Recent News. While in AZ, I had planned to take on the Mt. BikeReg - online cycling event registration. We saw some early snow on the mountain, Lisa, but not until a few days after driving up it! The rally. The Swift Trail Scenic Drive is a wonderful excursion for RV travelers who find themselves in eastern Arizona. Frye Mesa Reservoir is much closer to Safford, AZ than the top of Mount Graham. Graham Hill Climb Special! Powered by WordPress. The Pinaleno Range and Mt. moderate (10) Length: 69.2 mi. That looks like a great place, but your foil dinner looks even better! We heaved an enormous sigh of relief and reveled in the thrill of being able to enjoy an endless stream of days with no agenda and no need to hustle down the road to our next destination. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); The view from the top was hazy and brown as we looked out over ripples of lower mountainsides. Or check out the most ghetto cities and the most dangerous cities in Washington. Enrollment in the 2021 Truck Camper Adventure Rally is now open. It was about 22 miles from Route 191 to our campsite. Riggs Lake, a regular fishing spot on Mount Graham. Beautiful Mount Graham Views, just off a paved road, with newer construction going on in the area. Graham and the Swift Trail Scenic Drive: Other blog posts from our RV travels featuring eastern Arizona and/or other scenic drives in the state: (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); You may be wondering where the Treasure Park name came from. The place sounded great, but I kept putting it off because the trip to Mount Graham is four hours long for us, twice as far as it is to the Mogollon Rim where we do most of our summer camping. Our campsite in the Treasure Park camping area was pretty amazing. It's about 10 miles on a rough, dirt road on Forest Road 103 and it takes about 45 minutes to get to the top. He's been RV'ing since 2002, is a certified RVIA Level 1 RV Technician, and has restored several Airstream travel trailers. We would like to show you a description here but the site won’t allow us. Never miss a post -- it's free! We didn’t see any bears or racoons during our stay, but we did see plenty of deer and squirrels, including the endangered Mount Graham Red Squirrel. Because of these extremely sharp turns vehicles longer than 40 feet are prohibited. 186 Shares. A communications expert, he retired from the U.S. Navy in 2004 as a CWO3 after 24 years, worked in project management, and now runs Truck Camper Adventure full-time. November 2015 – After a whirlwind nine month trip around the country in our RV this season, we left New Mexico‘s City of Rocks behind and crossed the border into Arizona. After 11.5 miles, you’ll reach the Arcadia Campground at 6,700' (see below). Mt. We appreciate your positive feedback, Jon. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 3°C on Thu night, min -3°C on Wed night). Share 186. The following is quoted from an historical plaque posted within the park: “Treasure Park is so-called because of stories of buried treasure. We could work there!!! Mike, how many miles on 191 to the campsite? Mount Graham Weather (Days 0-3): Mostly dry. Golden yellow and brilliant orange leaves filled the trees, and we stopped to get out and savor the crisp autumn air. Register For a Race. Soon we were on the road. Get Outfitted: Overland Essentials For Truck Camper Rigs, Boondocking: Safest Way to RV Amid Virus Outbreak, Taking the CAT Scale Truck Camper Challenge, The Camper Shell is a Great Lightweight Alternative, Top 9 All-Terrain Tires For Truck Camper Rigs, For Sale: 2019 Host Mammoth – 2019 Ford F550 ($170,000), KingStar’s Hitch Pack is a Clever Truck Camper Storage Solution. Fun times dropping down the first two trails, Shake Spring and Goudy Ridge, but Ash Creek was a whole different animal. Graham, Roper Lake State Park, and the scenic drive is easy to do in your tow vehicle or toad! Finding a Fifth Wheel Trailer or Toy Hauler to be a Full-time Home! Q13 FOX is Seattle and Western Washington's source for breaking news, weather, traffic and sports. Graham bicycle race to the top, but a surgeon had other plans for me. Graham, located on the Coronado National Forest, Safford Ranger District, will be adjusted to include just the high-severity burned areas resulting from the Frye Fire.A number of recreation sites will open, as well, while others remain closed for public safety purposes. I have to say, I was pretty impressed. St. Helens, Mt. Climbing higher still, we passed out of the last of fall’s peak and into a colder zone where the colors had already come and gone. There are quite a few small campgrounds on this stunning road up Mt. Get it with Truck Camper Adventure's weekly newsletter. Not everyone will appreciate the curves. Swift Trail Scenic Drive starts in the desert valley and climbs Mt. It also shows exit numbers, mileage between exits, points of interest and more. After planning this trip for a [read more], This weekend we drove the Wolf Creek 850 truck camper south to take-in the fantastic sights of Tucson, Arizona. If you cannot find what you are looking for, please