100 Year Old Road Finally REOPENS! - Apache Trail, Arizona "Fish Creek Hill"

[@jez7433]

Been traveling this stretch since 1990. Really was impacted and sad the road was closed for so long. So here’s my unwelcome soap box statement. ADOT set a 4x4 only rule for a reason. It’s not blessed for standard passenger car travel due to the potential of a lower less traction vehicle becoming stranded and causing a traffic back up. The hillside is still unstable and roll-off could cause obstructions especially at night. It’s an unimproved road and will likely suffer deterioration due to weathering and run off. It is possible to be cited if one enters with something other than what’s listed. Also, AWD is not 4WD. USFS are sending citations to AWD owners who frequent 4x4 only trails. Cameras are recording license plates. Do what you want, but the sign is there for a reason. Lets appreciate that it’s open for the 4 million dollars and not have them close it again. The counter lobby was that if it was opened with minimum improvements, that Joe Public would ignore the signs anyway. That’s why the price tag was so high to begin with. Peace ✌️

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Well said! I keep getting that question......" hey man do you think my car would make it down there?"..........well yes it would, but I wouldnt do it!....thank you for sharing this!

[@MrsPrissy61]

You have said it best, we all know those that won't abide...hope they can afford the price. We have a jeep wrangler and can't wait to make the trip as soon as it cools down.

[@jez7433]

@@MrsPrissy61state patrol has been parked at the top in the rest area.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

@@jez7433 yes they have! I've been out there 3 times in the last week, and they were always parks right before the entrance to fish creek hill

[@autismion]

That's really annoying. AWD with LSDs can be just as good offroad as 4x4.

[@RW12345]

I’m from Illinois. When I was a kid, back in the 50’s, my parents, my brother,and me would drive out to Phoenix for Christmas at my Grandparents. One of the highlights of our trip was driving to Roosevelt Dam down the Apache Trail. This 75 year old man has fond memories of those days. Thanks for your excellent video.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Hey thank you for sharing! glad you enjoyed the video! and that was back when you could drive across the dam too!

[@almeadows8277]

Our family drove it in the 50s too and my main memory is having to stop frequently so that my car-sick sister could throw up. LOL

[@benjo33]

Awesome story. Thanks for sharing! God bless you and your family.

[@samuelalexander9048]

The Apache Trail will always provide fond memories for me. My Dad worked for AZ Game and Fish from 1968-1988. He was the first State Boating Administrator. We spent a lot of time at Saguaro, Canyon, Apache and Roosevelt lakes. He implemented the Buoy system on every lake in AZ, I have great memories of being with him occasionally on his AZG&F boat doing the work. He and his Department wrote and took all of the boating regulations to the state legislature to make them laws, including boat registration requirements, which were non existent when he started his job. I was 13 in 1973 the first time I drove the trail with my Dad nervously guiding me in our 71 Ford truck, I was a scared to death and loving it at the same time. We hunted Javalina and Deer near the 3 Bar area, which was the East side of Four Peaks, facing Roosevelt lake. One of the Biologists for the Department had a fenced area up there, where he would study the Biology of Javalina. I remember talking with him many times and gained a lot of knowledge about Javalina from him. I have spent a lot of time up on the Mountain, scouting and hunting and enjoying the scenery over looking the lake. Rest in Peace Pops!

[@carloscarpinteyro332]

Sounds like you had a great father, enjoyed reading about his input, and suggestions that were implemented!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

What an enjoyable story! thank you so much for sharing!

[@shantz7]

As a native Arizonan, I have driven this road many times. I'm near 60 years old now but I remember 20 years ago during the monsoon season that I last drove this road. I came in from the Globe end and the roadway was barricaded off due to flooding at Canyon lake area. I had a 4x4 so drove around the barricades and boy was it worth it. The cliffs all around, mostly on the Fish Creek Hill, had hundreds of waterfalls coming off and running down into the creek. It was a sight I'll never forget. I had digital pictures and a short video of it but they all got lost when I had a computer crash. By the way, Fish creek was flowing so full that the water was maybe 5 feet below the metal rail. Thanks for the memories!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

wow! I have seen water flowing at fish creek bridge only once, but it certainly wasnt that high, thanks for sharing!

