Difficulty: 2
Distance: 33.4 miles
Time: 4 hours
Description:
The Montana Mountain Trail is a loop trail off US 60 that starts near Florence Junction and finishes close to Superior. The majority of the trail is 4-rated, but the initial section of the trail has been upgraded to provide easier access to the Rogers Trough and Woodbury Trailheads. Passenger vehicles can travel as far as the Woodbury Trailhead turnoff with ease; past this point, a high-clearance 4WD is required.
The trail passes through varied landscapes. The lower elevations are classic Sonoran desert landscape with prolific vegetation. Saguaros, chollas, prickly pears, and ocotillos stud the rugged, red hillsides of Byous Butte and Roblas Butte, the latter of which was named after a Mexican who ranched on the eastern slope of the butte. The trial travels up Hewitt Canyon, gradually climbing toward the Superstition Mountains. Past the Woodbury trailhead turnoff, the trail becomes rougher and climbs steeply toward the Rogers Trough Trailhead and the start of FR 650, which winds around the south face of Montana Mountain.
This road is much tamer than it was a few years ago, but it is still a challenging and exciting drive. Moguls and a sprinkling of large boulders will have you watching your wheel placement; some sections have loose surface, and the long sections of shelf road along the face of the mountain are narrow enough that the driver can’t afford to spend too much time admiring the panoramic view. Once you reach the shelf road, the granite road surface is smooth. There are many viewpoints and opportunities to pull over and admire the view to the south over Reavis Canyon, Superior, and the uneven bulk of Picketpost Mountain. Campers have a wide choice of sites-there are lower elevation sites among the saguaros, and higher sites with great views and cooler evenings. The trail can usually be driven at any time of year, but the lower elevations may be uncomfortably hot in the summer and the higher elevations may have light snow in winter.
The trail descends abruptly to the desert floor via a series of switchbacks. Although this section is steep and slightly loose in places, it is unlikely to give you trouble. Those driving longer vehicles may need to back up to make a couple of the tighter turns.
Once down from the mountain, the narrow trail winds alongside or through Wood Camp Canyon, Whitford Canyon, and then Happy Camp Canyon. Just off the trail, an old stone cabin with a tin roof can be found. The cabin is well constructed and has mining adits behind.
There are several rocky sections along this leg of the trail, particularly on a shirt stretch in Happy Camp Wash. After passing a coral, the trail is roughly graded and faster going as it heads to rejoin US 60 near Superior.
Special Attractions:
Moderately challenging rocky trail in scenic Telegraph Canyon; Remains of Orphan Boy and Ajax Mines; Trail passes through a wide variety of desert scenery; Views of Picketpost Mountain, Superior, and the Superstition Mountains. High-clearance 4WDs are recommended, though most stock SUVs are acceptable. Expect a rough road surface with rocks larger than 6 inches, but there will be a reasonable driving line available. Patches of mud are possible but can be readily negotiated; sand may be deep and require lower tire pressures. There may be stream crossings up to 12 inches deep, substantial sections of single-lane shelf road, moderate grades, and sections of moderately loose road surface.
Massey, P, Wilson, J, & Titus, A. (2006). Arizona trails Central Region. Adler Publishing, Castle Rock CO.
Montana Mountain (2008) Trails.com. Retrieved April 10, 2008 from http://www.trails.com/tcatalog_trail.asp?trailid=BGS114-119
Wells, C. (2001). Guide to Arizona Backroads and 4-Wheel Drive Trails. FunTreks Inc; Monument CO.