Southern Tier: Apache Trail vs. through Superior?

[MrBent]

Ahoy, Arizona bike tourists:  Doing some thinking about our big tour next year.  What do you think about taking Apache Trail?  I know it's dirt.  I've only driven it once many years ago.  I assume NO water?  How good/bad is the road?  I remember it was exceedingly beautiful.  We'd be riding east to west in November.

Thanks.

Scott

[hem]

try a search on crazyguyonabike and you'll pick up some hits. here is one http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/page/?o=1r4vFb6&page_id=180586&v=Lv#pic_876838

[MrBent]

Thanks, Hem!  That looks fantastic.  We will definitely be on the north side of the Superstitions!

Scott

[hem]

It can be real dusty with traffic and some deep sandy places. I would plan on hitting it mid-week to try and miss the weekend traffic. Awesome views.

[Simplygib]

I rode the Apache Trail 16 years ago and it was incredible.  Highly recommended.  The dirt portion is 22 miles and it was hard packed and very smooth, from what I remember.  I drove the route a couple of years ago and it didn't seem to have changed other than more traffic.  I think there was water at Tortilla Flat and Roosevelt Lake.  There is a creek or two along the dirt portion of the trail as well, if you have a filter, but we found plenty of water without having to filter.   Regarding traffic, I remember most of it being snowbirds so there could be a lot of it even midweek.  Probably still better than the weekend though.  The Anasazi ruins (cliff dwellings) are pretty cool too.

My journal from that trip:  http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/lazylewis1995

The route:  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/169095

[hem]

...  Regarding traffic, I remember most of it being snowbirds so there could be a lot of it even midweek.
My journal from that trip:  http://www.crazyguyonabike.com/doc/lazylewis1995

The route:  http://ridewithgps.com/routes/169095

Actually most of the traffic seems to be lake traffic with a lot of campers and boats. And good luck on that "hard pack" too unless we get some monsoon rains soon. Still it is a great route.