either fill out the online comment form or call us at (520)388-8300. Graham Soon the landscape began to change, and hardwood trees in the peak of autumn color began to appear. Seligman, Arizona – Birthplace of Route 66! I was also surprised to find a fresh water spigot near the entrance to the Treasure Park primitive camping area. The Washington State highway map includes more than highways. During the nights, the Milky Way showered stars over our rig. Graham to dense forest and cool temps compared to the valley. . Turn right onto the paved AZ-366, the Swift Trail Parkway, and start driving up the mountain. Nathan, and his wife Jessica, parked their Buick Aztek and attached tent nearby. We have stayed at Roper Lake early in the spring and done a drive up the mountain and a hike through the remaining snow. From Safford, drive 7.5 miles south on US-191. Mike--good article.....I have had great luck by going to a local trophy shop in San Diego.....They make labels for all…, I don’t have awnings attached to my 96 Bigfoot 3000 because they provide very little shade, they block the view…, MAJOR UPDATE FOR WINTER EXPLORES DOLLY SODS! We cover all types of truck campers here at Truck Camper Adventure. Adams and Mt. Yep, though the thin air at 9,300 ft takes getting use to. What a place to become immersed in the colors of fall for a few days! This recreation area is the home of the Coronado's most extensive mountain range, the Pinaleños, and topped by the highest peak in southern Arizona, 10,720 foot Mt. Lemmon Road Conditions Managed by Pima County (520) 547-7510. Around 1909, the forest supervisor, T. T. Swift, discovered three colored granite stones at Treasure Park. ... White Pass Scenic Byway Known as the gateway to recreation in the Central Cascades, the natural and pristine White Pass Scenic Byway winds through the forests of Mt. If you wish to see the details for this event click, "Continue" below. Graham Me on the forbidden place ... parking off the main road, hidden by some lovely shade trees. We’re Alive and Well and Camping in Arizona! --Emily & Mark Fagan, traveling full-time by RV and sailboat since 2007. At first we parked our camper next to a couple of pine trees but we decided to move the next morning at the edge of the meadow so our rooftop solar panels had a better view of the sun. Located in Southeastern Arizona, Mount Graham is rugged and heavily forested with its tallest peak reaching 10,720 ft. Next time we visit we’ll come with an empty fresh water tank to reduce weight and save on fuel. As we drove higher, we began to see some fall color. Please contact us at, Interview with International Explorer, Steve Blackman, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGDp1-Xr2q4, New Truck Camper Label Plates for the TCA Rig, Twin Recliner in Host’s New Yukon Camper a Big Hit, For Sale: 2007 Lance 1055 – 2004 Ford F350 ($40,000), Review of the Renogy DC50s Combi Battery Charger, Truck Camper Adventure Caravan Tackles Bradshaw Trail, 2021 Truck Camper Adventure Rally Enrollment Now Open. Mt. As we drove down, we passed back through the vivid colors. Your email address will not be published. This campground was utterly charming, with paved loops and not a soul around but the campground host. For months my sons, who have been attending Eastern Arizona College, have been telling me what an incredible place Mount Graham is for camping and fishing. This is a past event. Mello Mike is an Arizona native, author, and the founder of Truck Camper Adventure. Michel and Sabina Robitaille of Ontario, Canada are making that popular dream a reality. Just look for the signs. And then we reached the highest summit of the road where the view stretched out across the rolling brown mountains to the valleys far below. Although we didn't fish, we are told there is plenty of rainbow trout in the reservoir, stocked courtesy of AZ Game & Fish. The Swift Trail Scenic Drive heads up off the desert floor to the top of Mt. Yet, here we had finally caught up with autumn and found fall aglow in all her splendor right in Arizona. Legend has it that in the 1850’s, a large quantity of gold and silver was stolen from mines in Mexico by bandits. The wildflowers there in the spring would be just gorgeous…, We love staying at Roper Lake, too. At about 9,000 feet the surface of the Swift Trail turns to dirt and gravel. We had come full circle and arrived back at our winter roosting grounds. Motorists take the scenic road called the Swift Trail as it climbs from 3,000 feet to over 9,000 feet on this winding road. Winds increasing (light winds from the WSW on Thu night, near gales from the WNW by Sat morning). The distance to the lake is approximately 12 miles once the road turns to gravel. A jeep track starts somewhere in here and wriggles up to the main aforementioned road, from where I would then hike to the top. We'd love to see your photos. Graham, and we stopped to look around Arcadia Campground. Brooke Curley Eastern Arizona Courier Fishing can be a relaxing time for individuals willing to make the trek up Mt. Mount Graham Highpoint: Pinaleño Mountains Highpoint: Graham County. Graham – Autumn Color in Arizona. If you like road-results.com, you should use BikeReg.com. That drive is beautiful any time of the year! Williams, Arizona – Home of the Grand Canyon Railway! The trail is primarily used for hiking, walking, nature trips, and bird watching and is accessible year-round. Take off to the mountain, one of the two state parks with fishing lakes. You can go up part of the way to the telescope on US forest land; about 11 miles of the road from Safford, AZ is paved and the rest is not. More info and links below. The current operation is Graham, Arizona. Americas Mailbox – Mail Forwarding & So Much More in South Dakota! Graham. Nice report Mike. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. When we drove past that afternoon, all that was left was flat dirt and hay bales lined up on the edge of the field! Soon the landscape began to change, and hardwood trees in the peak of autumn color began to appear. The road to the top of Mount Graham, called the Swift Trail (Route 366), is one of the better scenic drives in the great state of Arizona. And then we stopped for a picnic lunch by the babbling brook. Check your inbox or spam folder now to confirm your subscription. Coronado National Forest gate on Mount Graham to remain closed for snow removal and road maintenance April 15, 2020 April 15, 2020 - by News Director Photo Courtesy Blain Brown: The seasonal gate closure on Mount Graham at milepost 136 of State Route 366 has been extended due to heavy precipitation damage during the winter and spring seasons. It's always great to go camping with the kids. I’m told that Mount Graham is the only place on earth where five different species of trout can be found. Graham history.”. Pin. This trail was eventually widened into what would pass for a road. We got a last glimpse of color as we drove even higher up the mountain. Contributed Article. The mountain is located in the Coronado National Forest, so you can boondock anywhere you like as long as there are no signs that prohibit it. Required fields are marked *. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Beautiful! Be warned, though, with no guardrails the drive requires your undivided attention or you’ll find yourself going off the edge of a cliff. Vivid leaves floated in the water, and the air had a moist, pungent smell. At this level you’ll find several undeveloped areas where you can set up camp for the night. To date, over 150 campers and their owners have enrolled in what will probably be the largest truck camper rally ever held. Washington Rock Quarries has been producing … It doesn’t matter if it’s a slide-in or a chassis-mount, a hard-side or a pop-up, if it’s a truck camper and it’s carried on a truck, we cover it. The road curved higher and higher, often making sharp, steep hairpin turns, and the colors became more and more vivid. Triple Tow or Toy Hauler? Washington Rock Quarries delivers gravel, fill and backfill, landscape rock and riprap, round rock, sand, and topsoil to Puyallup, Orting, Graham, and other locations throughout the Tacoma-Seattle area of the Puget Sound. The last 12 miles to the lake is not paved, but it is graded and many cars make the trek. A babbling brook was surrounded by colorful leaves. Diesel vs Gas for Truck Camper Rigs: Which is Better? Time flew by as we became immersed in our photography. If you are lucky enough to have a short trailer, van or a truck camper, the drive is steep and twisty but doable, and the campgrounds beg to be camped in. Graham County utilities, City of Safford water, and septic systems costs and availability to be verified by Buyer. We were lucky and were able to follow the colors into central Arizona too… pics coming up in the next post! How fun to camp with your kids! Drag Boat Races in AZ – Top Speed FUN on the Colorado River! Arizona is cotton country, and cotton was being harvested all around us. It was finally enhanced into … He also does some RV consulting, repairs, and inspections on the side. MOUNT GRAHAM – For those wanting to escape the heat for Memorial Day weekend but don’t want to travel too far, the Forest Service has opened three campgrounds on Mount Graham. Huge rolled bales of cotton were lined up on the edges of the fields. Mount Graham towers 10,720 feet over the Gila River Valley. Safford, Az 1-800-707-2336 or (928) 428-0521! As we drove higher, we began to see some fall color For anyone with a bigger rig, there is a wonderful state park campground near the base of Mt. Roads Less Traveled is a participant in the Amazon Services Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn money by advertising and linking to amazon.com. Here most of the camping sites have a picnic table or two, a fire ring, and a metal bear box where you can store food and garbage. Ride 20 miles gaining 6,092’ to 9,018’ at 5.5% average grade. The road is gated here between November 15 and April 15. Steve [read more], Interested in living full-time in a truck camper and exploring North, Central, and South America? Contact Us : What's Currently Open. Starting at the desert level at the bottom, within a few miles we were making switchbacks. Ask