State Route 288 / Desert To Tall Pines Highway


Arizona 288 is a lightly used road that travels from Arizona 188 near Roosevelt Dam to Young, AZ. The road is primarily a dirt highway, with some paved sections, and is narrow and winding.
Arizona 288 was added to the state highway system in 1960. The actual road is much older, however, and the Salt River Bridge dates back to 1939. In 1971, the road was extended north to Arizona 260, but this extension was truncated back to Young in 1983.
Arizona 288 was designated as the Desert to Tall Pines scenic highway in 2001.
Special thanks to Thomas Gunther for his assistance with the photography of Apache Trail.

SR 288 begins at SR 188 east of Roosevelt Dam. This marks the first reassurance marker and milepost northbound.
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Trucks over 70 feet long are not permitted 45 miles ahead, after the end of the state highway in Young.
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Advance signage for the Salt River Bridge, 1/2 mile. The Salt River Bridge is a one-lane steel bridge, similar to those along SR 88.
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Turn left to reach the Tonto National Forest's Upper Salt River recreation site. The site offers lake access, when the water level is high enough.
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The one lane Salt River bridge dates back to 1920. This steel truss bridge is 220 feet long.
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Now across the bridge, the next turn is for the Diversion Dam recreation area, offering fishing.
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The majority of SR 288 is unpaved. This warning sign informs us that the pavement is about to end.
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For the next 34 miles, SR 288 will be an unpaved road. However, like many Arizona dirt roads, there is often a cover of pavement, which will be seen for the next several miles.
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SR 288 passes through the headwaters of Parker Creek. We are now entering the Sierra Ancha range.
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This short paved section seems to have been recently paved. ADOT, however, classifies this road section as dirt. SR 288 is winding around the side of Connor Canyon here.
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SR 288 now winds around the headwaters of Rose Creek. Notice the thick forests protecting the snowpack, and the muddy road.
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SR 288 sticks to Rose Creek Canyon for a short distance, between the peaks of the Sierra Ancha.
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Honey Creek drains into Reynolds Creek, which SR 288 is about to cross. This sign warns of potential flash flooding in Reynolds Creek Canyon.
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Now returning to a dirt surface at Mile 288, we see another curve warning sign. SR 288 is beginning a climb up the side of McFadden Creek.
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SR 288 turns east to follow a tributary of McFadden Creek. Notice how wintry this photo appears, despite air temperatures of 50 degrees when this photo was taken.
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SR 288 reaches it's maximum altitude of 6349 feet and begins a gradual descent into Juniper Flat.
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The town of Young sits inside Pleasant Valley. Before descending into the valley, there is an overlook on the side of the road featuring this marker.
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Pleasant Valley lies at approximately 5200 feet in elevation. SR 288 follows land lines as it crosses the valley.
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SR 288 meets FS 54 here. FS 54 travels northeast to reach SR 260, on a different route than FS 588 ahead.
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Photo Credits:
- Kevin Trinkle: 02/10/08
Page Updated Friday March 21, 2008.