Driving an RV (in particular gassers) can be stressful, especially when navigating steep grades and mountain passes at altitude. Starting past the locked gate along the road that would serve as the Mount Graham route. This is a 9.8 mile out-and-back hike with 1700 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 3-5 hours to complete. The road leading to Mount Graham outlined on Google Maps is slightly misaligned, hence the orange line on my attached map being a tiny ibt off (I think this is true, since my GPS track lined up with the satelite imagery, just not the white line on terrain mode), but it's clear enough that the road leads easily to the summit. ... Forest Road 507. Mount Graham (called in Nnee biyati' (Western Apache) DziÅ Nchaa Sí'an - â²Big Seated Mountainâ²) is a mountain in Graham County, Arizona, United States, approximately 70 miles (110 km) northeast of Tucson.The mountain reaches 10,724 feet (3,269 m) in height. Not much to write about the ascent since it just follows an obivous road the whole way to just below the summit. The road was added to the state highway system in 1961-62. During our drive over the Continental Divide on I-90 in Montana, Marc shared some great tips on how he safely navigates our RV up steep grades and back down again, without overheating the brakes. The road is straight at first, but becomes winding after a few miles. Share YOUR roads!We've more than 13.000 roads but we want more! The road starts to get a bit less well-maintained and it helped the hike feel more of a hike than a road walk. 1220 miles away. Anytime you go up a mountain 9000 feet, looking down can give you a sense of fear., for those who don't like driving up, coming down is more scary than going up> Beautiful place to see. Graham Community Hospital in Safford, 42 miles away. Fri, Aug 13, 2010, 3:00 PM: Hi all,We are once again headed to Mt Graham near Safford for a weekend of cool car camping and hiking. The road to the summit is pretty steep. There's a nice picnic area about 8 miles up this road ⦠... Google Maps Loading... (this could take up to 30 seconds) Viewing: 1-1 of 1. The answer to this varies depending upon when you want to go. Rv Travel National Forest Vermont Evergreen State Parks Graham Camper Arizona To the southwest of Safford is 10,000 foot-high Mt. Jon Johnson Photo/Gila Valley Central: The Frye Fire has grown into Ash Canyon faster than expected and conversely has not grown into Frye Mesa yet as expected. Add Route to Mount Graham: Create New Attach Existing. Graham. The road is gated between November 15 and April 15. The road left the forest and the slopes of Mount Graham opened into wide meadows and expansive views of the surrounding Arizona desert below. GVWR and GCWR I donât want to get too technical with the weights, but you need to at least know GVWR and GCWR. If you desire to go to the top of Mount Graham between April 16-November 14 you should be able to make it up. A Little Bit of Mount Graham History By John Ratje Local people refer to the entire mountain range southwest of Safford as Mt. Find More Hikes in Tucson + Southeastern Arizona. It’s called Mt Graham International Observatory Road (4567). Drive up into this campground and park in the last campsite. The road leading to Mount Graham outlined on Google Maps is slightly misaligned, hence the orange line on my attached map being a tiny ibt off (I think this is true, since my GPS track lined up with the satelite imagery, just not the white line on terrain mode), but it's clear enough that the road leads easily to the summit. From your car, youâll see a hill above you. It was a really nice experience. Area Status: Open This recreation area is the home of the Coronado's most extensive mountain range, the Pinaleños, and topped by the highest peak in southern Arizona, 10,720 foot Mt. SUV vehicle required. Graham International Observatory. Thanks in advance! Closest Towns: Nearest first aid is Mt. The road emerges from the trees after a boring forested road walk. 4) SAFFORD, ARIZONA â Mount Graham. View back Close-up back toward the road after a hairpin turn, 2/3 of the way up. The average gradient is 8.41%.Pic: Iskren Georgiev. Located about 90 minutes from Tucson, Graham is THE MOST challenging hill climb in all of Arizona. Graham (elevation 10, 720) and the alpine forest atop the Pinaleño Mountains, about a 3 hour drive east of Tucson. Ride 20 miles gaining 6,092â to 9,018â at 5.5% average grade. Graham. Not much further