My husband found the "scenic drive" of the apache trail and wants to do a day trip on our next visit to Phoenix. Also wants to stop at the Boyce Thompson Arboretum. Has anyone else taken the route? Any comments or recommendations?

Very highly recommend both, especially Apache Trail...everyone loves the area and scenery.

Have done this trip MANY times. Because you hug the mountain after the real road ends, it is best to go EAST from Phoenix area so that the mountains are on your right side. Once you reach Tortilla flat where there is a wonderful tacky restaurant with decent food/chili and then the road ends and the trail continues on west until Globe/Superior area. You can then return to Phoenix by highway. This trip is all day but the scenery is beatiful. You will pass three man made lakes (by roosevelt Dam) that you can drive down to and walk/water ski or just sit and enjoy the scenery. There is also a boat tour on I think the first lake. If you decide to turn around at Tortilla flats, the trail still is fun and you will still get to see some of the lakes and hairpin turns. If you have the opportunity, you might want to spend a day there driving to Apache trail and stop at the tourist attraction (I can't remember the name but it's based on a goldmine. You can take a tour down to the bottom of the mine with a guide; touristy but the kids and actually my husband and I enjoyed it. The gift shop there has those great chili pepper covers to put on lights. You will also learn about the Lost Dutchman legend where supposedly a ton of gold is buried and many diggers have lost their lives looking. We did this, part of the trail to Tortila flats last time we went and finished with a sunset horseback ride. This was the highlight of the trip for my 8 year old. To ride in the desert while the sun is setting and see the colors and mountains change was absolutely gorgeous. We did this trip last march and even though we had lived there for 7 years about 10 years agos, this was really a fun day. Have a great time!

Stop at Goldfield for dinner and fun.

Hi Nancy,

I just did this drive last week and found it absolutely stunning. I would take Pat's suggestion on her way to travel through the area. I came from the opposite way, and was quite litteraly next the the edge of steep drop-offs. Her directions will make your drive much more relaxing as you will be on the opposite side of the road.

Happy Trails,
Paul

Thanks for your help. Will definately start from the East.

Has anyone stopped at the Arboretum?

The Arboretum is on the way back from Globe. I have been once and found it quite interesting. My brother goes almost every week to go birdwatching.

One thing to add -- do NOT do the Apache Trail if there's a chance for rain. This is an unimproved road, and can be VERY hazardous in wet weather. Check the weather BEFORE you leave so you aren't caught in a thunderstorm where you don't want to be!

Pat

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for taking the time to write and recommend going EAST on the Apache Trail.
It was a wonderful trip; my husband is afraid of heights so I took over the wheel prior to the 22 mile dirt road.
You ?forgot? to mention that when you put your brakes on going down the "cliff" with no guard rail that the car also slides with you. Let me tell you - it's a trip I will NEVER forget. I just finished telling my husband that if Teddy Roosevelt thought the area was one of the most beautiful areas he had ever seen; he must not have gotten out much - that's when we turned the s curve and really SAW the area. Can you
imagine doing that on foot or horseback
where you could take you time and really enjoy it>
I am also glad Paul recommended not doing the trip in rain. Having been there - I think it would be suicide.

Thank you for your help.