{"id":13291,"date":"2021-06-17T18:48:05","date_gmt":"2021-06-17T18:48:05","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/?page_id=13291"},"modified":"2021-06-24T21:31:34","modified_gmt":"2021-06-24T21:31:34","slug":"100-days-journey-phoenix-area-april-2021","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/100-days-journey-phoenix-area-april-2021\/","title":{"rendered":"100 Days Journey: Part 7 &#8211; Phoenix area"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610214283171{background-color: #000000 !important;}&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#000000&#8243;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624559161292{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h2 style=\"text-align: center;\"><span style=\"color: #ffffff;\"><strong>100 Days Journey: Part 7 &#8211; Phoenix Area<br \/>\n<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610224958479{padding-top: 10px !important;}&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]Headed down to the Phoenix area for the first in a series of multi-day Skills Camp events hosted by the Ladies Offroad Network and had the opportunity to get certified as a TreadLightly! Tread Trainer while I was there. This edition of the LON Skills Camp, focused on navigation and trail leading, got us out on a few different trails in the Tonto National Forest (Click through the images below for each day&#8217;s notes)&#8230;[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;][vc_column]<style type='text\/css'>#cbpw-wrap97 {margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;}#cbpw-grid97 .cbp-l-caption-title {color:#ffffff;background-color:transparent;font-size:15px;font-family:Open Sans;font-weight:700;font-style:normal;line-height:21px;text-align:center;padding:0px 10px 0px 10px;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:capitalize;}#cbpw-grid97 .cbp-l-caption-desc {color:#aaa;background-color:transparent;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:16px;text-align:center;padding:0px 0px 0px 0px;margin:0px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-grid97 .cbp-caption-activeWrap {background-color:#000000;}#cbpw-filters79 .cbp-filter-item {background-color:transparent;border-color:#313eec;color:#76788a;font-size:13px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:35px;margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;padding:0px 18px 0px 18px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-filters79 .cbp-filter-item:hover {background-color:transparent;border-color:#3288C4;color:#313eec;font-size:13px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:35px;margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;padding:0px 18px 0px 18px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-filters79 .cbp-filter-item.cbp-filter-item-active {background-color:#313eec;border-color:#313eec;color:#FFFFFF;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:35px;margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;padding:0px 18px 0px 18px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-filters79 .cbp-filter-item.cbp-filter-item-active:hover {background-color:#313eec;border-color:#3288C4;color:#FFFFFF;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:35px;margin:0px 0px 10px 0px;padding:0px 18px 0px 18px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore97 .cbp-l-loadMore-link {color:#7E7B7B;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore97 .cbp-l-loadMore-link:hover {color:#B0B0B0;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore97 .cbp-l-loadMore-loading {color:#B0B0B0;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore97 .cbp-l-loadMore-loading:hover {color:#B0B0B0;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore97 .cbp-l-loadMore-stop {color:#B0B0B0;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-loadMore97 .cbp-l-loadMore-stop:hover {color:#B0B0B0;background-color:transparent;border-width:1px 1px 1px 1px;border-style:solid;border-color:#DEDEDE;font-size:12px;font-family:Open Sans,sans-serif;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;line-height:34px;text-align:center;padding:0px 30px 0px 30px;margin:40px 0px 0px 0px;text-transform:none;}#cbpw-singlePage97 .cbp-popup-navigation-wrap {background-color:#000000;}#cbpw-singlePage97 .cbp-popup-singlePage-counter {color:#ffffff;font-size:13px;font-family:Open Sans;font-weight:400;font-style:normal;}<\/style><link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/\/fonts.googleapis.com\/css?family=Open+Sans:700normal,400normal\" type=\"text\/css\" media=\"all\" property=\"stylesheet\"><div id=\"cbpw-wrap97\"><div id=\"cbpw-grid97\" class=\"cbp-l-grid-masonry cbp\"><div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0415-AZ-Sedona-diamondback_jeepontraillandscapebehindlowangle_IMG_8435_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 67:<\/strong> Last night it got really windy again, and I had to find a way to \u201ctie down\u201d my tent when there was nothing to actually \u201ctie\u201d it to. There was a single tree between my campsite and two others, and by extending my line, I was able to reach it. I tied another corner around the bottom of a bush.  