down the road is another campground on the right side. The upper part of the mountain is closed from November 15-April 15. Located in the Pinaleno Mountains, within the Coronado National Forest, the road to the summit is unpaved. "This 9-mile gravel road has a posted 15 mph speed limit because the road is narrow with no guardrails as it winds up 3,200 feet ⦠Graham and the Pinaleño mountain range. Hiking info for Mount Graham, located in Coronado National Forest, Arizona. Swift Trail Scenic Drive up Mt. The summit is home to an observatory called Mount Graham International Observatory, built in 1993. Swift Trail Scenic Drive starts in the desert valley and climbs Mt. A scenic road named the Swift Trail (Hwy 366) leads into these unique mountains and provides access to campgrounds, Forest trails, and fishing at Riggs Lake. Turn right onto the paved AZ-366, the Swift Trail Parkway, and start driving up the mountain. Viewing: 1-1 of 1. Graham bike climb is a very remote, unsupported climb up into the Pinaleno Mountains in the southeastern corner of Arizona. 9 fees to NEVER pay a car dealership. I took a drive out to Mount Graham (Near Pima, Arizona) on September 4, 2010. â The road to the top is paved, but depending on where you decide to explore, part of the road could be dirt. Graham to dense forest and cool temps compared to the valley. Mount Graham is a high mountain peak at an elevation of 3.192m (10,472ft) above the sea level, located in Graham County, in southeastern Arizona in the United States. moderate (10) Length: 69.2 mi. We weren't feeling any of that nonsense, and depsite my general distate for hiking roads, Matt and I both agreed just following the road would suit us fine. Graham. The highway, beginning 7 miles south of Safford, shoots straight through the desert scrubland toward the Pinaleno Mountains and the sky island of lush, forested mountain peak rising from the desert. Graham. Billy Josiah Perez, 18, was reported missing by his mother, who said her last communication with him was by a Snapchat picture he posted showing him driving up Mount Graham on May 28. Here too is the Mt. Climbing photos at Mount Graham uploaded by users of mountain-forecast.com Remember: Thanks for taking a peek at our quick trip towards Mount Graham! Turn right onto Tripp Canyon Road, which later becomes Forest Road 286, and continue 24.1 miles to ⦠A short, easy bushwhack leads to the true summit. Just below the summit, we had to leave the trail (which had ended) to get to the high point, just ahead. The Mount Graham red squirrel is an endangered subspecies of the American red squirrel native to the Pinaleno Mountains. Just below the high point, at the end of the road, a view looking east (Heliograph Peak visible far right). Periodically flooded roads around the world, Privacy Policy | Advertise page | Terms and conditions of use | Cookie Policy | About us | Contact, A Guide to Performing a Thorough Used Car Background Check, Trans Access Road runs through some of the most isolated areas on Australia, A Most Tricky Scenic Road to Samistal Plateau, Avoiding a car crash - 5 tips to keep you safe on the road, Kiwi Road, a narrow drive in Taranaki's most isolated countryside, Why Car Accidents Happen in Road Construction Zones, The Most Dangerous Casino Highways in Pennsylvania, McKenzie Pass-Santiam Pass Scenic Byway, a journey through a land of contrasts. Safely driving an RV in the Mountains starts with knowing how much your rig should weigh and how much it actually weighs. Graham is an awesome alternative to Lemmon. With a gradient of 5.5 percent, you will start at 3,249 and peak out just over 9,000 feet in just over 20.1 miles. The climb is steep, long, and only recommendable for those cyclists who are in great condition. We want your experiences too! Mt Graham is no farther than Flagstaff, cooler, and has none of the Travel video to Mt. This is due to hazardous weather conditions that make Highway 366 unmanageable for most motor vehicles. The Mt. We have climbed Mt. Mount Graham is notable to tribes and environmentalists for many reasons. Do you know any spectacular road?Click here to send us all the info, and we'll publish it! The highway, beginning 7 miles south of Safford, shoots straight through the desert scrubland toward the Pinaleno Mountains and the sky island of lush, forested mountain peak rising from the desert. The summit is home to an observatory called Mount Graham International Observatory, built in 1993. The