[@chrisfaulkner9517]

Excellent video! This is Chris, I am the guy that you filmed on the blue ATV early on in the video! I saw your drone when I stopped to take a picture on Thursday! How cool that I get to see myself in your video! Thank you! Chris.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Hey man! was a pleasure chatting with ya down there! I was wondering if you had a chance to see the video yet....Those four wheeler shots turned out amazing!!! Thank you for checking out the video!....Jessie!

[@chrisfaulkner9517]

@@jessiesdroneadventures7464 I just stumbled upon the video by accident today on KZbin, so happy I did! I showed your video to many friends who were equally impressed. It’s funny when I stopped a little ways down the hill on my ATV to take a picture, just by chance, I looked up in the sky, and saw the drone! maybe you saw me wave at it! I feel famous being in a video just by taking a Thursday afternoon ride down the Apache Trail to Roosevelt! It was a very nice day! Thanks again, Jessie! Chris.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

@chrisfaulkner9517 awesome!!! Glad you liked it! Funny thing, you on the ATV was the very first shot i took on my drone when I got there. Was great day to be out there. You'll be youtube famous forever 👍

[@nedpeaslee5629]

I have driven the road many times from the 60s through 2000nds. My father took the winter visitors on trips on the Apache trail to Roosevelt dam in a Cadillac limousine in the early 1950s..

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Thank you for sharing!

[@JPAudio22]

My grandpa used to drive his RV like a bat out of hell down the Apache Trail to Apache Lake. We were all hanging on for dear life. Fun times!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

lol, i know the feeling!

[@coliver10000]

Very cool! I have driven this 4 times. The Drone makes it spectacular.❤

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

doesnt it though! the drone really offers such a unique perspective, but of course nothing does it justice when you are actually there seeing it for yourself, but the drone comes pretty close! thanks for checking out the video!

[@poochieAZ]

We've traveled the Apache Trail many times over the years - fishing and camping at Canyon, Apache and Roosevelt lakes. Our first trip was in 1966 in a Nash Rambler. Had a flat just below Roosevelt Dam. Changed the tire in the middle of the road and no one passed us from either direction during the entire process! My Fish Creek Hill story - Pulling a mid-size travel trailer we were traveling up the hill and we met a similar rig coming down. With us on the outside, we crept by one another and then stopped to check for damage. We had shaved off a couple of running lights on each trailer so we decided to just shake hands and be on our way. I always recommend the Trail to visiting friends. It is breathtaking and beautiful.

[@anthonychihuahua]

By coincidence, my first car was a 66' Rambler! Loved the front fold down seats that I could make into a full size bed!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Thank you for sharing 🙏

[@carloscarpinteyro332]

I sure enjoyed reading your comment! Have you ever heard of the 1958, or 59 song by the Playmates, called "Beep-Beep?" It may conjure up good memories of a Nash Rambler! I believe that 1967 was the last year of Rambler, before they started using the American Motors nomenclature. For several years, in the 1980's, and 90's I worked at the home of the man that became the youngest CEO of American Motors, in 1977. I was just a little kid when my dad bought a new 1961 Rambler, at the Dick Steele dealership, in Reseda, Calif; and recounting my mom's story as to how he negotiated the price for it!

[@aukula1062]

I moved to Arizona in 1996. I had taken my family to Canyon Lake a few times but i never passed the scenic stop just before Fish Creek Hill. In 2018 I bought a Jeep Wrangler with a soft top. I had buyers remorse immediately! I was feeling mighty sorry for my bank account. Jeep literally stands for "Just Empty Every Pocket"! That was the first time I took the top all the way down and I'm happy I did! By the time I reached Roosevelt, I had zero regrets. I'm hooked on that drive and that road. I've driven it both directions dozens of times and it never fails to amaze me. I've never needed 4 wheel drive but I high ground clearance makes a lot of sense. Before the road reopened ruts and rocks were a problem and I've seen more than a few passenger cars with broken trans axles and ripped up oil pans. I highly recommend this ride to everyone. The historical aspects and the senary are well worth the time and effort. Crown King is another must do if you like see what Arizona has to offer. Great video!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

lol I've never heard anyone say Jeep mean "just empty every pocket" lol, I like it though! thank you for sharing your story!

