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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. 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.

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

Explore the Constellation Road Trail in Arizona, a scenic route blending easy dirt tracks with rugged mining and ranching history. See what makes this trail unique before you head out. This video documents a journey along the Constellation Road Trail, perfect for anyone looking to navigate Arizona off roading routes that offer both historical interest and natural beauty. We start on an accessible dirt track and gradually move into terrain shaped by decades of local industry, specifically focusing on the remnants of an old mining system. Beyond the history, you will see the path leading toward the edge of the Hacienda River Wilderness. The footage provides a clear perspective on the trail conditions and the landmarks you can expect to encounter. Whether you are planning a weekend trip or just curious about Arizona trails, this guide covers the route's progression and key points of interest. If you enjoy finding new off road trails to explore, subscribe for weekly Arizona trail breakdowns. Leave a comment letting me know which area of Arizona you want to see covered next. 📍 Full Trip Write-Up (Hardline HQ): https://www.hardlinehq.com/post/constellation-road 🗺️ Trail Info (TrailsOffroad): Constellation Road https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/arizona/trails/3260-constellation-road Buckhorn Springs https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/arizona/trails/3367-buckhorn-springs

This is a full aerial and overland look at the Utah Backcountry Discovery Route - an 800-mile journey running north through the spine of Utah. In our group was collection of Jeep Wranglers, Jeep Gladiators, an Ineos Greandier and Rivian R1S. We begin in the desert landscapes near Valley of the Gods, move through Utah's Canyonlands Country around Moab, and continue into the higher elevations of the Uinta Mountains. Along the way, the terrain shifts from sandstone buttes and dry washes to alpine forest and mountain passes, showing just how varied the Utah BDR really is. For the full story, including daily routes, camps, and trail details, this video is part of an 8-part Utah BDR series. ▶ Watch the full Utah BDR series here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaC6FQYDffwL1pA7gXiYumWtPipCqrWBK ▶ Read more on the Utah BDR along with my Day by Day recaps: https://www.hardlinehq.com/blog/categories/utah-backcountry-discovery-route

Turkey Creek Trail is one of those routes that feels close to Phoenix but still manages to pull you into quiet country fast. Located roughly 30 miles north of the city near Black Canyon City, this trail winds along the lower slopes of the Bradshaw Mountains, dropping in and out of a series of rugged desert canyons before finishing near the small mining-era town of Cleator. 01:03 Trailhead 02:00 Black Canyon Creek 04:00 Ascending Back Roads 04:49 Rutty Mining Roads 05:21 Howard Copper Mine 07:45 Narrow Ledge Obstacle 10:45 Turkey Creek Traverse 12:22 Poland Creek Crossing 14:35 Crested Saguaro 16:00 Headed towards Cleator 18:05 Outro 📰 Full trip write-up and photos here: https://www.hardlinehq.com/post/turkey-creek-trail-to-cleator-canyons-water-crossings-and-old-mining-roads The route runs like a rollercoaster through Black Canyon, Dead Cow Gulch, and Turkey Creek Canyon. Along the way, it passes the remains of silver and gold mining activity that dates back to the early 1900s. Rusted equipment, old roads, and disturbed hillsides are quiet reminders of how hard people once worked this ground. Terrain is consistently rocky, with multiple water crossings that change character depending on recent weather. Nothing here is rushed. The trail rewards patience, good line choice, and a willingness to take the long way around. Views open up frequently across the canyon systems, especially as the trail climbs above Turkey Creek. The run eventually drops into Cleator, home to the Cleator Bar and Yacht Club — a fittingly strange and memorable end point after hours of technical driving and canyon travel. It’s a short trail on paper, but one that takes time and attention. Trail Guide ============================== Hardline readers looking for detailed GPS tracks, current conditions, and obstacle walkthroughs can check out the official TrailsOffroad write-up for this route: 👉 TrailsOffroad – Turkey Creek Cleator Trail (https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/arizona/trails/1770-turkey-creek-trail-cleator) - Detailed technical guide, difficulty ratings, and current conditions. Use TrailsOffroad with our 'Discount Code' (https://trailsoffroad.com/all-access?coupon=hardline_hq) to save on a TrailsOffroad membership and unlock thousands of trail guides across the Southwest and beyond.