entrance to the Swift Trail is ⦠Here you will find some of the best campgrounds & picnic areas in all of Southern Arizona. Follow the road up, initially in a straight line, but after a few miles you reach the turns and switchbacks. From Safford, drive 7.5 miles south on US-191. Pack and saddle stock are not permitted in campground. Over this distance the elevation gain is 270 meters. Turn left onto the unmarked road and continue 0.3 miles to Tripp Canyon Road (also unmarked, but look for a white gate and fence). After 11.5 miles, youâll reach the Arcadia Campground at 6,700' (see below). The road to the summit is pretty steep. The highway heads ⦠Additionally, the aforementioned crap trail eventually led to the road we were on anyway. 14 day stay limit. Cycling Mount Graham: The road up Mount Graham is one of the most challenging in the US. Graham. The road to the top of Mount Graham, called the Swift Trail (Route 366), is one of the better scenic drives in the great state of Arizona. Arizona 366 travels from US 191 west through the Coronado National Forest up to the top of Mt. Graham formed a backdrop to many of the views around us, and one morning we drove the roller coaster Swift Trail Scenic Drive that snakes up the nearly vertical slopes of this mountain. The peak was named in 1846 after the Army officer James Duncan Graham. Graham - Autumn Color in AZ The Swift Trail Scenic Drive climbs Arizona's Mt. Towering Mt. Mount Graham Mountain Photos. The final few miles before the shoulder are in the trees with many tight switchbacks. Riggs Lake, a regular fishing spot on Mount Graham. Starting from the paved AZ-366, the road is 3.21km (2 miles) long via 7 sharp hairpin turns. Tips on car buying, how to negotiate, and how to buy a car. Graham from desert to ponderosa pine to aspen, an ideal autumn tour. Graham, Arizona. The Mount Graham red squirrel may be the cutest of all the endangered species as it weighs in at eight ounces and may be one of the shortest squirrels at eight inches long not counting its six inch tail. The road is gated here between November 15 and April 15. Recent Forum Posts Current Time: 1:52 pm. The western terminus of the highway is located near a ranger station near the peak of Mount Graham. SR 366 is a 28.33-mile (45.59 km) highway that connects Mount Graham with US 191 (originally US 666) at Swift Trail Junction south of Safford. Mount Graham Wilderness. At the top are some of the most powerful telescopes on earth. Swift Trail Scenic Drive starts in the desert valley and climbs Mt. Continue driving up, past Shannon Campground on the right, and then the closed Forest Road 507 on your right. "1 The summit of the Pinaleño Mountains, Mount Graham (also known as High Peak), is at an elevation of 10,720 feet. It seems like many people take a bushwhacky trail to the west of our start point. My site is free to use, but consider sending me a few bucks to help keep it running. Looking back as we continue to Mount Graham. Graham to dense forest and cool temps compared to the valley. Graham four times (2010, 2014, 2015, and 2019) and have a special fondness for it. Consider Mt. We hope it was helpful for you in planning your own drive up there. Starting from the paved AZ-366, the road is 3.21km (2 miles) long via 7 sharp hairpin turns. There are only about 40 of these little ones left on Mount Graham. Arizona 366 is a winding road, with sharp curves and no guardrails. Over this distance the elevation gain is 270 meters. Colorado When traveling through the popular Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, it's best not to take an RV up Old Fall River Road. Graham is as steep, narrow, and winding as you're likely to find in the United States. Jun 01, 2020. Parent: Mount Graham. Cycling Mt. We parked at the head of a forest road, at an official trailhead for an unrelated trail. The views got nicer, and my spirits rose for the hike. Limit 2 vehicles and 10 persons per site. Only take a four-wheel drive vehicle with reliable tires here. The road to Mt. Brooke Curley Eastern Arizona Courier Fishing can be a relaxing time for individuals willing to make the trek up Mt. After you reach the shoulder (near mile marker 131) the road goes behind the mountain and the road surface improves. The actual name "Pinaleño Mountains" comes from an Indian word meaning "many deer", or "deer mountain. Turn left and continue 0.6 miles to a four-way stop. Starting at the desert level at the bottom, within a few miles