[@frankiefelinesalwayswelcom5825]

WOW has the road ever changed !! Last time I was on this road was my Arizona vacation back in 1990. My Dad being a Mesa snowbird from Canada was so proud to show family parts of Arizona. His biggest thrill was driving Fish Creek Hill and scaring family members, in his Acura Vigor. Back then the road was much more narrow and more scary if you don’t like heights (hence, me). And that scimpy “guard rail” drove me nuts. I was told later it was only there to signify where the edge of the road was, not to stop any vehicles from actually going over the side. But the huge reward was being able to view the spectacular Theodore Rosevelt Dam once you got to the end, which was so amazingly breath taking. Pictures DO NOT do it justice whatsoever. Thanks for the video. I have watched several of your videos in this area, and it brings back such great memories. Oh and “Hi” from Edmonton AB Canada.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Canada! hello hello hello! canada is on my bucketlist! enjoyed reading your story and I have to agree, part of the fun on this road is showing it to friends and family for the first time and seeing their reactions! so much fun. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@lanefrank6208]

I traveled that road many times in the 1980s and 1990s while on business trips to the Phoenix area. I used to drive cross old Roosevelt Dam before the arch bridge and the raising of the dam height. Fish Creek Hill, Apache Lake, and the whole drive from AJ to the Mogollon Rim were highlights of my AZ trips. I had a good friend who was the dam keeper at Horse Mesa Dam. My family and I saw the interior of the dam; generators and all. The road down there was certainly an unknown area of Fish Creek. I did all this in a rental car from Sky Harbor. I stayed many nights at the old Tortilla Flats hotel before it burned down in 1987. The town owners were also great friends. Great video.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Hey thank you so much for sharing! would have been cool to be able to drive over the old roosevelt dam, that would have been a treat! thank you for checking out the video!

[@SeanTemple68]

I remember crossing over the old dam road as a kid with my family. Grew up around Signal Butte and University. My dad actually painted the Tortilla Flat owner's Jeep back then. I think it was a metallic brown, he painted a mural of the town during the night on one side of the hood, and another of it in the daytime on the other side, but with buffalos formed in the clouds over the town (from what I remember - I'm 56 now and I think I was in junior high at the time in the early eighties, like around 1980/81 actually).

[@meatdog]

Wow, they really improved that road!! I have missed driving it in the 5 years it's been closed. I love driving it on my motorcycle.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

they certainly did! its super smooth! for now!

[@dalejensen5828]

In 1983 I drove my personal 1981 Trans Am from Apache Junction all the way to the dam (before the dam was raised). Quite a memorable trip.

[@olliehopnoodle4628]

I took a 73 Mustang Convertible to meet some friends at the lake.

[@carloscarpinteyro332]

Yes, you could not go all that fast in a 1981 Trans-Am. Was it a turbo in 1981? I drove a 1980 turbo ,once, totally unimpressive to me.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Good times! thank you for sharing!

[@redrover9988]

In mid 80's I drove my 1982 two seater 280ZX down the Apache Trail. Lady friend and I were on a mission to Pumpkin Center for a burger and beer. All the before pictures of the road were after that monsoon storm had ruined it in many places. The trail was quite drivable in most types of vehicles in good condition. Good times back then, 78 yo now, darned. Thanks for the video and memory's.

[@kategerman5974]

I grew up in Arizona and had a friend I did a lot of crazy trips with. Crazy because we worked the 3-11pm shift at a downtown hotel and would be wide awake afterward. We visited a lot of places in the middle of the night. The first two times I did the Apache Trail was with her and in the dark going toward Roosevelt Dam. The first time we actually saw the road in daylight we had come around from the other direction. I remember stopping at the bottom looking up. Both of us said, "Holy crap! We did that in the dark?!!!"

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

lol, I've been there! thanks for sharing your story and checking out the video!

[@leechjim8023]

😮😮😮😮😮😮😮

[@debraparker1550]

It used to be washboard rough. It looks so smooth and nice now. Of course it hasn't had any huge monsoon rains since they repaired this fabulous road.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

exactly! give it a few weeks, a couple small rains....and it will be back to the way it used to be

[@gali01992]

I was up at the top of the hill on the day that the road opened, but I wasn't planning on going down the road. I brought my telescope to take pictures of the lunar eclipse that evening. I saw a lot of non-four wheel cars driving up and figured that the four-wheel drive requirement is really for later on when the road gets washed out in places due to the monsoon and the state is just covering their rears if a car gets stuck and damaged in a washed out rut.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

I remember you! i wrote down my email on a piece of paper and you sent me the link to your webpage where you post astrophotography photos! great photo by the way!

