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The last turnoff from Arizona’s Apache Trail drops sharply into a narrow track. It ends about a mile in, where the view opens across Apache Lake and everyone has to find room to turn around. 00:00 Apache Trail and the History Beneath Roosevelt Lake 01:07 Burnt Corral Loop 04:21 Old Quarry Hill 07:09 SR-88 and Apache Lake Canyon Views 07:47 Powerline Point: The Narrow Descent 08:35 The Powerline Lookout 09:16 Back on Apache Trail In this companion film to our larger Apache Trail trip, we follow three side routes off SR-88: Burnt Corral Loop, Old Quarry Hill, and Powerline Point. Along the way, we look back at why Apache Trail was built and how Roosevelt Lake covered irrigation canals that Native American communities once used to farm beside the Salt River. At Powerline Point, brush crowds the track, so expect a little pinstriping. The lookout has an expansive view of Apache Lake, but turning space is limited. If you’re bringing a group, I’d keep it to four vehicles or fewer. If you’ve seen our drives on Apache Trail, Deer Hill Trail, and Two Bar Ridge, this film picks up with three more turnoffs. Which one would you take first?

We cross the Four Peaks range east of Phoenix, climbing from the Sonoran Desert into the high country with Cliffside roads, rocky detours, and a shoreline usually hidden underwater - join us for an Apache Trail adventure through Arizona’s canyon country. We take the Jeep Gladiator and two Toyota Tacomas through the desert, exploring Deer Hill before continuing along the Apache Trail toward Fish Creek, Tortilla Flat, and Canyon Lake. Along the way, we trace the road’s connection to Roosevelt Dam, take in the views around Apache Lake, and follow the winding shelf road through Fish Creek’s towering canyon walls. At Canyon Lake, lowered water exposes shoreline and terrain that give us a different view of this familiar landscape. Come along for off-road driving, Arizona history, and a closer look at the country beyond the pavement. CHAPTERS 00:00 Apache Trail adventure preview 01:15 Roosevelt Dam & the story of the Apache Trail 02:45 Deer Hill off-road exploration 09:00 Back on the Apache Trail & Apache Lake 12:45 Fish Creek canyon & cliffside driving 16:30 Tortilla Flat 17:00 Canyon Lake’s exposed shoreline 19:15 Bonus trail moments & Tacoma walkaround Which part would you most like to explore—Deer Hill, Fish Creek, or Canyon Lake? Let us know in the comments. Subscribe to Hardline Outdoor + Offroad for more backroads, trail adventures, and the stories behind the places we explore.

We cross the Four Peaks range east of Phoenix, climbing from the Sonoran Desert into the high country before leaving the Jeep to walk a section of the Arizona Trail. From there, we descend into Tonto Basin, a landscape people have lived in and moved through for thousands of years. Our final destination is the Upper Cliff Dwelling at Tonto National Monument — a roughly 40-room village built into a natural alcove more than 700 years ago. Along the way, we look at how elevation changes the environment, how the Arizona Trail follows the mountain terrain, and how water, shelter, and access shaped human settlement in Tonto Basin. This is less about reaching a single destination and more about understanding how the landscape connects the road, the trail, and the cliff dwelling. Route highlights: 0:00 Intro 1:05 Four Peaks Trail 3:15 Granite and Mountain Basins 4:19 Wash Out 5:06 Arizona Trail - Passage 20 6:14 Edwards Peak 6:45 Decending into Tonto Basin 9:00 Roosevelt Lake Rapieran Area 9:53 Tonto National Monument 11:28 Cliff Dwelling 13:35 Apache Trail is Next Subscrive to stay connected - Part two continues at Roosevelt Dam, where we follow the historic Apache Trail west toward Tortilla Flat and Canyon Lake.