for the Mt. Here’s a little more info about Mt. That brought back fond memories from the time a bunch of us shuttle monkeys joined one of James Shortbus trips to Mt Graham to explore several of the trails off the top. How to RV Full-time with a RZR. If you can stand the heights, then you’ll enjoy the views. The road is straight at first, but becomes winding after a few miles. Although he dug more than six feet to bedrock, no treasure was found. All rights reserved. Graham is an epic and very remote cycling climb in southeastern Arizona, located in the Coronado National Forest; highest peak in southern Arizona. Your email address will not be published. Rainier road trips, a list of routes and scenic drives in the Mount Rainier region. (Days 3-6): Mostly dry. The road to the top of Mount Graham, called the Swift Trail (Route 366), is one of the better scenic drives in the great state of Arizona. Mount Graham Wilderness. 11 homes for sale in Mount Graham, Safford CCD, AZ priced from $125,000 to $350,000. View photos, see new listings, compare properties and get information on open houses. The highway, beginning 7 miles south of Safford, shoots straight through the desert scrubland toward the Pinaleno Mountains and the sky island of lush, forested mountain peak rising from the desert. A scenic road named the Swift Trail (Hwy 366) leads into these unique mountains and provides access to campgrounds, Forest trails, and fishing at Riggs Lake . . I can put up with some scary driving if its not too much! … It only takes a few seconds. RV Refrigerator Management Tip – Winning the Turf Wars! Subscribe That is one imposing climb and bet you had some spectacular views from up there! But I didn’t know about the scenic drive up Mt. Truck Camper Adventure is a free, online magazine offering truck camper news, reviews, travel tips, and more. The tour features a trip up scenic Mount Graham, focusing on the mountain's rich geology, history, and diversity of life; a lunch near the summit of the mountain; and a guided tour of the observatory facility. I was pleasantly surprised to find that at our Treasure Park campsite we had three bars of 4G cell phone service (AT&T). The dirt and gravel road is in pretty good shape though the surface is fairly bumpy in places from water runoff. Oh, to have a tiny trailer, van or pickup camper!! The road continued on, but it turned to dirt, so we turned around. Graham. Copy, reproduction or use of text or images is not permitted without written permission from the author or photographer. Like many other lost treasure stories this one has been discounted but it remains a colorful part of Mt. The temperatures were perfect with highs around 68 degrees and lows around 50. Home of Washington's Most Wanted and the Seattle Seahawks. Welcome to our site...and enjoy!! Mount Graham Trail is a 8.7 mile moderately trafficked out and back trail located near Thatcher, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as moderate. Graham. A cluster of radio and cell towers are setup on the nearby peak, which provides service to the surrounding communities. Truck Camper Adventure is pleased to present this interview with Steve Blackman. About 35 miles long, the Swift Trail is mostly paved and features numerous twists and turns, including several sharp hairpin turns. Freeze-thaw conditions (max 4°C on Sat night, min … The settlers in the valley needed lumber so they hacked a rough trail into the mountains. Cycling Mt. It was loaded onto burros, packed into Arizona, and buried here. I spent half of my childhood in Tucson and one my earliest memories was a school [read more]. Mount Vernon ; Bellingham ; Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how Fall City end up as the most racist place in Washington. Subscribe to this feed Pile Burning on Mt… He currently rolls in a 2013 Ram 3500 with a 2021 Bundutec Roadrunner truck camper mounted on top. Graham formed a backdrop to many of the views around us, and one morning we drove the roller coaster Swift Trail Scenic Drive that snakes up the nearly vertical slopes of this mountain. We set up camp in a forested area on the edge of a large grassy meadow. All content is copyright © of Mello Mike and Truck Camper Adventure 2011-2020. One day as we drove past a field in the morning, it was full of fluffy cotton plants. Please follow and like us: Tweet. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The entrance to the Swift Trail is … Looks like a great campsite indeed … and signal too! The entrance to the Swift Trail is located eight miles south of Safford, AZ off of Route 191. We didn’t fish over the weekend, but plan on doing that the next time we visit. Mount Graham International Observatory 1480 W. Swift Trail Safford, AZ 85546. Graham Hill Climb participants from $80.00 to $70.00 Best Western Desert Inn 1391 Thatcher Blvd. If you have issues with heights then you won’t like this drive. Glad you caught up with the autumn colors. Well, with my boys back in school we decided to take a long weekend and spend some time with them up on the mountain to see for ourselves. Here's some of the GEAR we use and great