[@Bossladyone2]

Back in the late 70's and early 80's I took a Fish Creek road trip in my little Datsun station wagon. I think it was some place close to Superior that it started over heating. As luck would have it, there was a bar right down the road with a garden hose just waiting to help me out. I am not a bar fly, but I did go inside to wait and let the engine cool down. A few people were playing a game where they would shake dice in a cup, empty them on the table and gained points. They passed the cup up and down the bar so many of us us joined in. I had no clue what I was doing or how to play. Before I added some cool water to my radiator and left that place, I had won a few hundred dollars. I managed to get back down the hill safely,

[@KenCrandall-ot7uv]

Yahtzee !

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

lol, awesome! All's well ends well! thank you for sharing!

[@ishgumi44]

Great news!! Thanks for letting us know. I've been waiting for years to go back to my favorite place!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

haha, same! I was watching the news and reading online articles like a hawk, trying to narrow it down as to when it would reopen!

[@RonJones8796]

In the early 1930's my Grandfather worked for the highway department driving the truck that pulled the unmortized road grader maintaining the road. He talked about some people from the east that were so afraid of driving the road that they would ask he and his partner to help them through the scariest parts. My Dad talked about going with him to the highway department camp at the bottom of Fish Creek Hill taking his bicycle with him. He loved pushing his bike up Fish Creek Hill and then coasting back to camp. I think he only went up 100 yards or so. My Grandfather pointed out the trail the indians used that could be seen in some areas on the south side of the road. My Dad made sure my siblings and I could also see the old trails when we visited in the 50's and 60's. My brother and I are planning on taking the drive again when he comes to town and we will look for any remnants of the old indian trail. Best video of the Apache Trail I have seen! Thanks Jessie!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Thank you so much!! Im glad you enjoyed the video, and I had no Idea about seeing the old trail. Might have to keep an eye out for that next time I go out there......Thanks again for those kind words and for checking out the video

[@wngimageanddesign9546]

Thanks for the good news and video! I was so sad when I heard the closed this section and no longer could access the whole length to Apache Lake and beyond. I first visited it and drove the length of the Apache Trail back in 2017. Fish Creek section was a mess, ruts, potholes, loose gravel. But made it down in a minivan! Even then numerous cars were on it. Glad to have the whole Apache Trail repaved and surface repaired. Time to plan another trip out there now that it's getting cooler. I once rode out to Canyon Lake from Mesa on my bike to celebrate my 50th birthday. 50 mile round trip for 50 years! I can't get enough of this beautiful scenic Trail.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Oh neat! thank you for sharing! I've only biked out in the area once, but I plan on getting my mountain bike out there more often, those views never get old! thanks for checking out the video!

[@kathymoden-liljekvist7213]

Been driving fish creek since 1970. So nice to see it open again. We’ve hiked to caves there picnic there and swam in the Creek. Thx for the memories

[@kathymoden-liljekvist7213]

Best swimming hole was burnt corral

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

hey no problem.....thank you for sharing

[@gregc6661]

What a great video, thanks so much for sharing it! Much respect to ADOT for doing an excellent job of repairing the rock slide and improving so much else on this trail.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Hey thank you so much for checking out the video!! glad you enjoyed it!

[@jimmyrhodes1808]

The music is awesome for this trail .

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Thank you! I put in a LOT of time to make sure the Music matches the type of video! glad you enjoyed it!

[@ama409573]

After camping at Canyon Lake years ago i traveled the trail all the way to the dam. Was an awesome drive, glad I did it!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

right on! thanks for sharing!

[@gunsup0331]

Done this road many times as a teen and then a young adult. Best views in the SW USA. Cant wait to go again for the end of jet ski season

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

I agree! best views in the USA! hope you get to make it out there again!

[@williamhyde5676]

We took the Apache Trail from Apache Junction past Roosevelt Dam to Tonto Basin several times in 1950-53--when I was about 10. It was narrower then--but we did it first in a 1934 Ford sedan, then later in a 1950 Ford panel truck. No 4wd then! It was exciting, had to use the horn at each curve because any car coming the other direction couldn't see us and there was no room to pass. Once warned, one car had to back till it found a wide spot. After we did it a few times it became just another trip. The highlights for my brothers and me was the little store at Apache Junction that sold lemonade for 10 cents an unlimited glass and then the weekends we spent with friends on their ranch at Tonto Basin/Punkin Center..

