Trail Overview
This bypass branches directly off the popular Montana Mountain Loop, providing a scenic and engaging connector route to the backside of Queen Valley within the Tonto National Forest. This trail is an exceptional training ground for novice off-roaders looking to advance their technical driving skills. It packs a diverse sample of classic Arizona desert driving into one run, featuring off-camber sections, chunky rock gardens, sandy wash crossings, and deep, eroded ruts. Drivers will also navigate mild uphill climbs, steep downgrades, and a few small, manageable rock ledges. A convenient staging area is located near the start of the route, making it perfect for unloading UTVs, ATVs, or dirt bikes. The route kicks off immediately with an artificial obstacle—crossing a set of railroad tracks and an adjacent pipe. High-clearance vehicles are required to navigate the ruts and rocks safely. Beyond the driving, the trail offers breathtaking views of the surrounding desert landscape, multiple primitive dispersed camping spots, and excellent rockhounding opportunities.
Difficulty
This trail is rated a 3/10 because it requires a high-clearance vehicle based entirely on the specific obstacles drivers must navigate. The route begins immediately with a mandatory railroad track and pipe crossing, which excludes standard passenger cars. Once on the trail, drivers must navigate a continuous mix of technical features, including very rocky terrain, deep eroded ruts, and small rock ledges that require basic tire placement to protect the undercarriage. The trail also includes steep downgrades, uphill climbs, and off-camber driving sections that test a vehicle's stability, along with multiple sandy wash crossings.