For the other two corners all I could come up with was tying my line around the largest rocks I could find. Somehow it all held, and despite the gusts I was able to sleep and the tent stayed in place. The wind was a little calmer when I woke up and I broke camp and just stuffed everything into the back of the Jeep. I had enough time to drive one more Jeep trail before heading south, so I picked Diamondback Gulch, another of the more popular Sedona trails and an old favorite. It was still early enough that it wasn\u2019t super crowded, though there was enough traffic that I had to keep moving. I enjoyed the trail but made only a few photos stops, and as I exited onto the pavement, I turned south and started the drive to Mesa for the Ladies Offroad Network navigation event  \u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0415-AZ-Sedona-diamondback_jeepontraillandscapebehindlowangle_IMG_8435_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 67: AZ - Sedona to Phoenix<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">A last trail before heading south...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0416-AZ-Mesa_LONtreadtrainergroup-PhotobyLON_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 68:<\/strong> Spent the day learning how to teach the TreadLightly! principles and encourage sustainable recreational land usage in a full day \u201cTread Trainer\u201d training with Charlene Bower of Ladies Offroad Network. Our class became the first eight certified Tread Trainers in the LON group after completing the program. The Tread Trainer certification is part of the on-going partnership between Ladies Offroad Network and the TreadLightly! organization intended to encourage land stewardship among the network members and across their larger communities \u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0416-AZ-Mesa_LONtreadtrainergroup-PhotobyLON_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 68: AZ - Ladies Offroad Network<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">TreadLightly! Tread Trainer Certification ...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0417-AZ-Mesa-LONnav1_MapCompass_charleneandladiesmapsandphones_IMG_8576_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 69:<\/strong> Today was the start of a multi-day Ladies Offroad Network Navigation training event with LON founder, Charlene Bower. The morning began with an introduction to map and compass skills followed by a practical focus on using GPS and phone-based navigation apps in the field. Then in the afternoon the group got to do a short time-senstive exercise in route planning and \u201cdriving while navigating\u201d to various rendezvous points around Usery Mountain Regional Park\u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0417-AZ-Mesa-LONnav1_MapCompass_charleneandladiesmapsandphones_IMG_8576_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 69: AZ - Ladies Offroad Network<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">Skills Camp Navigation edition: Maps, compass &amp; GPS ...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0418-AZ-Mesa-LONnav2_TontoNF_sheepbridge-trail_windshieldviewwatercrossingeasy_IMG_8729_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 70:<\/strong> The LON navigation training moved into the field for a long day today as the group was tasked with researching and planning a route to a location that was previously unknown to us. We had to find the location on a map and build a route using online mapping tools. There were a number of specific details that needed to be included in the route we chose, and once the plan was complete we alternated as teams \u201cin charge\u201d of leading the trail. It was a great opportunity to see how different app-based navigational tools performed in an area that did not necessarily have cell coverage. The exercise also threw us a few navigational \u201ccurveballs\u201d forcing us to adapt and change plans en route, which made for a very realistic training scenario. We made it to the Sheep Bridge objective, but had a bit of a hiccup when the road that looked like it went across the Horseshoe Dam on the map and satellite images turned out to be blocked by a locked gate. After a hastily improvised \u201cworkaround\u201d we got back on the road to base camp and arrived only a little late for dinner \u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0418-AZ-Mesa-LONnav2_TontoNF_sheepbridge-trail_windshieldviewwatercrossingeasy_IMG_8729_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 70: AZ - Ladies Offroad Network<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">Skills Camp \"Nav\" edition: Route plans &amp; trail leading ...