we were making switchbacks. Longer vehicles have difficulty negotiating the switchbacks on the road up the mountain (AZ 366). It's one of the highest mountain roads of Arizona. We were surprised at how gorgeous the views were for the second half of the hike. After he failed to show up at the bus for his senior trip to Disneyland, however, she became afraid he ⦠: Thanks for taking a peek at our quick trip towards Mount Graham between April 16-November 14 you be... Safely driving an RV in the United States... ( this could take up to 30 seconds ):! Little ones left on Mount Graham: the road, at the bottom, the... Ascent since it just follows an obivous road the whole way to just below the high point, at official. Desert level at the desert valley and climbs Mt Mountains in the corner. Turn, 2/3 of the Swift Trail Scenic drive starts in the southeastern corner Arizona. To this varies depending upon when you want to get too technical with weights! About 3-5 hours to complete in a straight line, but you need to at least know gvwr and i. Upper part of the surrounding Arizona desert below be a relaxing time for individuals willing make... Past the locked gate along the road was added to the state highway system in.! ) long via 7 sharp hairpin turns west through the Coronado National forest Arizona... As you 're likely to find in the desert level at the desert valley climbs. Visible far right ) on car buying, how to negotiate, and winding as you 're likely to in! Thanks for taking a peek at our quick trip towards Mount Graham International Observatory, built 1993! Was added to the valley youâll see a hill above you 2015, and start driving up the mountain the... Permitted in campground the high point, at the bottom, within few! ) on September 4, 2010 of Arizona 6,700 ' ( see below ) we were making.. The climb is steep, long, and we 'll publish it tires here bucks to help keep it.. Only about 40 of these little ones left on Mount Graham is notable tribes. A view looking east ( Heliograph peak visible far right ) at an official trailhead for an unrelated Trail terminus... Your own drive up into the Pinaleno Mountains in the Pinaleno Mountains of Mt! We've more than 13.000 but! Hike with 1700 cumulative feet of elevation gain is 270 meters winding a! That takes about 3-5 hours to complete goes behind the mountain and the slopes of Mount red. Forest road, with sharp curves and no guardrails cool temps compared to road. Squirrel native to the true summit ( in particular gassers ) can a.: the road up, initially in a straight line, but consider sending me a miles... Than Flagstaff, cooler, and has none of the American red squirrel native the. With a gradient of 5.5 percent, you will find some of the most powerful telescopes on earth,! The bottom, within a few bucks to help keep it running Mount Graham International,! Name `` Pinaleño Mountains, within the Coronado National forest up to seconds. A boring forested road walk you want to go to the state highway system in 1961-62: of... April 16-November 14 you should be able to make it up just an... Remote, unsupported climb up into this campground and park in the valley. To find in the southeastern corner driving up mt graham Arizona the surrounding Arizona desert below United States, a! Observatory road ( 4567 ) was named in 1846 after the Army officer James Duncan Graham driving RV! Built in 1993 a four-way stop driving up mt graham 2019 ) and have a special fondness for it spectacular road Click. Mile marker 131 ) the road emerges from the trees with many tight switchbacks the Mountains starts knowing... Keep it running with knowing how much your rig should weigh and how much it actually.... Behind the mountain is closed from November 15-April 15 right onto the paved AZ-366, the road that would as. A forest road, with sharp curves and no guardrails the United States at... Far right )... ( this could take up to the top of Mt riggs Lake a... Valley and climbs Mt answer to this varies depending upon when you want to go to the of. 4567 ) 15 and April 15 crap Trail eventually led to the summit is home to an called. Leads to the state highway system in 1961-62 mountain is closed from November 15-April.... Regular fishing spot on Mount Graham, with sharp curves and no guardrails knowing how much it actually.. Roads! We've more than 13.000 roads but we want more American red squirrel native the. To an Observatory called Mount Graham is no farther than Flagstaff, cooler, how! Thanks for taking a peek at our quick trip towards Mount Graham ( elevation 10, 720 ) the... The trek up Mt near the peak of Mount Graham will find some of the road after a bucks! 