There are faster ways to get from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. We chose the slower one, crossing the Mojave Desert on dirt tracks instead of following I-15. In Part 2 of our Mojave crossing, we continue east along the Mojave Road, descend into Afton Canyon, finish the historic route near Nipton, and then turn north toward Nevada. Along the way, the desert shifts from volcanic canyons and sandy washes to broad dry lake beds, abandoned mining country, and the Joshua tree-covered uplands near Goodsprings. Read the route review: https://www.hardlinehq.com/post/los-angeles-to-las-vegas-on-dirt-mojave-desert-crossing-part-2 Cross the Mojave Desert on dirt tracks instead of the I-15. See how we navigated remote trails from Nipton to the Las Vegas Strip. In this second half of our journey, we push further east across the Mojave Road, descending into the rugged terrain of Afton Canyon before heading north toward Nevada. We navigate through abandoned mining country, dry lake beds, and historic sites like the Liberty Sculpture Park, which features large-scale memorials that stand in stark contrast to the surrounding wilderness. Beyond Nipton, the route shifts into the Joshua tree-covered uplands near Goodsprings, a town famous for its mining history and appearance in Fallout: New Vegas. This trip highlights the reality of long-distance off-road travel, covering everything from volcanic landscapes to the final, dusty miles before reaching the Strip. Subscribe to Hardline Outdoor + Offroad for more off-road travel guides and route breakdowns. Tell us in the comments if you prefer solo desert exploration or traveling with a convoy. 0:00 Setting Out ontop the Mojave Road 1:11 Dropping into Afton Canyon 2:21 Depth of Afton Canyon 3:15 Liberty Sculpture Park 4:00 Victim of Communism 4:30 Tiananmen Square Tank Man 5:10 Communism is Always a Failure 5:50 Finishing the Mojave at Nipton 6:40 Swiming with Major Jim 8:00 Exploring Nipton Burning Man Sculptures 9:46 Departing for the Dry Lake S#it Rig 10:40 Goodspring Nevada Fallout New Vegas 12:23 Reflections at Trails End 13:26 Outro on the Strip Afton Canyon is one of the most distinctive sections of the route, where the Mojave River has cut through layers of desert rock and created one of the few places along the road where water can regularly reach the surface. From there, we continue toward Nipton before stopping at Liberty Sculpture Park, where large-scale works address the history and consequences of Communist governments, including a memorial to the victims of Communism and a sculpture depicting the Tiananmen Square “Tank Man.” Nipton marks the end of our Mojave Road run and the beginning of the next leg toward Nevada. We take some time to explore the town and its collection of Burning Man sculptures before heading back into the desert. Beyond Nipton, the route crosses open country and dry lake terrain on the way toward Goodsprings, Nevada. Goodsprings grew around mining during the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries and later became familiar to a new generation through its appearance in Fallout: New Vegas. The final miles take us out of the backcountry and toward Las Vegas, bringing several days of dirt travel, desert history, mining country, and remote roads to an end on the Strip. This video shows the route as we experienced it, including the terrain, historic stops, changing desert landscapes, and the practical reality of covering long distances off pavement. If you enjoy overlanding, Mojave Desert history, mining roads, ghost towns, and off-road travel, subscribe to Hardline Outdoor + Offroad for more trail videos and trip breakdowns.

There are faster ways to get from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. We chose the slower one—crossing the Mojave Desert on dirt tracks. Skip the crowded I-15 and traverse the Mojave Desert on a rugged, off-road route from Los Angeles to Las Vegas. Experience the isolation of the backcountry while navigating harsh terrain and historic sites. 0:00 Setting Out Into the Mojave Desert 1:24 Exploring the Evening Star Mine 2:42 Testing Kia Vehicles Off-Road 7:59 Surviving the Heat at Cuddyback Lake 10:19 Reflections at the Husky Memorial This expedition prioritizes backcountry navigation over convenience, taking you deep into the heart of the desert. We avoid the major thoroughfares to document a raw, challenging path that requires careful planning. If you are preparing for your own Mojave Desert crossing, you will see exactly what the trail conditions look like, from vast, cracked dry lake beds to the dense stands of Joshua trees that define this arid wilderness. Beyond the natural beauty, we stop at several abandoned mining sites that litter the landscape, offering a glimpse into the region's forgotten industrial past. This route is designed for those who want to test their vehicle and their patience on one of the most demanding stretches of land in California. The footage provides a realistic look at the obstacles you might face when leaving the pavement behind. Subscribe for more off-road travel guides and route breakdowns. Tell us in the comments if you prefer solo desert exploration or traveling with a convoy.

We’re taking the long way from Crown King to Prescott, following Senator Highway across the Bradshaw Mountains on one of Arizona’s most historic off-road routes. 0:00 Exploring the Local Fire Department's New Gear 1:02 Setting Out on the Senator Highway 6:06 Discovering the History of Horse Thief Basin 10:18 Tackling the Rugged Rock Garden Obstacles 14:39 A Historic Stop at Palace Station The day begins near Cleator and climbs through the old mining corridor associated with the Impossible Railroad. From Crown King, we head into Horsethief Basin, visit the lake and lookout, then return to the main route and turn north toward Prescott. 📍Senator Highway on TrailsOffroad: https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/arizona/trails/76-senator-highway 💰TrailsOffroad Discount Code: https://click-myl.ink/3uej95h2 The trail brings narrow shelf roads, steep grades, rough forest sections, blind corners, and the Rock Garden—the main technical obstacle on the route. Farther north, we stop at Palace Station, built in 1875 as a stage stop for travelers moving between Prescott and the surrounding mining districts. This drive combines Arizona off-road travel with mining history, stagecoach routes, Civilian Conservation Corps sites, and remote mountain scenery.