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0419-AZ-Mesa-SaguaroLakeTrails_spotting-spottingpointinghandsvehiclesoverview_IMG_9117_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 71:<\/strong> The final day of the LON navigation training had the group out on the trails in search of specific GPS coordinates in a vehicle-based version of an \u201ceaster egg hunt\u201d near Saguaro Lake. Teams had to use the satellite views on their app-based navigational aids \u201coff-line\u201d for extremely precise geo-location out in backcountry desert terrain with few landmarks. After wrapping up the navigation exercise we hit a few more trails to work on spotting skills as a group before returning to base camp for a final evening of fun \u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0419-AZ-Mesa-SaguaroLakeTrails_spotting-spottingpointinghandsvehiclesoverview_IMG_9117_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 71: AZ - Ladies Offroad Network<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">Skills Camp \"Nav\" edition: Finding CPs &amp; spotting ...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><div class=\"cbp-item logo\"><a href=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0420-AZ-Sedona-redrockloop_landscapeoverview_IMG_9196_1200w.jpg\" class=\"cbp-caption cbp-lightbox\" data-title=\"<p><strong>DAY 72:<\/strong> After saying goodbyes to the great group at the Ladies Offroad Network navigational training event, I left the Phoenix area behind and headed back towards Sedona. But this time I wasn\u2019t planning to stay in my favorite red rock destination, it was just the first stop on a north-bound route with a vague destination in mind \u2014 the main idea was to find an escape from the crowds that seem to be everywhere in the backcountry south of Flagstaff \u2026<\/p>\" style=\"\"><div class=\"cbp-caption-defaultWrap\"><img src=\"\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/SW-return_Apr-May2021_0420-AZ-Sedona-redrockloop_landscapeoverview_IMG_9196_1200w.jpg\" alt=\"\"><\/div><div class=\"cbp-caption-activeWrap\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-alignCenter\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-body\"><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-title\">Day 72: AZ - Phoenix to Sedona<\/div><div class=\"cbp-l-caption-desc\">Heading north to escape the crowds ...<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/a><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><script type=\"text\/javascript\">this.initCubePortfolio =  this.initCubePortfolio || []; this.initCubePortfolio.push({id: 97, options: {\"filters\":\"\",\"loadMore\":\"\",\"loadMoreAction\":\"click\",\"search\":\"\",\"layoutMode\":\"grid\",\"sortToPreventGaps\":true,\"drag\":true,\"auto\":false,\"autoTimeout\":5000,\"autoPauseOnHover\":true,\"showNavigation\":true,\"showPagination\":true,\"rewindNav\":true,\"scrollByPage\":false,\"defaultFilter\":\"*\",\"filterDeeplinking\":false,\"animationType\":\"scaleSides\",\"gridAdjustment\":\"responsive\",\"mediaQueries\":[{\"width\":1400,\"cols\":43},{\"width\":1170,\"cols\":3},{\"width\":1024,\"cols\":3},{\"width\":960,\"cols\":3},{\"width\":778,\"cols\":3},{\"width\":640,\"cols\":2},{\"width\":480,\"cols\":1}],\"gapHorizontal\":20,\"gapVertical\":20,\"caption\":\"overlayBottomAlong\",\"displayType\":\"bottomToTop\",\"displayTypeSpeed\":200,\"lightboxDelegate\":\".cbp-lightbox\",\"lightboxGallery\":true,\"lightboxTitleSrc\":\"data-title\",\"lightboxCounter\":\"<div class=\\\"cbp-popup-lightbox-counter\\\">{{current}} of {{total}}<\/div>\",\"singlePageDelegate\":\".cbp-singlePage\",\"singlePageDeeplinking\":true,\"singlePageStickyNavigation\":true,\"singlePageCounter\":\"<div class=\\\"cbp-popup-singlePage-counter\\\">{{current}} of {{total}}<\/div>\",\"singlePageAnimation\":\"middle\",\"singlePageInlineDelegate\":\".cbp-singlePageInline\",\"singlePageInlineDeeplinking\":false,\"singlePageInlinePosition\":\"top\",\"singlePageInlineInFocus\":true,\"plugins\":{},\"cols\":3,\"coverRatio\":\"4:3\"}});<\/script>[\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610299121889{margin-top: 15px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;slideInLeft&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">ROUTE<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_gmaps