Some Arizona Sightseeing

We went out this week to do some sightseeing.  The road from our RV park going north leads to a loop road around Superstition mountain and takes you past an old mining town and three lakes.  We had been told by one of our RV neighbors that it was a very nice drive and takes most of the day to accomplish.  We were also advised that there is a stretch of the road that is dirt and gravel but was not a problem.  So, we headed out.

First stop was the Goldfield mining town.  It is a small little tourist attraction with a train ride, horse rides and some shops. 

The Town from the entrance

The bordello building

View from the town of Superstition Mountain

The drive continued and we reached a sign that told us the next 22 miles were unpaved.  It started out not so bad but many parts were bone jarring.  Our truck has heavy duty suspension so it makes the ride much stiffer but for a passenger car I would think it would kill the suspension system.  The road is narrow with many climbs and descents.  I finally decided it was best to put the truck in four wheel drive. 

There are three lakes on the drive, the first is Canyon Lake, then Apache Lake and finally Roosevelt Lake.  Each of these lakes has campgrounds and marinas but there was not much activity on any of them.  There is a little town near one of the lakes called Tortilla Flats.  This is just a stop in the road with a store and restaurant.  The clerk in the store was telling us that the season for the area is just wrapping up as everything shuts down on May 1st until September because it is too hot during the summer months.

Just as the road becomes paved you are at Roosevelt Lake which has a very large dam holding it back.  Very impressive.

Roosevelt Dam

Roosevelt Lake

Next up was the Tonto National Monument which is where there are some cliff dwellings that are 500 years old.  Only one set of ruins were open but it was amazing to see how the construction of the dwelling has remained for so many years.

Cliff dwelling as we begin the trek up.

One of the rooms

View from the cliff dwelling

Fran liked this cactus.  Looks like someone with a feather on their head waving their hands!

It was a very scenic drive and enjoyable.  The weather was perfect for the day as it was cool and breezy.  They really do need to pave the entire road as this is such a great scenic drive but is a killer on vehicles going over the dirt.