Arizona -> Dirt -> Las Vegas -> Paved -> Seattle

[JesseH]

Planning a trip on my new (used) DR 650 and couldn't be more excited. I pickup the bike and meet a good friend in Phoenix, the plan is to spend 5 days on dirt trails to Las Vegas, then parting ways, and I'm going to be swapping tires and heading for Seattle (home).

Looks like AZBDR - Arizona Backcountry Discovery Route route isn't finished yet, but this is exactly the kind of trails we are looking for en route to Vegas. Any suggestions of roads/spots that shouldn't be missed? (We will also be camping, not sure if that makes a difference)


From Vegas to Seattle.... it's going to be a slight rush at 4 days, but will be on the road and I'm trying to stay on the dry side (east) of the cascades before heading over. Any suggestions here as well?


Much appreciated!
-Jess

[John Downs]

Hi Jesse,

I was down in AZ last month and enjoyed the warmer weather. Although it was chilly in the upper elevations. Most of the gravel roads I tootled down north of Phoenix dead ended eventually. Apache trail was a nice backroad from Apache Junction up through the Superstition mts and ending up at Roosevelt dam where it hooked up with a paved road. Others local to the area may know of dirt roads to link up on the way to Las Vegas. I wandered around aimlessly and enjoyed the mining town of Jerome, outside Sedona and heading up to Flagstaff on the old road. Those are paved roads though. North of Flagstaff you hit the Navajo Indian reservation and the Grand Canyon so maybe west of Phoenix there are better offroad options. Eventually you have to cross the Colorado river and there aren't any bridges I know of other than on 93 up by Hoover dam. Others may have ideas.

From Las Vegas it would be a nice time of year to head over through Pahrump to Death Valley. 70s and 80s this time of year. I usually camp at Furnace Creek, but it is closed for repairs. I hear Panamint Springs is nice camping for 10.00 or you could head off into the Panamint Mts and camp for free.

The east side of the Sierra I prefer 395 instead of 95. More scenic. In northern Nevada, if you want the road less traveled you could cut over to 447 at Reno and head up through the Black Rock desert. Make sure to fill up in Gerlach if you head that way though since gas is scarce out in the middle of nowhere. Maybe cut back over on 299 to 395 or head up to Adel, Oregon and cut over to Lakeview. Beautiful remote area. Mind you it will be chilly in early April especially at night. I froze by butt off on that road coming back from Guatemala a few years ago in early May. Sub freezing at night this time of year in eastern Oregon. Todays high is 55 in Bend Oregon and low of 30 tonight. Hopefully you have heated grips. Of course I see you are from Minnesota. So maybe that is a non-issue.

If the weather is warmer, I prefer heading up 395 through eastern Oregon instead of the long straightish 97. Maybe check the ODOT weather cams to see what the roads look like though at:

TripCheck - Oregon Department of Transportation

You can always head west on the two lane road up the Columbia River Gorge on the Washington side of the Columbia River or I-84 on the Oregon side if you are freezing your butt off by the time you reach Washington or if time is running short and jet up to Seattle.

Should be a fun trip!

Cheers,
John Downs

[yuma simon]

John Downs mentioned the Navajo Reservation--very good dirt roads all over! I lived and worked there for 2 years as a teacher, and I remember several of the roads well. Benchmark Maps has some of the best details and is the most accurate of the western states, including dirt roads, as I discovered living in northern AZ and comparing maps to the real thing. I can only attest to their Arizona book, but I am quite sure all the states they cover are just as accurate.

Benchmark Maps & Atlases

If I recall correctly, most of Arizona can be navigated via dirt road, and I am sure the other states, too. Of course research will have to be done.