link=&#8221;#E-8_JTNDaWZyYW1lJTIwc3JjJTNEJTIyaHR0cHMlM0ElMkYlMkZ3d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbSUyRm1hcHMlMkZkJTJGZW1iZWQlM0ZtaWQlM0QxNlZmbVJ2R2wtcmREaDFqUmZERnVFaE1Jc1h5Tk9ISFglMjIlMjB3aWR0aCUzRCUyMjY0MCUyMiUyMGhlaWdodCUzRCUyMjQ4MCUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRmlmcmFtZSUzRQ==&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;none&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610224958479{padding-top: 10px !important;}&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]Note this map provides an overview of the seventh segment of the journey&#8211;covering the trail routes and locations around Phoenix, Arizona, as well as the route between Sedona and Phoenix. The route on this map shows the overall direction of travel and key &#8220;stops&#8221; but does not include any detailed GPX tracks for backcountry trails, etc&#8230;[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610299121889{margin-top: 15px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text css_animation=&#8221;slideInLeft&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h3 style=\"text-align: left;\">KEY LOCATIONS: Desert Waypoints<\/h3>\n<p>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610296030586{margin-top: 15px !important;}&#8221;][vc_column][vc_tta_tabs][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Sedona&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624566326724-07a7a606-733a&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13520&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624566570617{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<a href=\"https:\/\/visitsedona.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Sedona<\/span><\/a>, number one on USA Weekend\u2019s \u201cMost Beautiful Places in America list,\u201d is surrounded by 1.8 million acres of national forest land, with great jeep trails that wind in and out of a rugged landscape defined by pinnacles, spires, buttes and domes. Sedona\u2019s main attraction is its array of red sandstone formations. The formations appear to glow in brilliant orange and red when illuminated by the rising or setting sun. The red rocks form a popular backdrop for many activities, ranging from spiritual pursuits to the hundreds of hiking and mountain biking trails. Sedona\u2019s red rocks are formed by a unique layer of rock known as the Schnebly Hill Formation. The Schnebly Hill Formation is a thick layer of red to orange-colored sandstone found only in the Sedona vicinity. The sandstone, a member of the Supai Group, was deposited during the Permian Period. The early settlers were farmers and ranchers. John J. Thompson, who moved to Oak Creek Canyon in 1876 is considered the area\u2019s first Anglo settler. In 1902, when the Sedona post office was established, there were 55 residents. In the mid-1950s, the first telephone directory listed 155 names. Some parts of the Sedona area were not electrified until the 1960s. Sedona began to develop as a tourist destination, vacation-home and retirement center in the 1950s. Most of the development seen today was constructed in the 1980s and 1990s. As of 2007, there were no large tracts of undeveloped land remaining. Sedona has played host to more than sixty Hollywood productions from the first years of movies into the 1970s. Stretching as far back as 1923, Sedona\u2019s red rocks were a fixture in major Hollywood productions\u2014including films such as \u201cAngel and the Badman,\u201d \u201cDesert Fury,\u201d \u201cBlood on the Moon,\u201d \u201cJohnny Guitar,\u201d \u201cThe Last Wagon,\u201d and \u201c3:10 to Yuma.\u201d[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Diamondback Gulch&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624566370165-b1c89207-6a6a&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13560&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624567236372{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<a href=\"https:\/\/funtreks.com\/off-road-trails\/diamondback-gulch\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Diamondback Gulch<\/span><\/a> is rugged and remote with limited scenery. The trail follows a section of the original wagon route between Sedona and Prescott, that was in use before Arizona was a state. People like it because of the steep, rocky hills along the pipeline. The loose rock hill climbs and steep drop-offs increase with difficulty as you drive along the trail. The namesake feature &#8211;Diamondback Gulch\u2014is a deep ravine that slices through the land, requiring a\u00a0 steep descent into a chasm before climbing out again. Expansive views greet you on the other side. Vehicle requirements include 4WD Low and good ground clearance. Note that FR 152A can become impassable when wet.