PHX - The Island

Three adventurous riders joined to complete a loop that was over 3 years in the making.

Slowred - Honda 450X
Javalina - Honda 650R
Eric M - Kawasaki KDX220
Nightstalker - Honda 450X

It started in 2009 when I first did the Island on my 950, along with Javalina on his KLR 650 and Yardstick on his KTM 625SXC.

We rode the yellow track out to Mescal tank and turned back because we couldn't find any more trail to follow.



We faced some pretty serious challenges on those big bikes.





And Mescal tank.

Came back in April of 2010 with the little bikes and made an attempt from the other side, Cooks Ranch.

We got close to Mescal tank, but no goal. There was an extreme hill climb, that was, well, EXTREME!!

Flash forward to today. After 2 years of intel and recon, I was pretty confident we'd easily complete the loop.

We just happened to be staging at the same time and place as another group of AZ ADVRiders on a Dugas run.



Pleasantries were exchanged and my crew was off, just after Javalina gave Montek a kickstarting lesson.

We only got a few miles in and Slowred got a flat.



The Dugas crew passes us by.



Refokus trying to cheer us up by throwing his bike on the ground.



Javalina was having some footpeg problems.

16 miles into Table Mesa road we took a little detour to New River Mesa on FS17.



The toughest climb of the day. It's fairly steep and plenty rocky.



This sign is at the bottom of the hill.

Slowred near the top.



Javalina up next.



Loose rocks piled on top of loose rocks.

I would hike down to give Eric a hand. It's super hard to get restarted on this stuff if you get stopped.





He's well on his way now!

Once on top, it's more than 4 miles of grass hiding embedded rock road out to The Viewpoint.



The last leg must be covered on foot. Watch your step, it's a carpet of prickly pear cactus.



It's worth the trip! Overlooking Spur Cross, Cave Creek, and Carefree.





Some petroglyphs.



Looking north.



Javalina knows the way.

This is a dead end road, so we had to return the way we came. Eric on the rocks.



Slowred navigates a boulder field.



Eric powers up.

Javalina coming down the big rocky hill.



Slowred blasts through.



Eric on his way.

Back on course for The Island!



Heading out to the Island and Cooks Mesa is a much easier task than tackling New River Mesa.



Water in New River Tank.

The view from The Island. It's a much shorter hike!





Great view of Six Bar Ridge in the distance.

It's more than 9 miles of grassy embedded rock road to Mescal tank with a few valley crossings thrown in for good measure.

About 8 miles in we ran into these Adventure Hikers who had just bagged Squaw Mountain.



They had their FJ stuck pretty good on a rock. I asked if we could lend any assistance and they were eager for some help.



Once we got the rear axle jacked up and some rocks under the tire, they easily climbed up the hill.

Cool stuff. Makes me want to run out and get a 450 or smaller so I can come along. I noticed one of the bikes was a 650 but I bet he had his hand full.

Javalina entertaining the hikers before we depart.



The road to Mescal tank quickly deteriorates.

Once at Mescal tank, there was no apparent trail out. I went searching in one direction and Javalina in the other. While I was on what the GPS had indicated was the road,



Javalina found a weather station. We'll try that way.



A little hiking expedition and we found the way. Plain as the nose on your face.

Nice, I remember the embeded rocks very well and the rocky hill climb, and picking up the bike off of the rocks . I hope you make this trip again next year or so and when you do, count me in!

DK, Javalina rides that 650 like it's a 250.

Naw, that was Javalina. He could ride a Harley up that, and still be laughing!

Actually, he did ride his KLR up that!:eek1