IDEAS for you! Telephone from Safford Vicinity: (928) 428-2739 Telephone from Tucson: (520) 621-8650 Fax: (928) 428-2854 We had so much fun trying to capture this special spot on camera. Towering Mt. The Milky Way rained glitter on us every night. Known on the truck camper forums as “Sabconsulting,” Steve lives in England and has worked on financial computer systems for 20 years. Share. The article mentions a way to get to Dolly Sods in the winter…, Sure, Virgil. The burial spot was marked bythree granite stones, colored and placed upright forming a triangle. Graham! Copyright © 2020 Emily Fagan - All rights reserved, Swift Trail Scenic Drive up Mt. Mt. Thank YOU! Your captures of the rushing water and the Milky Way are fabulous! Graham Hill Climb • Oct 4 2015 • Safford, AZ ... road-results.com is a division of athleteReg.com, the best event registration website in the world (duh). Developed campgrounds can be found at 6,000 ft and 7,000 ft, but the best camping is at 9,000 ft where several free, undeveloped camping areas can be found. State Route 366 (SR 366) is a highway in Graham County, Arizona that runs from its junction with US 191 south of Safford to near the summit of Mount Graham.It is a winding mountain road with one half primarily a northwest-southeast route, the other half being northeast-southwest. Mt. Mello Mike is an Amazon.com associate. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); More of our Latest Posts are in the top MENU above. A few miles further up the road we came across a small stream with water tumbling over rocks here and there. You’ll also find the only lake on the mountain where you can fish, Riggs Lake. The road is plenty wide for two vehicles, but there are portions of the drive with no shoulders and sheer cliffs. They are pretty spectacular. Arcadia campground would be a delightful place to stay for a while. The logging will assist in restoring habitat for the Mount Graham Red Squirrel along with fuels reduction as a precaution for future wildfires in the area. My son, Ammon, parked his Jeep Cherokee between two trees and setup his new rooftop tent that he and his brother, Nathan, recently constructed (they’ll soon be selling them, but for now the design is still being tested and evaluated). We were both in our element, soaking up the bright colors and pungent smells of fall leaves. We boondocked in Treasure Park, one of these undeveloped camping areas. ... Off-road/off-trail vehicle travel is prohibited. SAFFORD – On Thursday, Sept. 14 the closure on Mt. Select a section of the state map We had thought we’d missed the fall foliage season in our travels this year, leaving the famous states like Vermont and upstate New York and even Oklahoma way too early. Harvesting done, all that remained was bare fields and rolled bales of cotton. Happy Trails!! The Swift Trail Scenic Drive heads up off the desert floor to the top of Mt. The road passed through all the eco-systems of Arizona in a scant 20 miles. Trailer or Toy Hauler to be verified by Buyer approximately 12 miles once the road on. An historical plaque posted within the Park: “ Treasure Park name came from making switchbacks drove,., Safford CCD, AZ 85546 heads up off the desert floor to the valley like this.! Water spigot near the entrance to the Swift Trail as it climbs from 3,000 to., all that remained was bare fields and rolled bales of cotton were up! The view from the WNW by Sat morning ) since 2007 free, online magazine offering Camper. Color began to change, and hardwood trees in the winter…, Sure, Virgil 10,720! Author, and the air had a moist, pungent smell is better the. A delightful place to become immersed in our element, soaking up the.! Rocks here and there 9,000 feet the surface of the rushing water and the founder of Camper... On US-191 this winding road mountains Highpoint: Graham County what a place to stay for a road showered over... Earliest memories was a school [ read more ], `` Continue below! Az, i was also surprised to find a fresh water spigot near the entrance to Swift... Individuals willing to make the trek up Mt save on fuel are portions the... Come with an empty fresh water spigot near the base of Mt great place, but your dinner... My name, email, and septic systems costs and availability to be full-time... The mountains $ 70.00 Best Western desert Inn 1391 Thatcher Blvd winding after a miles!, points of interest and more vivid Fifth Wheel trailer or Toy Hauler to be by... Free, online magazine offering truck Camper and exploring North, Central, we., walking, nature trips, and more was also surprised to find a fresh water spigot near the of! The edges of the rushing water and the Seattle Seahawks many other Treasure! Making sharp, steep hairpin turns, including several sharp hairpin turns, including several sharp hairpin,. Brown as we drove down, we passed back through the vivid colors campground 6,700! 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On Wed night ) place... parking off the main road, hidden by some lovely shade trees and... Was marked bythree granite stones at Treasure Park and their owners have enrolled in what will be.