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Usery Mountain&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624566377968-fe9db085-7853&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13561&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624568710929{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<a href=\"https:\/\/www.maricopacountyparks.net\/park-locator\/usery-mountain-regional-park\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Usery Mountain Regional Park<\/span><\/a> is set at the western end of the Goldfield Mountains, adjacent to the Tonto National Forest. The park&#8217;s geological focal point is Pass Mountain, also known as &#8220;Scarface&#8221;. However the park&#8217;s moniker comes from the mountain itself, which was named for King Usery. &#8220;King&#8221; was his first name, rather than a title. He was a cattleman who was running stock in the area in the late 1870&#8217;s and early 1880&#8217;s. He had a tough struggle to survive and, apparently losing ground, moved up into the Tonto Basin country. Usery was accused of holding up the Globe-Florence stage and stealing two bars of silver bullion, valued at $2,000. Surrounded by the law at his ranch, Usery surrendered and was sentenced to a term of seven years in the Territorial Prison in Yuma. Usery Pass was also known for being a major sheep trail leading from the high country north of Mt. Baldy south to the Salt River Valley. Flocks of sheep, led by Mexican and Basque shepherds with their dogs, presented a picturesque sight in the spring and fall as they moved into or out of the Coconino plateau region.\u200b[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Tonto National Forest&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1623782638040-55e0442a-2b2b&#8221;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13304&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624559113975{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/tonto\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Tonto National Forest<\/span><\/a>, encompassing 2,873,200 acres, is the largest of the six national forests in Arizona and is the fifth largest national forest in the United States. The Tonto features some of the most rugged and inherently beautiful land in the country. Sonoran Desert cacti and flat lands slowly give way to the highlands of the Mogollon Rim. This variety in vegetation and range in altitude \u2014 from 1,300 to 7,900 feet \u2014 offers outstanding recreational opportunities throughout the year, whether it\u2019s lake beaches or cool pine forest. With a southern boundary near the Phoenix metropolitan area, Tonto is also the most visited \u201curban\u201d forest in the United States. One of the primary purposes for establishing the Tonto National Forest in 1905 was to protect its watersheds around reservoirs. The forest produces an average of 350,000 acre-feet of water each year. Six major reservoirs on the forest have the combined capacity to store more than 2 million acre-feet of water. Management efforts are directed at protecting both water quality and watershed and riparian area conditions.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Sheep Bridge&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624566373970-e1e313b4-e8e5&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13565&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624569293205{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<a href=\"https:\/\/www.fs.usda.gov\/recarea\/tonto\/recarea\/?recid=35219\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">The Sheep Bridge<\/span><\/a>, also known as the Red Point Sheep Bridge, is a suspension bridge which crosses the Verde River constructed primarily to allow sheep to be driven between grazing ranges on either side of the river. Dr. R.O. Raymond of the Flagstaff Sheep Company owned a winter sheep allotment on the east side of the Verde River and a summer allotment on the west side. Access between the sides was difficult, and high water conditions could make it hazardous to ford the river. Raymond decided to fund the construction of a narrow suspension bridge across the Verde to make the crossing easier. Building started in 1943 and was completed in 1944. Sheep drives stopped in 1978. The bridge was closed in 1987 and largely demolished in 1988. A replica bridge was constructed in by the U.S. Forest Service in 1989 to allow hikers access to the Mazatzal Wilderness in Tonto National Forest. The original west suspension tower still remains alongside the replica bridge. There are a couple of different Jeep trails that can be\u00a0 used to access the bridge site, including\u00a0 the rough but scenic <a href=\"https:\/\/azoffroad.net\/bloody-basin-trail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Bloody Basin Road<\/span><\/a> which winds 36 miles through the Agua Fria National Monument and Tonto National Forest before arriving to the bridge, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/trail\/us\/arizona\/cave-creek-to-sheep-bridge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><span style=\"color: #ff0000;\">Seven Springs route<\/span><\/a> from Cave Creek.