ArizonaRoad Trips

Adventures Driving the Apache Trail

Adventures in the Old West, Arizona

My sisters said let’s go for a driving the Apache Trail! We piled in my Acura MDX and head out towards Tortilla Flat. It’s right after that where you hit the dirt road for the next 40 miles. Once you venture on the narrow dirt road there’s no turning back. My focus was to enjoy the ride and make it to the Roosevelt Dam.

Mystery Along the Apache Trail

Along one of the turns, we saw a crashed van pulling a boat on the side of the road where yellow caution tape was up. We all had our theories about what possibly could have happened. Did the van get too close to the edge? Did foul play happen because it looked like gunshots in the windows? We’ll never know. We pulled over by the lake for a picnic lunch and enjoyed the serene views.
When we got to the dam, we stopped and marveled at the history of all that this land holds and tried to imagine riding this trail via stagecoach. It was an adventure even by car.

Glad to have checked this off my bucket list: Now, what’s next?

My Top Travel Spots in Arizona:

Driving the Apache Trail
Hiking Pinnacle Peak
Cave Creek
Chocolate Waterfalls
Grand Canyon National Park

And everyday I try to find somewhere new to explore. Ever wonder if there’s more to life? Go wander and find out! #MoreToLife

ApacheTrail-WhereGalsWander

Driving the Apache Trail is not for the faint of heart.  I blazed past my comfort zone and took off on the winding 40-mile dirt road through rugged desert mountains and steep cliffs.

Apache Trail-WhereGalsWander

Driving through the Goldfield Ghost Town.

Arizona Ghost Town-WhereGalsWander
Arizona Ghost Town-WhereGalsWander

Looking for a cowboy, but instead found a cowboy plaque on this western wagon art display at the Goldfield Ghost Town.

Driving the Apache Trail
Old West-WhereGalsWander

Proof There’s Water in the Desert

Driving the Apache Trail
Water In The Desert-WhereGalsWander

WGW Gals don’t particularly care for driving over bridges, but they are a beautiful representation of where you’ve been and where you are going.

Driving the Apache Trail
Bridges on the Drive Along the Apache Trail-WhereGalsWander
Driving the Apache Trail
Driving the Apache Trail

“The Earth is art, the photographer is only a witness”- Yann Arthus Bertland

Driving the Apache Trail
Beautiful Views, Apache Trail-WhereGalsWander

You never know what you are going to find if you just keep moving forward on your journey. Slow speed is acceptable! Do you see the goat on the road?  I pulled over so we could get closer and I wouldn’t spook him. I should have kept going slowly because the car behind me passed by me quickly and the goat took off. Lesson learned, don’t stop, crawl if you have to.

Driving the Apache Trail
Apache Trail-WhereGalsWander

Roosevelt Dam

Driving the Apache Trail

When the Roosevelt Dam was completed in 1911, it was the largest stone dam in the world. I was damn glad to see it because it was at the end of the Apache Trail.

Driving the Apache Trail
Roosevelt Dam-WhereGalsWander

The views were the reward of making it to the end of the Apache Trail.

Driving the Apache Trail
Apache Trail-WhereGalsWander
Driving the Apache Trail

All photos and content copyright by WhereGalsWander and not to be used, shared or reprinted without written consent. #WhereGalsWander

JD

JD is one of the founding contributors of WhereGalsWander and one of the original Gals off the Block.

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2 Comments

  1. I don’t particularly care for driving over bridges either, but I love this quote from you: they are a beautiful representation of where you’ve been and where you are going. I can see the Apache trail definitely isn’t for the faint of heart, but what rewarding views!

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