Trail Overview
Muggins Mountain Red Bluff East is a scenic 9.4-mile off-road trail near Wellton, Arizona, that offers gorgeous desert scenery varying from sandy washes and dry creek beds to rocky cliffs and low hills. This trail is ideal for beginners and experienced offroaders alike looking for a relaxed drive through remote desert landscapes teeming with various cacti, desert plants, and local fauna like horned toads, lizards, and snakes. The route spans elevations from 236 to 550 feet, featuring an uneven, rutted dirt surface with potential for loose rocks and sandy washes. Drivers can expect minor trail obstacles up to 12 inches, including small ledges and short, steep grades.
Dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s, these routes were originally blazed by prospectors seeking gold and silver, adding a touch of historical charm to the journey. The trail is typically one vehicle wide with scattered spots to pull over and pass oncoming traffic. When planning a trip, keep a close eye on the weather, particularly during the summer monsoon season, as sudden rains bring extreme flash flooding that can quickly wash away roads and vehicles in low-lying washes. Access is straightforward from either US Highway 95 to the west or Wellton to the south, and properly licensed side-by-sides and quads are permitted on most paved roads in this area of Arizona.
Difficulty
This is an uneven, rutted dirt trail with potential for loose rocks and sandy washes. Water crossings are less than a foot deep. There's a potential for mud holes and trail obstacles up to 12 inches, including ledges and short, steep grades. Roads are typically one vehicle wide with places to pass.
History
These trails were originally blazed in the late 1800s to early 1900s by prospectors seeking gold and silver.