America’s newest national park is part of a much older story. Join us as we explore Chiricahua’s towering rock spires, hike Echo Canyon, and travel west to Cochise Stronghold—a rugged refuge where Cochise and the Chiricahua Apache defended their homeland. Filmed while Chiricahua was still a national monument, this southeastern Arizona adventure takes us through Willcox, across Willcox Playa, and into the sky islands, where desert basins give way to wooded mountains. Chiricahua’s “Wonderland of Rocks” began with a volcanic eruption about 27 million years ago. Protected since 1924, it has now been redesignated through the Chiricahua National Park Act, recognizing the landscape’s natural and cultural significance. From volcanic stone corridors to the granite canyons of Cochise Stronghold, this journey explores landscapes deeply connected to Apache history. Read the full trip story on Hardline HQ: https://www.hardlinehq.com/post/sky-islands-overland Explore the diverse landscapes of Southeastern Arizona as we travel from wide-open basins to the unique Sky Island region. See the dramatic volcanic rock formations of the Chiricahua Mountains and the stone grottoes of Echo Canyon firsthand. This journey documents a route through the Sky Island region, starting with the vineyard-lined roads of the low basins before ascending into the high-altitude terrain. Viewers interested in geology and Arizona road trip routes will appreciate the transition from ancient dry lake beds to the rugged peaks where wildlife sightings and summer storms are common. By following this path through Southeastern Arizona, you gain a better understanding of the elevation changes and specific landmarks that define this area. We focus on the natural beauty found within the Chiricahua Mountains, highlighting specific formations accessible to travelers navigating the park. Subscribe for weekly travel guides and landscape explorations, and let us know in the comments if you prefer visiting Arizona during the monsoon season or the dry months. Read the full article on Hardline HQ: https://www.hardlinehq.com/post/sky-islands-overland 00:00 Introduction to Sky Island Country 0:50 Willcox Vineyards 1:39 History of Willcox Playa 2:33 Monsoon Weather and Transition 3:29 Chiricahua National Monument Hiking 4:50 Diversity of Sky Island Habitats 6:15 Exploring Cochise Stronghold 7:12 Camping at China Camp 7:57 Connecting the Landscapes 8:42 Final Reflections

At the end of Part 1, our Mojave Desert trip had already started changing shape. What began as a straightforward route from Parker Dam toward Nelson turned into a much bigger problem by the time we reached camp at Lake Mohave. In this second part, the route takes a back seat as we try to figure out what failed on Mario’s Jeep, make a tough call from a remote riverside camp, and head back to town for parts before attempting a trailside repair. What followed was part diagnosis, part recovery effort, and part attempt to keep the trip alive. Over the first two days of this trip, we had already covered nearly 200 miles of Mojave Desert trails through eastern California and Nevada, working through volcanic canyons, old mining country, historic desert routes, and camps along the Colorado River. But in Part 2, the story shifts from the route itself to the decisions and repairs that would determine whether we could keep moving north at all. This is Part 2 of our run across the Mojave. Route Highlights ================ 00:00 Part 1 Re-cap 01:10 Morning at Lake Mohave Camp 02:00 Four Men Two Dogs Burnt Jeep 04:59 Overlanding without a Battery 05:45 Be a Man 07:39 Cal-Nev-Ari 08:40 Empire Wash Road 09:10 Mead David Powerline Road 10:22 Roller Coaster Trail Oro Plata Mine 13:25 28 Degree Down 14:20 Nelson Ghost Town 14:30 Outro #MojaveDesert #Overlanding #OffRoad #ParkerDam #NelsonNevada #MojaveRoad #LakeMohave #DesertTravel #JeepTrail #Hardline

We started this trip at Parker Dam on the Colorado River, working north across more than 280 miles of Mojave Desert backroads toward Nelson, Nevada. The route follows a mix of old mining roads, desert tracks, and historic corridors along the river, linking together a wide cross section of Mojave terrain. 00:54 Parker Dam 01:45 Dynamite Canyon 02:08 Whipple Wash Cave 04:25 West Well Archeological Site 04:50 Heritage Trail 07:43 Mojave Preserve & Leiser Ray Mine 10:45 Fort Piute 12:32 Mojave Road to Old Government Road 15:45 Visiting Mojave Lake Telephone Cove 16:16 Grapevine Canyon Petroglyphs 17:13 Christmas Tree Pass 17:46 Mine Site Empire Wash 18:00 Battery Fire on Powerline Road 18:20 Nine Mile Cove Outro Early into the trip, a flat tire slowed the pace. Later, a mechanical issue with one of the Jeeps forced a bigger adjustment to the route. Like most trips out here, the plan changed once we got into the trail, and the story became shaped by the stops in between as much as the destinations themselves. Along the way we moved through volcanic canyons, cholla fields, and old mining country, passing Mojave Road landmarks, camps along the Colorado River, Lake Mohave, Grapevine Canyon, Christmas Tree Pass, and the hills outside Nelson. This is a run across the Mojave Desert — from Parker Dam to Nelson. TrailsOffroad --------------------- Mohave Road: https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/california/trails/1043-mojave-road Parker Needles Wagon Road: https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/california/scout-routes/4901-parker-needles-wagon-road?mapClickSource=map-listing Christmas Tree Pass: https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/nevada/trails/3984-christmas-tree-pass #MojaveDesert #Overlanding #OffRoad #ParkerDam #NelsonNevada #MojaveRoad #LakeMohave #DesertTravel #JeepTrail #Hardline