AZ 88; the Apache Trail

[Rothman]

The National Park Service doesn't mess around; they will ticket folks if they take certain trails in insufficiently off-road vehicles (the determining factor appears to be presence of a low range). https://www.msn.com/en-us/autos/news/national-park-service-will-cite-drivers-of-awd-cars-for-driving-on-4wd-only-trails/ar-AA1otL3J

No idea if officials in Arizona are as strict.

Requiring 4WD is not the same as requiring a high-clearance vehicle.  NPS does have roads where high clearance is a requirement, but 4WD is not.

[Sonic99]

I believe I saw some chatter than ADOT doesn't plan on putting a ton of attention into continually grading and clearing that part, so while it may be fair for now, it will eventually get rutted and rougher as rains hit and more traffic hits it and thus wanting to not let people be led to believe they can take their Camry "the back way" just because.

[kwellada]

I believe I saw some chatter than ADOT doesn't plan on putting a ton of attention into continually grading and clearing that part, so while it may be fair for now, it will eventually get rutted and rougher as rains hit and more traffic hits it and thus wanting to not let people be led to believe they can take their Camry "the back way" just because.

This is basically how half the off road recovery YouTube videos get their origin story.

[Max Rockatansky]

I believe I saw some chatter than ADOT doesn't plan on putting a ton of attention into continually grading and clearing that part, so while it may be fair for now, it will eventually get rutted and rougher as rains hit and more traffic hits it and thus wanting to not let people be led to believe they can take their Camry "the back way" just because.

This is basically how half the off road recovery YouTube videos get their origin story.

Considering how "warmly received" ADOT's lazy response to reopening AZ 88 I don't see slack maintenance being tolerated for very long. A couple years ago ADOT tried to relinquish a lot of low traffic count highways and pretty much was met universally with community outrage everywhere they went.

[Max Rockatansky]

Heh, now the ADOT social media account is essentially admitting the 4WD/high clearance signage is in place due to anticipated weathering the temporary grade at Fish Creek Hill:

https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0N2737quBDLggMbYXzbf2EiooKvUXWRXv8h4GZp75md5zZrhGofCLu1JMkCFi5DBbl&id=100068725377132&mibextid=cr9u03

[kwellada]

Heh, now the ADOT social media account is essentially admitting the 4WD/high clearance signage is in place due to anticipated weathering the temporary grade at Fish Creek Hill:

I watched a couple YouTubers who did the road a few days ago and right now it looks like one of the nicest gravel roads in the state. There were a few sedans on it and they were doing just fine. Naturally, that is not a road I'd ever consider in rainy weather, but I'm thinking I'll have to visit it in a couple weekends.

[pderocco]

I understand that fires increase the danger of slides, and they're reluctant to invest in repairs until the vegatation has recovered. But is there some reason that they never bothered to pave this road in the first place? Sounds like a fairly popular road, and it is an actual State Highway.

[kwellada]

I finally did the full Apache trail earlier today in a Nissan Juke. What a gorgeous drive. I'm so pleased the state put some money into reopening the roadway. There was a state trooper at the old west gate, apparently there to make sure no one was taking a trailer into the newly reopened section, but clearly they don't care about non 4x4s right now.