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Thank you so much for sharing!...the first time I did this drive was in 2018, and another driver I met coming up the hill stopped to shoot the breeze with me for a few minutes and he told me....Before you come around those sharp turns, honk your horn a couple times to give the other drivers a heads up....in case there was anybody coming down.........and I did that on this drive too!

[@jerrycoggin9434]

Growing up in the 60s and 70s my family would go over fish creek hill coming and going about every weekend all summer long with a pickup truck and camper pulling a boat. Fun times. The road looks pretty good.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

oh neat! thank you for sharing!

[@KYPresto]

Lots of memories of my family traveling to Apache Lake for waterskiing. Fish Creek Hill was always a thrill. Glad it's open again. Thanks for posting!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Hey No problem! thank you for watching the video! I was just out at canyon lake today!

[@ocaphoenix5347]

deep joy, everyone! amazing trail - always x

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Thank you!

[@BartHull]

Years ago, I rode my 1995 Triumph Speed Triple Street bike all the way from Mesa to Globe on the Apache trail. It had lots of really soft and sandy corners that look like they have been graded now. Time for another run for old times sake!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

yea you definitely gotta get back out there! thanks for checking out the video!

[@franciscoperez6356]

Very beautiful ,thank you for sharing !

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

hey no problem! thank you for checking out the video!

[@acc5852]

There is a great hike at Fish Creek Hill with nice swimming holes.

[@Colleen1978]

Excellent video!!! I know you road bike on this part of Apache Trail when it was closed and we hiked it last spring. Love that road. You mentioned all the cars on this road even though high clearance is recommended. We rented a Jeep in Utah and drove a 70 mile dirt and rock road that crossed a river. It was a wild bumpy dusty ride with one pit potty half way. High clearance only recommended. Took all day. We saw all kinds of crazy vehicles including a mini van and a little electric car. We rented the jeep because we didn't want to take our truck on this road and it's a one ton Silverado 350HD. Thanks for the great video!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

and ya know what...shortly after I made that video, I ended up buying an E-bike, and I always wanted to take that back down here but it ended up getting too hot, so I passed on it, luckily this road opened up so I didnt have to bike back down here......and speaking of Utah..........I just got back from there recently......there might be a Utah Drive coming up in the next few weeks!...hint hint, wink wink! as always, thank you for checking out the video 🙏

[@kugangles9860]

So glad this is open again. Early morning rips on my bike down this road was my daily mainstay.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

right!

[@illustratedbliss]

If you love an offroad maneuvering thrill - it's a must! Finding out Fish Creek is re-opened I went down, and OH MY: full of thrill curves, a few down-and-dirty rough spots, and the views!!! My Toyota Matrix looks like it survived the Mad Max apocalypse ( covered in dust, paint scraps, and missing hubcaps), but it was so worth it! It was great seeing you in action, Jessie. Can't wait to see your new video on Sunday!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Thank you so much! you will love the next video! its still on the apache trail, but the perspective is coming from Roosevelt lake to fish creek hill!

[@Nova-ne1il]

Just made my day I honestly thought it would be left closed and let go can't wait to see it like an old friend

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

awesome! hope you get to drive out there soon!

[@azhonda666]

glad to see its open again

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Heck yea!!!

[@kenjacox6032]

Great video, brings back lots of great memories. During the 80’s I was a young Airman at Luke AFB and many of us would take the trek to Apache Lake because of the Waterdog Rec Site sponsored by Williams AFB. There’s only foundations there now. Imagine the “before” photos and people towing big trailers that were towing boats. Things got really tense when those 2 combinations were going opposite directions. We were young and didn’t know any better. I’m glad to see that a more stable/proper road was built.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Hey thank you for sharing! I enjoyed reading your story!

[@elpatudo3670]

Remember: Gravity is forever & speed kills. Take it slow & stay on YOUR side of the road folks!!!🤙🏽👍🏽🍻

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Well said 👍

[@ralphciancio1721]

It's not the speed that kills it's a sudden stops lol

[@FreewayFlippers]

Happy to have that road open again!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

heck yea! it was a blast!