Utah BDR Day 3 Segment 2 — Elk Mountain to Lockhart Basin Our Utah Backcountry Discovery Route adventure continues high in the Abajo Mountains, waking up to cool air and the sound of wind through the pines at Elk Mountain. The forest glows with fall color — golden aspens lighting up the road ahead as we climb toward the top of the range. Read the full article here: https://www.hardlinehq.com/post/utab-bdr-segment-2-elk-mountain-to-lockhart-basin 0:05 Intro from Elk Mountain 0:58 Utah BDR Map 2:25 Swithbacks Gooseberry 3:29 The Notch in Elk Ridge 3:52 North Creek Pass 4:16 Creek Road to Monticello 5:15 Newspaper Rock Petroglyph 6:23 Lockhard Basin Start 7:45 Hamburger Rocks 8:05 Indian Creek 9:16 Airing Down 10:20 Epic Traverse of Lockhart Basin 14:30 Climbing the Escarpment 18:06 Shelf Roads and Obstacles 19:25 Stairs the Whole Way Up 21:36 Arriving at Escarpment Campsite 22:18 Outro From there, we traverse the ridge northwest, reaching North Creek Pass — at 10,312 feet, the highest point on the Utah BDR. From the top, the views stretch out for miles, across canyon country that we’ll spend the next several days exploring. Descending from the pass, we drop into Monticello, Utah, for fuel and supplies before heading west toward Indian Creek Canyon. Along the way, we stop at Newspaper Rock, where thousands of years of stories are carved into the sandstone — hunters, bighorn, spirals, and symbols from the Ancestral Puebloan people who once traveled this same route. By midafternoon, we turn off the pavement and onto Lockhart Basin Road, the start of the BDR’s advanced route. The road winds through sandstone domes, past Hamburger Rock, and across Indian Creek, before climbing into the vast red landscape that parallels Canyonlands National Park. We end the day camped high on a slickrock ledge overlooking the basin — the perfect stop before tackling tomorrow’s technical sections on the way toward Moab. 👉 Watch the Full Utah BDR Series: Segment 1: Phoenix – Valley of the Gods (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mfvxd7KWPIw) Segement 2: Elk Mountain to Lockhart Basin (this video) Segement 3: Lockhart Basin to Moab - https://youtu.be/WXWY5-iPZyo?si=kG-rZPnLl8qVc9wU https://www.hardlinehq.com #UtahBDR #BackcountryDiscoveryRoute #HardlineOutdoor #Overlanding #LockhartBasin #UtahOffroad #MonticelloUtah #Canyonlands #OverlandTravel #4x4Adventure

Our Utah Backcountry Discovery Route adventure begins with the long road north — leaving Phoenix and climbing into the cool pine forests around Flagstaff, where we meet up with the Offroad Overland Camping crew and prepare for the days ahead. Read the full article here: https://www.hardlinehq.com/post/utah-bdr-phoenix-to-blanding-valley-of-the-gods 00:00 Intro Leaving Phoenix Heading North 01:00 Overview of the Utah BDR 04:00 Meeting in Flagstaff 04:47 Roadside Breakdown #1 06:00 Navajo Nation 07:00 Roadside Breakdown #2 07:40 Camping at Valley of the Gods 08:10 Day 2 Starting Off in Valley of the Gods 09:51 Ascending Moki Dugway 12:35 Snow Flat Route Emigrant Trail 14:00 The Twist 14:32 Comb Wash Route 14:48 Wolfman Petroglyph Ruins 15:25 Butler Wash Route & Ruins 16:25 Blanding Utah to Elk Mountain 17:10 Outro We cross into southern Utah, setting camp beneath the towering buttes of Valley of the Gods, before taking on one of the most iconic climbs in the Southwest — the Moki Dugway — three miles of steep dirt switchbacks carved into the cliffs of Cedar Mesa. At the top, we trace the route of the Emigrant Trail, also known as the Snow Flat Road, the same corridor once followed by the Hole-in-the-Rock pioneers in 1880. From the slickrock of The Twist to the scenic drive along Butler Wash, we explore ancient history carved into stone at the Wolfman Petroglyphs and Butler Wash Ruins. 👉 Subscribe to Hardline Outdoor + Offroad for more overlanding adventures and Utah BDR episodes: https://www.youtube.com/@hardlinehq https://www.hardlinehq.com/post/utah-bdr-phoenix-to-blanding-valley-of-the-gods Plan Your Own Route -------------------- Download GPS tracks, see the official route map, and plan your logistics. Use TrailsOffroad with our 'Discount Code' https://trailsoffroad.com/all-access?coupon=hardline_hq. Valley of the Gods https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/utah/trails/610-valley-of-the-gods Snow Flat Route https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/utah/scout-routes/7-snow-flat-road Butler Wash https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/utah/scout-routes/1327-butler-wash Elk Mountain https://www.trailsoffroad.com/US/utah/trails/3636-elk-mountain