The apache Trail--Part 2--Tortilla Flats to Roosevelt Dam

Leaving Tortilla flats the paved two lane road lasted for 8 to 10 miles and then changed into a single lane washboard gravel cow trail. The road took us up mountains and down valleys with curves and switchbacks that barely gave us enough room to negotiate the turns. Larry and Lori were driving ahead of us and videoed our descent down Fish Creek Hill.

Beautiful scenery

Single Lane Bridge

Canyon Lake in distance

Leaving Tortilla Flats

About 15 miles from the Roosevelt dam we came to a sign that said "No Vehicles Over 40 Feet Allowed To Proceed" as we were 36.5 feet long, and not knowing what lay ahead, we carried on.

Two lane gravel at this point--no problem eh!

Tonto National forest

Oh! Oh! Single lane. Are you kidding?

Muddy waters--Lots of rain recently

With grades of 10 to 15% that take you down 1500 feet in a very short time. Shear cliffs and hair pin turns demand all your attention as one wrong move will take you off the road, falling some 1000 feet, to join the pile of wreckage at the bottom of the cliff. We were driving on a ledge that was supported, in places, by sandbags.

It took two and a half hours to go 30 miles

Just as we thought we had made it through the worst parts of the road we came to the descent down Fish Creek Hill. Fish Creek Hill, as I was to find out later, is the most dangerous,gut wrenching,make a man out of a boy stretch of road that you will ever encounter anywhere.

Severe Washboard 5 miles per hour

Hairpin turns and shear drops

Whenever we met cars coming towards us one of us would have to pull over and we would pass with only inches between us. This often happened on corners and was always unexpected. Because of all the hills and turns we had very little warning of approaching traffic.

Very Little room to pass

Top of Fish creek Hill you can see larry's Camper far below

Winding down the mountains and approaching Roosevelt dam

Finally Paved Roads