[@kf9ug8365]

I'm from Indiana (flat lander). On a business trip to Scottsdale about 15 years ago, I decided to try the Apache Trail in a rental car. Nothing special about the rental car: no 4WD, no high clearance. I started out my journey going up the Beeline highway to get to the dam. I figured since the Apache Trail was 40 miles long, I could go 20 mph and make the drive in 2 hours. It was important to me to be able to do so because I had 2 hours until sunset. I was scared as shit driving the road. I almost lost it coming up to a corner because the road was washboarded and I didn't think I'd get slowed down in time. So I slowed down after that. This is when I realized I'd never get back to pavement before it got dark. Oh shit! Well, as it turns out, once it got dark then I couldn't see the sheer cliffs so it seemed less scary. Plus I could see headlights of oncoming traffic so I knew when I'd encounter them. When I finally got back to pavement I pried my fingers off the steering wheel for the last time. Until watching these videos, I thought I'd never, ever in my life, ever drive that road again. But maybe I will again someday. MAYBE!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

That is an intense story and I enjoyed reading it! sounds almost identical to the first time I drove the trail, I didnt know how steep the cliffs were. all I knew was that it was a shortcut back to the valley compare to taking beeline highway....and boy were we in for a surprise! thanks for sharing!

[@TrailsideTalks]

I am glad seeing it open again. 24 years ago we drove the Apache Trail down to Apache Lake in a rented Lincoln Towncar. Besides getting back on the road while leaving the lake, we had no issues back then. 🙂

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

haha, thank you for sharing!

[@johnwyoder]

Yay! Nice to see that it's fully open again. Last time I got to drive the full distance to the dam was in March 2017. Our last time in AZ, in April '24, we drove as far as we could. Met a lot of cement trucks that day, heading to and from the construction/repair area. Can't wait to see the newly re-opened section!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Thanks for sharing! and I hope you get to go out there again soon! its pretty amazing!

[@Falkenroth1]

Haha. Drove my two wheel drive Tahoe and a bass boat thru there like 6 years ago. What a trip. Came home thru globe.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Nice!

[@MadeItHappenDaily]

Been waiting to go back. Glad it's open!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Hope you get to go out there! its amazing!

[@OYisit]

Cool, they did a nice job grooming the surface too... 🎉

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

They sure did!

[@BajaGirl302]

Excellent video! I live in Apache Junction and haven’t been down the trail for many years! When I traveled it last, trucks with boat trailers were driving it, and one would have to pull over and wait for the other to squeeze by! Yikes! It’s looking great!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Hey thank you!

[@austinterrill3108]

From age 10 to age 13 i pulled a boat from aj to apache lake on the apache trail via fish creek hill,with a supervising adult ,it was a buetiful drive ,and allways a great camping trip in the summer months

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

hey thank you for sharing 👍

[@bigbigmurphy]

Yes!!!!!! Finally!!!!!

[@cjumilla1]

On my way! Love this road

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Have fun!!!

[@rwadecarter9806]

Nice to hear. We knew Stoney Burke. Family easement into the Reaves Ranch. 60'-80's. done that road with a four horse trailer,, in the Before pictures. Drive safe.

[@carloscarpinteyro332]

I thought that Stoney Burke was a fictional character played by Jack Lord, in the TV series that he starred in, in the early 1960's.

[@rwadecarter9806]

@@carloscarpinteyro332 on hwy 60, just before you head up the hill to Superior, the turn off to Queen Valley the ranch home you see there was Stony's. Hewitt canyon area was their range. He and Ssndra O'Connor are the few cowboys in the Cowboy Hall of Fame that are real cowboys.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Thank you for sharing!

[@carloscarpinteyro332]

@@rwadecarter9806 Wow, never knew that, thanks for enlightening me! Several years ago in that same are, there was an old General Motors designer that lived near there, off the road to the north, and west west of whitlow dam, and south of the golf course. It was on a gravel road, and the street was named after him, Bob Marshall, I think. He showed me and my friend (who grew up in Superior---and we both loved cars) his garage, and he had a mint condition 1964 red corvette stingray, and a 1957 Chevrolet Cameo pick up. Did you ever hear, or know of him? I met him about 2005, and I think that he was in his 80's back then. The 1999 movie "U turns" starring Sean Penn, and Jennifer Lopez, was filmed on that road, and in the town of Superior, as well.

[@Wheelman1966]

That's awesome, great footage. I'm so glad they reopened it.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Thank you! glad you liked it!

