PHX-Hewitt Canyon Road-Desert Scenery

Discussion in 'Ride Reports - Epic Rides' started by dave6253, Mar 7, 2010.

  1. dave6253

    dave6253 GCBAR Explorer

    Joined:
    May 1, 2006
    Oddometer:
    4,839
    Location:
    Phoenix, Arizona
    Join me...
    [​IMG]

    My Bike...
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    and my camera for a short scenic ride...
    [​IMG]

    Just outside the 6th largest city in the U.S.
    [​IMG]
    #1
  2. Thorne

    Thorne Sherpa-ing around

    Joined:
    Oct 13, 2008
    Oddometer:
    1,206
    Location:
    Lone Pine, ON, Canada
    Nice pictures
    #2
  3. dave6253

    dave6253 GCBAR Explorer

    Joined:
    May 1, 2006
    Oddometer:
    4,839
    Location:
    Phoenix, Arizona
    I rolled out of the driveway at 5:30 Saturday morning. After nearly an hour on the slab the sun starts to rise.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    East of Phoenix I turn off the US60 onto Queen Valley Road.
    [​IMG]

    3 miles later I turn onto the graded dirt Hewitt Station Road.
    [​IMG]

    After turning onto Hewitt Canyon Road (FR172) I'm immediately greeted by a water crossing at Queen Creek.
    [​IMG]

    Hmmmmm....
    This looks ominous.
    [​IMG]

    This is my largest water crossing yet. The sand was very soft and I should've carried a little more speed. I dug a trench with the rear tire up to the axle while inching across... just barely.:loco

    [​IMG]

    I'm greeted on the other side by increasingly better scenery.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I found a spot to stop for breakfast and pull out the DSLR.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I was hoping to get out here early for a beautiful sunrise. Not only was I a little late, but it was rather cloudy.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    #3
  4. AzStorm

    AzStorm Lost in the maze

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2005
    Oddometer:
    297
    Location:
    Phx.,Az.
    This is incredible!
    Most here dont get to see what the desert is really like.
    Most only see the concrete jungle.

    Subscribed
    #4
  5. airgord

    airgord What am I doing out here! Supporter

    Joined:
    Feb 11, 2007
    Oddometer:
    901
    Location:
    Eloy, AZ.
    Beautiful pics, thanks for sharing!!
    #5
  6. contacterich

    contacterich Been here awhile

    Joined:
    Oct 10, 2006
    Oddometer:
    301
    Location:
    California
    ...for sharing these awesome shots!
    <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden">
    #6
  7. dave6253

    dave6253 GCBAR Explorer

    Joined:
    May 1, 2006
    Oddometer:
    4,839
    Location:
    Phoenix, Arizona
    Thanks for the nice comments. I have a few more to share.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Arizona Road Hazard:lol3
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Many water crossings today. Most are small. (I'm still worried a little about making it back across Queen Creek.) We've had alot of rain lately.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    #7
  8. kaipara

    kaipara Adventurer

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2009
    Oddometer:
    71
    Location:
    New Zealand
    I really enjoyed that!
    Cheers
    #8
  9. cyberdos

    cyberdos Easy Bonus Loop ♦♦

    Joined:
    Sep 2, 2005
    Oddometer:
    49,239
    Location:
    Queen Creek, AZ
    Out of all the local rides here, Montana Mountain has to be my favorite. Wonderful pics. Thanks for sharing.
    #9
  10. dave6253

    dave6253 GCBAR Explorer

    Joined:
    May 1, 2006
    Oddometer:
    4,839
    Location:
    Phoenix, Arizona
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I climb to the end of the road at Rogers Trough Trailhead.
    [​IMG]

    I've backpacked into this canyon twice before.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I take a break from the bike and hike about 1/2 a mile in.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    There's always sharp pointy things in the desert.
    [​IMG]

    These thorny bushes are found all over this trail and can really bloody up your arms and legs. A local hiking club trims them back during the cool months, but they really overgrow the trail in the summer. OUCH!
    [​IMG]

    Anyone know what sort of paw print this is? Mountain Lion?:dunno
    [​IMG]

    High in the Superstition Mountains the scenery is quite different than the desert below.
    [​IMG]

    Back on the bike and the wet roads.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    #10
  11. fuggy

    fuggy Canyon Explorer

    Joined:
    Aug 20, 2009
    Oddometer:
    864
    Location:
    AZ/CO/Baja
    Looks like a dog track to me. (mt. lions normally won't show claws). Too small to be a bear and looks to big for a coyote.

    Great pics! Very scenic area for sure. For anyone that has not backpacked this area, there is great trips to be had to Reavis Ranch and/or the indian ruins. :D
    #11
  12. ghte

    ghte Been here awhile

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2010
    Oddometer:
    186
    Location:
    Bright, Victoria Australia.
    I really enjoyed the photos, It captured the essence really well.
    Thank you for the effort.
    #12
  13. dave6253

    dave6253 GCBAR Explorer

    Joined:
    May 1, 2006
    Oddometer:
    4,839
    Location:
    Phoenix, Arizona
    Ha Ha!:lol3 You mean I put a puppy paw print in my ride report? :loco I'm a dufus. I wondered if it might be a dog, but haven't seen anyone hiking with their dog on this trail before.

    I've seen the Indian Ruins and camped at Angel's Basin. I haven't made it to Reavis Ranch yet.
    #13
  14. dsfox

    dsfox Adventurer

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2009
    Oddometer:
    20
    Location:
    San Diego
    Amazing Photos, thanks...makes me want to head East !
    #14
  15. BusyWeb

    BusyWeb Adventurer

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2009
    Oddometer:
    99
    Wow...
    :clap
    Nice photos... specially them with your bike on it.. ha ha ha
    #15
  16. Bob

    Bob Formerly H20Pumper Supporter

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2002
    Oddometer:
    3,525
    Location:
    Corral de Tierra CA, Ketchum ID
    Nice pics, spring in the desert!
    #16
  17. dave6253

    dave6253 GCBAR Explorer

    Joined:
    May 1, 2006
    Oddometer:
    4,839
    Location:
    Phoenix, Arizona
    I roll back down the hill.
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    Proof I was there.
    [​IMG]

    I stopped at this stream to find waterfalls.
    #17
  18. dave6253

    dave6253 GCBAR Explorer

    Joined:
    May 1, 2006
    Oddometer:
    4,839
    Location:
    Phoenix, Arizona
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    My Favorite Shot of the Day
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I've always wondered what all the dry washes were for in the desert. :confused Who knew water used them?:dunno
    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]

    I made it back across Queen Creek. It was much easier (and more fun) with a little momentum this time.

    I slab it back home in North Phoenix. Not a bad 1/2 day of riding.
    [​IMG]

    Thanks for looking.

    I plan get out for a 4 day ride in a couple weeks.:ricky Until then...:wave
    #18
  19. snowbilly

    snowbilly Been here awhile

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2007
    Oddometer:
    246
    Location:
    Western NC
    Dave,

    Beautiful images!!! :clap:clap:clap

    Thanks for sharing these. My wife and I are visiting Benson area from western NY ... where it is sunny and about 50 degrees today!! :eek1 I thought AZ got the sun! :cry

    Your composition in your pics is really, really good. Are you doing any post processing on the images to get that incredibly vibrant color?

    Thanks for taking the time to write this up and share the day.

    rw
    #19
  20. funhouse

    funhouse Overdue

    Joined:
    May 6, 2007
    Oddometer:
    3,044
    Location:
    Santa Barbara
    ....but how'd you get the four F150 rims out on your KTM? Bruce
    #20