This trip ended up with just myself and Sergio (Checo).. We headed out from the meeting place at around 8:50am and ended up getting stuck in traffic for over an hour in one of the worst backups I've ever seen on I17. Traffic was at a standstill and people were out of their cars wandering around. Pretty crazy.

Eventually, by around 10:30 or so, we made it up to the trailhead/turnoff for Bloody Basin road. The road itself is mostly just a washboard dirt road.. but it has a few sections that keep your attention and cannot be driven fast. There were a few spots with moguls and real washed out areas.

We explored a few side trails along the way. Both of which were really fun. FR44 proved to be a great place to stop and eat lunch, as it was forested and well shaded.

We made our way past the Carefree turnoff (usually the end of Bloody Basin road) and proceeded on a much rougher road that heads down to the Sheep Bridge. This bridge was constructed originally about 150 years ago by a shepherd/entrepreneur to move sheep across the Verde river easily.

We crossed the Verde at the river ford on the beach and made our way south to hook up to the Horseshoe dam road. This would take us back to Carefee easily without having to backtrack on the nasty road we took to get to Sheep Bridge.
Most of this road was smooth sand/dirt.. but there was one ledge that I didnt see.. and ended up JUMPING my truck off it into a big pile of sand/powder below. There was so much dust that I couldnt see anything for a minute after that. hahaha I didnt break anything at least.. so it was cool.

Then we ran into the bus driver from hell. It was one of those big church vans heading out from Horseshoe dam on the dirt road. They were only going about 20, and there was a line of traffic behind them. They wouldnt get over to let anyone by. So, one truck squeezes by.. then Sergio slips around. So, the guy moves over to the side and I start to go around.. then he pulls all the way to the left side of the road!!! As I'm trying to go around him.. He tried to run me off the road!!! I almost had to put the truck into the ditch but thankfully my brakes worked well enough I could lock them up and move back behind him. About 2 miles up the road, the road turned to pavement.. when we reached this, the guy pulled off to the right and slowed down to a stop, as if to let me over.. I get up there and start to go around him and he gasses it..just as im rolling past him.. So, it turns into a drag race.. as he is **determined** to not let me around. My truck was faster, so I got around him, but I swear, some people just shouldnt be allowed to drive.

All in all, the scenery was incredible. I would highly recommend this trail for those that just want to get out and see the scenery without being too difficult. Just watch out for crazy churchbus drivers while you are out there.

---------------------------

The huge traffic jam we hit on the way up there:


Checo running down one of the obstacles on FR588:


Typical upper Bloody Basin Road:


Me coming over a hill on FR44:


Checo coming over a hill on Fr44:


Shady spot on FR44 where we had lunch:


Typical FR44 trail:


The ULTIMATE Tent city spot!!! THere is a concrete pad right in the center that would be perfect for backing the trucks around:


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[This message was edited by datz510 on 08-04-02 at 12:52 PM.]

Overlooking lower Bloody Basin Road..


One of the switchbacks coming down off the ridge:


Lower desert scenery at the bottom of the ridge:


The Sheep Bridge:


Checo crossing the Verde:


Me crossing the Verde:


Checo on another river crossing:


Checo posing on a rock:


Playin in the water:


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[This message was edited by datz510 on 08-04-02 at 12:55 PM.]

I would have been there if everyone showed up on time.....


GOT BOULDER??????????

quote:

---

Then we ran into the bus driver from hell. It was one of those big church vans heading out from Horseshoe dam on the dirt road. They were only going about 20, and there was a line of traffic behind them. They wouldnt get over to let anyone by. So, one truck squeezes by.. then Sergio slips around. So, the guy moves over to the side and I start to go around.. then he pulls all the way to the left side of the road!!! As I'm trying to go around him.. He tried to run me off the road!!! I almost had to put the truck into the ditch but thankfully my brakes worked well enough I could lock them up and move back behind him. About 2 miles up the road, the road turned to pavement.. when we reached this, the guy pulled off to the right and slowed down to a stop, as if to let me over.. I get up there and start to go around him and he gasses it..just as im rolling past him.. So, it turns into a drag race.. as he is **determined** to not let me around. My truck was faster, so I got around him, but I swear, some people just shouldnt be allowed to drive.

All in all, the scenery was incredible. I would highly recommend this trail for those that just want to get out and see the scenery without being too difficult. Just watch out for crazy churchbus drivers while you are out there.

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http://www.netsnapshot.com/pcw/pickalbum?roadtrips

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that sounds like me ten years ago, hahahaha, I used to do that shit all the time..... But I since gotton older and have better road manners (ocassional speeding is about the only illegal thing I do anymore).

GOT BOULDER??????????

nice pics! We made it up here and I'm reading this from Wyoming. Will post details someplace else in a minute....

Hopefully Checo becomes a permanent fixture on our runs


1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock

What can I say... Well, to describe it in one word.........FUN!!!

DR, I do belive I will now become an active member on the trail runs. As Datz said, there were a lot of fun trails over there that I would like to go over. The next time I'm taking my wife.. I know she will like it cause my sister had a BLAST!!!

I wanna thank John (datz) for helping this time. He's an awsome guy to wheel with! He waited for me, cause I'm a little slow and inexperienced, and directed the whole way (except when I had to pass him and the 'van from hell' ).

By this experience, my 3 next mods are:

-CB radio
-3" suspension lift (w/new shocks)
-Snorkel (the watter got pretty high on the river crossing)


http://www3.gratisweb.com/checoyroxy/ChecoyRoxipink.html
"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." - Words of Wisdom

Looks like fun, that is one trail I have run many times. Good to see a hardbody in some of the AZ pics for a change. Hope to wheel with you sometime Checo.

hey Orange, any time you want to go, let me know! i'm in for it.. maybe we can do a little wife-picnic thing so I can get my wife hooked on this .

We can also take the kids.. Sebastian is 20 months old.. I'll bet they would have a good time playing around on the dirt!


http://www3.gratisweb.com/checoyroxy/ChecoyRoxipink.html
"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." - Words of Wisdom

That sounds fun. Are you planning on going on the labor day trip. I am trying to talk Molly into going with on that trip although I think we will have to leave the baby at my moms for the weekend. Would be cool if you could go.

I really want to do that labor day trip. I believe I will be able to make it.


http://www3.gratisweb.com/checoyroxy/ChecoyRoxipink.html
"Even if you are on the right track, you'll get run over if you just sit there." - Words of Wisdom

just a question..is it called bloody basin because there was a battle there at one time or something?

------------------------------
92 Pathy Se-v6
3in body lift

ah, and nice pics too, I wish we had real trails out here in texas.

------------------------------
92 Pathy Se-v6
3in body lift

Not sure on the name origin, but I bet Datz has it in a book somewhere. I'd guess it had something to do with the wars with Apaches just before the turn of the century, but not certain.

Checo, add a 4th mod to that list - beefed steering. Replacing centerlinks on a regluar basis on lifted Nissans gets old quick. John is working on a setup for his Pathy. If it works (and it will), the same setup should work on an HB.

See ya on the trails soon!


1998 Frontier 4x4 seriously built
2002 Xterra 4x4 still stock