[@bigredweekly1666]

Literally made the hike down in March of this year and it’s crazy the difference. I didn’t even realize they reopened part of it. I’m gonna try and go this weekend

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

hey thats when I last hiked it too! was an amazing hike!

[@theil6]

My wife and I hiked that back in March and had lunch on the Rock next to the bridge. We are taking our Jeep down this weekend.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

oh awesome! good times! thank you for sharing!

[@goldviper5280]

Thanks for the info. I've been up and down that road many times of the years. I took visiting relative to Fish Creek one week before the three days of rain made the bolders slide.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Hey no problem! thank you for checking out the video!

[@jcarp1776]

I’ve driven the Apache Trail multiple times as a VW test driver in the 4x4 Amarok pickup. Fish Creek Hill was the worst section, mainly when trying to pass vehicles coming the other way. That section of the road can get very narrow at places, and you could be driving with 2 tires on the edge of the cliff. I would think twice about going if you are afraid of heights, are not a good driver, or if you don’t have the ADoT approved vehicle. Edit. See 9:00 for an example.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

yes!! when two vehicles meet on the narrow parts, thats when thiings get interesting

[@tortugalisa4748]

I love Arizona mountain drives! I need to get out more😊 Great video Jessie, beautiful out there.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

And I have plenty more AZ mountain drives coming in the future! So many to choose from....Thanks again for checking out the video....Glad you enjoyed it! 👍

[@tortugalisa4748]

@@jessiesdroneadventures7464 I sure did enjoy this one👍 Can't wait for the next Arizona mountain drive😁

[@TheApacheTrail]

I have not been past Fish Creek Lookout - everyone in town is excited it is finally open.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

yea, its big news! after 5 long awaited years!

[@wyioughta]

this is the one ive been waiting for! thank you!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

hey no problem! I've also been waiting a long time for this to open so I could make this video! thanks for checking it out! 👍

[@kellandreader]

We drove the Trail before the rockslide in a Hertz Mustang. It was black when we left Tortilla Flats…. VERY dusty when we got to Roosevelt. Really needed a rinse off. Another great vid!.. Thanks! Now I have to go back and see it again…...

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Hey thank you for sharing.....glad you enjoyed the video! hope you get to make it out there again.....such an amazing drive! never disappoints!

[@kellandreader]

@@jessiesdroneadventures7464 AND, btw, there weren’t any “4WD Only” signs back then or we wouldn’t have done the drive. We had no problems with the ‘Stang, other than the dust.

[@fredwolf1754]

Wow, that is great video. The Apache Trail looks like a super highway compared to the Trail of nearly 20 years ago the last time that I drove it in my 1999 Hyundai Sonata. I never had a problem on it other than it being a very bumpy ride. I plan on running it next week driving my Side by Side now that it is open. The Highway Dept. did a great job on it. Again, nice work on the video. Thank You!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Hey thank you! glad you enjoyed the video and I hope you have fun when you make it out there! thanks for checking out the video!

[@melodyhart1331]

Excelent video,loved that you showed the types of cars that drove it.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Hey thank you! I wanna go out there again and get more clips of vehicles driving up and down the hill! thanks for checking out the video! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@DougPoulton]

Back in the 1980's I used to tow my 20' Sea Ray with a Z28 Camaro from Mesa to Apache Lake via fish creek hill. One time I encountered a guy pulling a pontoon party barge from the opposite direction and we held up traffic for about an hour trying to get around each other.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

oh goodness! I believe it!

[@MortenDamm]

excellent video! Perfect editing.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

well thank you! I appreciate that! glad you enjoyed the video!

[@cw50must]

I was out there the following day(20th). Yes, that is the smoothest that road has ever been. Its very scenic back there so its good to have access to the area again.

[@lauraslanesvanlifetravels]

On certain parts, it reminds me of the Zion canyon, right where you go around a corner and close to that part that was closed. When I was a child me and my mom and dad went on this drive back in like the early 80's and unfortunately, a really bad rain storm happened and I remember being really scared but my dad was determined to finish the drive...I have kinda wanted to venture and go through there but found out it was closed, but recently read that it may re-open soon and...well, here it is! Excited that it's re-opened and I might just make that drive myself...but still a little scared lol BTW...looks like they did a really GREAT job re-storing and smoothing the road out!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Yea!!! I was just out at Zion canyon too, last week.....there may, or may not be a video coming up related to Zion hehe, and yes! they did a fabulous job with the road....Thanks for tuning into the video

[@lauraslanesvanlifetravels]

@@jessiesdroneadventures7464 That's going to be epic...I love those window galleries along the tunnel, my adventure there came from the east and when I was driving through that tunnel (for the 1st time), I was like...wait...wtf is going on outside!!!??? I could not BELIEVE that canyon! Probably the most beautiful place I have ever been...although the west coast runs close!

