R1T Off-road Trips in Metro Phoenix, AZ: Box Canyon - Wickenburg and Bulldog Canyon FR10 - Mesa

[shrink]

I finally took my R1T on a couple local off-road trails in the metro Phoenix area. I don't have a ton of experience off-roading, but I have used my 2014 Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk on some nasty lava rock trails to some killer beaches and an on mountain off road trail in Waimea on the Big Island, so I'm not a total newbie.

The RIT makes these really, really easy. It's so powerful and versatile. Main drawback is size. I got some pinstripes from narrow paths by taking a wrong turn. However, everything came out without a scratch thanks to ceramic and full body PPF. I didn't bother airing down at Box Canyon and was just fine, but really glad I aired down at Bulldog Canyon. Made a huge difference. That hill pictured in the Bulldog Canyon photos is way steeper than it looks, but the R1T in Rock Crawl mode handled it easily.

1) Box Canyon in Wickenburg, AZ (not the Box Canyon in Florence, AZ) on 12/26/2022:

2) Bulldog Canyon FR10 in Mesa, AZ on 12/27/2022

Sponsored

 

[MrMetlHed]

Live in Phoenix and have basically zero off-road experience (except for when I was in high school and bought a ridiculous used Jeep with giant tires I beat the snot out of) -- would you recommend either of these trails for super beginners? Honestly, I feel like I should take a class or something around here, so many beautiful places to go.

 

[shrink]

Live in Phoenix and have basically zero off-road experience (except for when I was in high school and bought a ridiculous used Jeep with giant tires I beat the snot out of) -- would you recommend either of these trails for super beginners? Honestly, I feel like I should take a class or something around here, so many beautiful places to go.

Definitely not Bulldog Canyon. Maybe on Box Canyon in Wickenburg, but I'd recommend something even easier for safety and experience.

Search for the book:

Guide to Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails 3rd Edition by Charles A. Wells

Start with an "Easy" trail, which are labeled in green. Moderates are labeled in Blue and Difficult in Red.

Box Canyon is "easy" according to this book, but I think it was between easy and moderate. There were a couple tricky wash crossings and the conditions could get pretty scary if it rains. Bulldog is classified as moderate and I think the rating is appropriate, so definitely not a beginner trail.

Trailsoffroad.com is another good resource. Look for an Easy trail there to get started:

https://www.trailsoffroad.com/states/AZ

 

[MrMetlHed]

Guide to Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails 3rd Edition by Charles A. Wells

Thanks for the book tip, I'll have to check that out.

Will definitely look for an easy trail the first few times out. If only because my 4-year-old will start screaming in terror if there's too many bumps.

 

[ScottnAZ]

Fun trails! Looks like the Hassayampa River is running pretty low. It should be a couple feet deep in spring; easy enough for Rivian’s 43” water fording height claim.

We’ve run these in our Defender, haven’t taken the Riv out there yet.

thanks for sharing!

 

[av8or]

Definitely not Bulldog Canyon. Maybe on Box Canyon in Wickenburg, but I'd recommend something even easier for safety and experience.

Search for the book:

Guide to Arizona Backroads & 4-Wheel-Drive Trails 3rd Edition by Charles A. Wells

Start with an "Easy" trail, which are labeled in green. Moderates are labeled in Blue and Difficult in Red.

Box Canyon is "easy" according to this book, but I think it was between easy and moderate. There were a couple tricky wash crossings and the conditions could get pretty scary if it rains. Bulldog is classified as moderate and I think the rating is appropriate, so definitely not a beginner trail.

Trailsoffroad.com is another good resource. Look for an Easy trail there to get started:

https://www.trailsoffroad.com/states/AZ

Super advise! Start easy and work up slow. Also I say get both app and book, I keep the books in my Jeep and have found them fantastic and it doesn’t need cell service.

 

[krockett]

Thanks for the book tip, I'll have to check that out.

Will definitely look for an easy trail the first few times out. If only because my 4-year-old will start screaming in terror if there's too many bumps.

Just make sure you try and go with a buddy (in another vehicle). Off-roading by yourself is generally not advisable, especially if you’re new.

 

[electruck4x4]

Nice shots! We ran Bull Dog Canyon and Four Peaks last time I was in town and found them to be pretty straight forward. The only remotely challenging part was a couple hundred foot hill climb up some rocks. (Below. Pardon the graininess).

We also managed to escape without much pin striping, which is an accomplishment on any AZ trail. I'm hoping to make it back to Sycamore Creek sometime soon, but have heard it's been trashed quite a bit from when I used to go in the early 2000's.

Traills Offroad and Fun Treks both have great coverage in terms of trail map. I also found this site to be pretty comprehensive: https://azoffroad.net/offroad-trails

 

[MrMetlHed]

Just make sure you try and go with a buddy (in another vehicle). Off-roading by yourself is generally not advisable, especially if you’re new.

Ha, that's good advice. I'm new to AZ, so that's something I'll have to work on figuring out. Maybe meeting some people at whatever easy trail I find is an option.

Traills Offroad and Fun Treks both have great coverage in terms of trail map. I also found this site to be pretty comprehensive: https://azoffroad.net/offroad-trails

That website looks super useful. Thanks for the tip.

When I had my First Drive in Phoenix the workers there said they all got taken to their proving grounds in Phoenix to do some off-roading taught by an expert. I wish they'd have the same thing for the average Joe owner. Maybe someday.

 

[carl]

Has anyone done the back road to Crown King yet? There is one section that has a rather intense step, but other than that, I think it should be cake walk. Thinking about doing it after I get my R1S in a few weeks.

 

[utahbadger]

Live in Phoenix and have basically zero off-road experience (except for when I was in high school and bought a ridiculous used Jeep with giant tires I beat the snot out of) -- would you recommend either of these trails for super beginners? Honestly, I feel like I should take a class or something around here, so many beautiful places to go.

Use trailsoffroad.com. SUPER easy to find beginner trails along with incredible directions as you are on the trail. Seriously, this has been a great tool I've used plenty of times. Definitely adds comfort when you can see all the obstacles before you drive it - they also usually have a video that you can watch beforehand.

edit: Sorry, didn't read through all the comments. Looks like this has been suggested a few times.

Sponsored