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=&#8221;Saguaro Lake&#8221; tab_id=&#8221;1624566365858-1113e143-1ad5&#8243;][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;1\/3&#8243;][vc_single_image image=&#8221;13567&#8243; img_size=&#8221;large&#8221;][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=&#8221;2\/3&#8243;][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624570107965{padding-right: 20px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 10px !important;}&#8221;]<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><a style=\"color: #ff0000;\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tripsavvy.com\/saguaro-lake-recreation-1652301\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Saguaro Lake<\/a> <\/span>is set in the Sonoran Desert and is rimmed with canyon walls. As the name implies, the shores of the lake are studded with majestic Saguaro cactus. Saguaro Lake is the fourth reservoir on the Salt River, formed by the Stewart Mountain Dam. Saguaro Lake was formed as the Stewart Mountain Dam was built on the Salt River as part of the Salt River Project. The lake, part of the Tonto National Forest, has an average depth of 90 feet. Saguaro lake is off State Route 87, about halfway between Phoenix and the ghost town of Sunflower. Try the upper reaches of the lake (east-end) for more seclusion. Boat access camping at the east end of the lake.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][\/vc_tta_tabs][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row][vc_column][vc_separator color=&#8221;black&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624559012993{margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221;][vc_column][vc_btn title=&#8221;Back to Days 52-66&#8243; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fas fa-angle-double-left&#8221; css_animation=&#8221;none&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnomadstudio.com%2Ftheroadbook%2F100-days-journey-nevada-to-arizona-march-april-2021%2F|title:100%20Days%20Journey%3A%20Mojave%20Road%20to%20Alabama%20Hills%20(February%202021)&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624559029143{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;100 Days &#8211; Main Page&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnomadstudio.com%2Ftheroadbook%2F100-days-journey-across-the-usa-january-may-2021%2F&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624559042667{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221;][vc_btn title=&#8221;Ahead to Days 73-78&#8243; i_align=&#8221;right&#8221; i_icon_fontawesome=&#8221;fas fa-angle-double-right&#8221; add_icon=&#8221;true&#8221; link=&#8221;url:http%3A%2F%2Fwww.usnomadstudio.com%2Ftheroadbook%2F100-days-journey-vermilion-cliffs-april-2021%2F|title:100%20Days%20Journey%3A%20Mojave%20Road%20to%20Alabama%20Hills%20(February%202021)&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624559058119{margin-right: 10px !important;margin-bottom: 10px !important;}&#8221;][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; content_placement=&#8221;middle&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610214283171{background-color: #000000 !important;}&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#000000&#8243;][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1624559161292{padding-top: 5px !important;padding-bottom: 20px !important;}&#8221;] 100 Days Journey: Part 7 &#8211; Phoenix Area [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row full_width=&#8221;stretch_row&#8221; bg_type=&#8221;bg_color&#8221; css=&#8221;.vc_custom_1610224958479{padding-top: 10px !important;}&#8221; bg_color_value=&#8221;#ffffff&#8221;][vc_column][vc_column_text]Headed down to the Phoenix area for the first in a series of multi-day Skills Camp events hosted by the Ladies Offroad Network and had the opportunity to [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"template-home.php","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13291"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=13291"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13291\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":13568,"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/13291\/revisions\/13568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.usnomadstudio.com\/theroadbook\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=13291"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}