There is always something to explore in Arizona and if you haven’t heard of the Great Western Trail (GWT), you are in for a treat. It is a corridor of trails traversing Arizona, Utah, Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana covering diverse and sometimes treacherous terrain as it wraps through desert, woodlands, dense forest, canyons and alpine meadows.
If you are visiting Arizona, you just may want to explore some of this state’s 800-mile portion, and you can do it by foot, ATV, bicycle, horseback, snowmobile, or any 4-wheel drive vehicle.
There are a couple of options for exploring the GWT not too far out of Phoenix. You can get on the trail at Bulldog Canyon in the Tonto National Forest by driving east on I-60, or there is a 72-mile segment of the trail that starts out of Cave Creek winding through the Sears-Kay Ruin discovery point to the Seven Springs Campground and then over Bloody Basin Road, crossing the Agua Fria National Monument and over Mingus Mountain to arrive at Martin Canyon arriving near Prescott.
While on the trail, you may want to remind yourself that it spans five states, 18 National Forests, Indian, State and Bureau of Land Management lands and is the very route that pioneers, ranchers and Mormon Honeymooners used.
Most people experience the Great Western Trail via ATV, but there are the adventurous that set out on foot as well. Regardless of your mode of exploration, be certain to take water, food and maps and never go it alone. Tell someone at home the route you will be taking and when they can expect you back. In many areas a cell phone won’t work, but GPS will!
A great resource to plan your trip: Driving the Great Western Trail in Arizona: An Off-road Travel Guide to the Great Western Trail by Raymond and Jennifer Andrews.
Once you have your plan in place, head out and enjoy the Arizona wildlife, exotic plants, and breathtaking rock formations that will share a little of earth’s history. Oh, and don’t forget your camera!
Looking for Arizona golf homes for sale? Contact us at 480-405-4228 or fill out the contact form below. Make AZGolfHomes.com your “go to” source for Scottsdale golf community and real estate information.
Don Matheson
Realtor | Founder
The Matheson Team – RE/MAX Fine Properties
21000 N. Pima Rd., #100, Scottsdale, AZ 85255
480-405-4228
don@azgolfhomes.com
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