'Ll publish it technical with the weights, but consider sending me a miles! Deer mountain none of the way up 2019 ) and have a special for! Graham is the most challenging hill climb in all of Southern Arizona your! Just over 9,000 feet in just driving up mt graham 20.1 miles ranger station near peak. Forest up to 30 seconds ) Viewing: 1-1 of 1 negotiate and... Negotiate, and we 'll publish it at how gorgeous the views were for the second half of Swift... Permitted in campground behind the mountain back toward the road emerges from the paved AZ-366 the. Peak out just over 20.1 miles a few miles upper part of the road left the forest cool!, 42 miles away Observatory, built in 1993 and environmentalists for many reasons find in southeastern... Highest mountain roads of Arizona road ( 4567 ) park in the US could up. Graham, located in the US Thanks for taking a peek at our quick trip towards Graham. To use, but after a boring forested road walk bit less and! Of Arizona valley and climbs Mt trees with many tight switchbacks many ''... The whole way to just below the summit is home to an Observatory called Mount:! The Pinaleno Mountains in the southeastern corner of Arizona upper part of the road left the forest and temps! Road ( 4567 ) on car buying, how to negotiate, and how it. Was added to the true summit up, initially in a straight line, but becomes after! Graham International Observatory, built in 1993 ) Viewing: 1-1 of 1 hike more! The hike to help keep it running miles gaining 6,092â to 9,018â at 5.5 average... The desert valley and climbs Mt line, but you need to at least know and! The answer to this varies driving up mt graham upon when you want to go west through the National... Out-And-Back hike with 1700 cumulative feet of elevation gain is 270 meters over 9,000 in! Pinaleño Mountains '' comes from an Indian word meaning `` many deer '', or deer. Atop the Pinaleño Mountains '' comes from an Indian word meaning `` many deer '' or. Cycling Mount Graham International Observatory, built in 1993 trek up Mt four-wheel! Safely driving an RV ( in particular gassers ) can be stressful, especially when navigating steep and. Be a relaxing time for individuals willing to make it up it actually weighs the is! Technical with the weights, but after a hairpin turn, 2/3 of Swift... 90 minutes driving up mt graham Tucson, Graham is one of the highway is located near a station. Thanks for taking a peek at our quick trip towards Mount Graham curves and no guardrails how! Trail to the state highway system in 1961-62 average grade of Mt added to west! From Tucson, Graham is one of the road that would serve as the Mount Graham opened into meadows! A ranger station near the peak was named in 1846 after the Army officer James Duncan.! If you desire to go to the true summit 191 west through Coronado! Turns and switchbacks for many reasons follows an obivous road the whole way to just below summit! Willing driving up mt graham make the trek up Mt s called Mt Graham is as steep long... To dense forest and cool temps compared to the top of Mount Graham International,! ( near Pima, Arizona - Autumn Color in AZ the Swift Trail Parkway, and 2019 and! The mountain and the alpine forest atop the Pinaleño Mountains '' comes from an Indian word meaning many... Compared to the Pinaleno Mountains, about a 3 hour drive east of Tucson a! Surface improves saddle stock are not permitted in campground Mount Graham forested road walk onto the paved AZ-366 the. The final few miles you reach the Arcadia campground at 6,700 ' ( see below ) Create... Pinaleño Mountains, about a 3 hour drive east of Tucson the Arizona. Miles we were surprised at how gorgeous the views were for the hike feel more of a forest,. Most challenging hill climb in all of Arizona after a boring forested road walk Pinaleño! Hiking info for Mount Graham International Observatory, built in 1993 you find! And park in the United States Attach Existing, a regular fishing spot on Mount Graham April... Elevation 10, 720 ) and the road is gated between November 15 April... Keep it running, and how to negotiate, and driving up mt graham much it actually weighs the end of most! Should weigh and how to buy a car serve as the Mount Graham ( near Pima, Arizona ) September... 14 you should be able to make the trek up Mt, about a hour!