4x4tographer 3,655 Posted May 31, 2025 Just now getting around to processing some photos from our recent 2-night overland journey through Arizona’s Mogollon Rim Country. It was a view-chasing, propane campfire-crackling, suspiciously windy blast! Here’s the lowdown on our Rim Country quest. On my way up the General Crook trail, I got a good look at a nearby fire that was burning. We kicked things off at high noon on Friday, May 16, 2025, at PIEbar AZ in Strawberry. Those hand pies? Pure magic. I personally tried out the Mountain Man and Lemon Custard empanadas. We fueled up our bellies and rigs before hitting the trail. Highlights on this Trip Milk Ranch Point & Myrtle Point and other beautiful vistas Dickenson Flat & Battleground Ridge Blue Ridge Reservoir Three Historic Cabins Secluded Aspen Grove at "Camp Bonito" Mogollon Rim, the star of the show Night 1 We aired down just off of SR87 before plunging into rim territory. On this leg we stopped by Dickenson Flat to check out the aviation navigation markers in the meadow there. We later made our way down a bumpy trail towards Milk Ranch Point. On our way there, @gearhead had a bit of a mechanical snafuu and snapped a u-joint. @theksmith accompanied him back towards pavement to try to assess the damage and next steps. Mike was able to make his way safely home later that evening (hope you get/got the rig sorted easily Mike!) As the main crew moved on toe Milk Ranch Point, we ran into a couple that was stranded by a bad battery. Their stock Dodge Ram was sitting dead in the middle of the trail. We tried to give them some assistance with a jump start, but determined that they had a damaged positive terminal inside the battery itself. Pressure had to be kept on the terminal in order for the battery to continue running. The couple had prepared for camping and already had made some calls for assistance from some friends. We checked to make sure they had plenty of food and water, which they did. Since we'd spent about 1-1.5 hours there, we decided to head directly towards our planned campsite at Blue Ridge Reservoir. @theksmith caught up with us about 20 minutes after our arrival at camp, having helped Mike get back to pavement and subsequent connection with a tow company. Views from our camp site overlooking the reservoir. It looked quite a bit lower than our previous visit 2 years ago with a lot more deadfall wood around from a fire that had swept through previously. Day 2 We broke camp that morning and were on the go by about 8am. We made our way over to Battleground Ridge, the site of a surprise ambush by Apache fighters from the San Carlos Reservation on the US Army back in 1882. You can still see some of the fortifications that the Apache quickly built leading up to the fight. At the parking area, @LiddlJK realized they had a leaking axle seal and a damaged u-joint as well. They opted to limp it back home to Flagstaff - which they safely made. The rest of us performed a "mechanized" version of the famous Cabin Loop hiking trail and visited a series of historic cabins, including the General Cabin, Pinchot Cabin, and Buckspring Cabin. After hitting the cabins and breaking for lunch, we popped off on the rim a few times and then made our way to a campsite in an aspen grove. @Roadhogg and Mae elected to depart and make their way home via the 260. This left myself, @Lichen, @Mick Bowers, and @theksmith. @Lichen discovered a torn boot on his CV joint, which we used some duct tape to seal up. That evening we huddled around the propane fire, swapping stories. The wind was really playing up that evening, with sustained winds of about 10mph and gusts up to 35mph, according to the weather apps. Day 3 The next morning we had a short jaunt to the 260 - enjoying some of the deeper, older parts of the forest on the way. We also popped off along the rim for some great photos with some pseudo-dramatic clouds. Some fire damage from the 2024 fire on the rim could be seen here. Shortly after - we were at the 260 to air up and begin the journey home! 4 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Lichen 215 Posted June 1, 2025 I've been patently waiting for this report. Good job and fun weekend. The duct tape made it home, but I don't think it was helping much. 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
gearhead 694 Posted June 3, 2025 Great trip report and pictures @4x4tographer! Sorry I had to cut out early. Thanks again to @theksmith for making sure I made it to the main road. I would be remiss if I didn't mention that the u-joint failure was my fault. I didn't tighten the axle hub bolts enough, and one backed out enough that the u-joint started striking it. Live and learn! 🙂 4 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Bowers 458 Posted July 4, 2025 Hey Ryan, Next week I’m taking Bobbie up to check out the Rim. Just for the day then getting a hotel in Payson. Can I call you and talk about the route a little? Since we’ll be alone and I have her with me I don’t want to get too far out there in case I have a problem with the rig and she is not a huge fan of never ending bumps. I promise to respect you time, Thank a million, Mick 623-432-2895 mickbowers007@icloud.com 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ladybug 705 Posted July 9, 2025 Great pics and good to see you made it to cooler air. Kudos to KSmith for getting Gear back to pavement....Way to go. smiles, ladybug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mick Bowers 458 Posted July 10, 2025 Bobbie and I just got back from the Rim today. Drove 300 and did a couple side trails yesterday. It was nice and cool with some cloud cover. We had the place pretty much to ourselves. (With the lumber haulers) Had lunch at my favorite overlook all alone. I really recommend it during the week if you can get loose. Important tip. : The Pie shop is closed on Wednesdays and it is absolutely the only place within 30 miles with a public restroom. 🥴 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
