Probably close to 7 hours total of off-roading. Happy to share route details if people are considering it.
If you are in the area and looking for a fun but not overly challenging off road trip, I would highly recommend this area. You can easily spend 3 days between the main roads and spur trails exploring. Just remember to register and check in with both Cabeza Prieta and the Barry Goldwater Range.
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