Hey everyone, I’m looking for some advice. I have two friends coming in from out of state this next week and they are really into photography. They want me to take them out to some scenic places so they can take some cool pictures. Do you guys have any recommendations? I was thinking somewhere in the Superstitions, maybe Payson. What do you guys think?

I’m in Queen Creek so I’m not really looking for a 4 hour drive somewhere and it would also be cool if the trail was somewhat interesting to drive, I’ll take whatever you got though. Thanks yall.

Sedona? Apache Trail out to Roosevelt? Find a river or lake maybe.

If they're from out of town odds are the things you see even in your day to day are more interesting than the trees and cooler temps you like.
I'd say K7 is right in his proposal for the Superstitions. The desert grows old too fast for me even more into dislike, but it's new and pretty to them (people rarely take pics of things around where they live, yet instead feel compelled to when they trip to somewhere else).
AZ lakes are interesting in that they lie in the desert, and I had rarley seen blue water until I left muddy Louisiana.
There's still some flowers out there.
Try the drive down old highway 88 from AJ, through Tortilla, and then if you want dirt, on to Roosevelt. 3 lakes, a couple touristy "ghost towns" and plenty of places to hike along the way especially Fish Creek (search for that here, one of my favorite scrambles).

K7AZV wrote:Apache Trail out to Roosevelt? Find a river or lake maybe.

Coming back through Globe and Superior is cool too. Look up Oak Flats Campground. If you follow the paved road there back a mile or two, that's the start of Hackberry Creek trail in the Wells book and has nice scenery. On the hill east of Superior is the tunnel too.

K7AZV wrote:Coming back through Globe and Superior is cool too. Look up Oak Flats Campground. If you follow the paved road there back a mile or two, that's the start of Hackberry Creek trail in the Wells book and has nice scenery. On the hill east of Superior is the tunnel too.

Lot's of great rock climbing back in Oak Flats :rockon:

Who said that?

Skatchkins wrote:Who said that?

climbing not crawling :cool)

Got it. Just couldn't tell where the sneaky voice was coming from. It's like it came from all around

oh yes, lost on the wind

stupid ninjas...

I didn't think about apache trail. They would probably really like to see the lakes. Also, they are from a part of Texas which is flat and has a whole lot of nothing so I’m sure whatever they see will be better than were their from. I've heard there are a lot of trails that branch off of it too. I'll have to look into Hackberry Creek too; I've wanted to do that trail for a long time. Thanks for the advice guys! Appreciate it.

Do you guys think a stock toyota 4x4 tacoma would make it through Hackberry Creek?

jstaffeldt wrote:Do you guys think a stock toyota 4x4 tacoma would make it through Hackberry Creek?

Bottom line, yeah, it could make it through. If it were mine, I'm not sure I'd take a stock vehicle on Hackberry Creek.

This stock TJ went on the trail with us, but did take a beating on the undercarriage.





This hill was like driving on bowling balls. No traction and fairly steep. Everyone made it up without assistance though.

Thanks for the photos. I sent my friend this link so he can decide if he wants to take his truck through it. By looking at the pictures I think we can get him through. He has more clearance than a stock TJ does. So I think it will be all good. We'll see what he says though.

jstaffeldt wrote:Thanks for the photos. I sent my friend this link so he can decide if he wants to take his truck through it. By looking at the pictures I think we can get him through. He has more clearance than a stock TJ does. So I think it will be all good. We'll see what he says though.

Yeah, the more clearance the better. There were only a couple places that I'd even call obstacles and they were not too difficult. Other than that, it's just a rocky trail.