[@alannachristie6495]

Love the befores and afters! Great video!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Well thank you! appreciate you checking out the video!

[@HarleyGannon-h8q]

what fantastic news! I was fearing they would never fix it.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

it took them long enough, but hey, they got it!

[@TheArmando135]

Very nice video ! THANKS

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

no prob! thanks for checking it out!

[@BarbaraSalisbury-st7bu]

Another awesome video - thank you.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Thank you so much! glad yo enjoyed it! couldnt wait to make this video!

[@DJK-e7c]

Great job! I'm so glad they finally made it functional but didn't over-do it. Fantastic job on the video & audio Jessie.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Thank you so much!!! I couldnt wait to put this video together! had so much fun out there too! thank you for watching!

[@phillivingston8237]

Great drone view and narrative of the area, Thanks for sharing. I took the drive down in my Jeep Liberty at 6:00 A.M. September 17, 2024. Forest Service gatekeeper, Hiram, said that I was good to go. He said just follow the water tank truck. I drove all the way to MM229. Great work by ADOT.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

thank you! I just got done checking out your video! Been watching a lot of jeep and other 4x4 vehicle videos of the apache trail since it opened!

[@phillivingston8237]

@@jessiesdroneadventures7464 Thank you for watching.

[@howardb.6205]

SO VERY COOL! Thanks brother!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Hey no problem! thanks for checking out the video! 👍

[@sandiwilliams7101]

Once again a very enjoyable journey! Love the before and after pictures.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Thank you Sandi! I had a lot of fun putting this one together! been waiting a long time for this part of the road to open up again!

[@rubiconadventurewithscotty3258]

Scotty Mac sighted at 9:13, White 392XR with 2 Red RotoPax on back - Great to see you there! I recall your drone flyingby!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

awesome!

[@DesertRat62]

They should have an annual Pikes Peak style road race the full length of the Apache Trail.

[@jen3345]

I took my old sedan up fish creek hill during the superbloom in 2018 or 2019. I had been on that road before (my family would sometimes go boating at Apache Lake when I was growing up), but this time my car got stuck at a deep rut in the hill. We tried to stack some rocks where my tire could go but that didn't work. Luckily we didn't block anyone as there was room to move over at that spot. Ultimately we just had to gun it, spin the tires a bit and get some momentum to make it out. Good times, and lots of wildflowers that year!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

haha, hey sometimes you have to gun it and hope for the best! thank you for sharing your story!

[@LFTRnow]

About 10 years ago, tried the trail on a dual sport cycle (Suz 650 Vstrom). Swore I'd never do that again. It did have one benefit though, being narrow on that road is a major plus. The trip was insanely bumpy and pretty harrowing. It looks really nice now.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Thank you for sharing! and yes, the trail is in good shape....for now haha

[@terstein63]

I did this drive from AJ to Roosevelt Dam in a VW Bus in the early '90s. Going to do it in the opposite direction in my VW Atlas AWD next month. Thanks for the awesome video!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

hey no problem! hope you have fun on your drive!

[@Jarnor23]

So glad to see it reopened! When I moved to AZ I started exploring my new state. I wasn't expecting what I got into when I drove the 88, and it was amazing and terrifying at the same time. :) That first time, I had taken a sedan. Every time after that I'd use a vehicle with a bit more clearance. It kind of weirds me out that they say 4X4, that road looks WAY better than when I drove it in a sedan before the closure. I want to do it again now, but my SUV is 2WD, so not technically within their advice. Really not sure why you'd need 4 wheel drive for the road as you showed in the video. Maybe if it washes out some in the future, but it sure looked good for now.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Thank you for sharing!

[@thomasrinschler6783]

I've been down the Apache Trail several times, and I'm so glad it's back open. Once when my mom was in Phoenix for a business trip, I took her along it, and she very much enjoyed it, saying it was an "adventure". A few years later, when both she and my dad brought their RV out to camp at Lost Dutchman State Park, they also drove the route (not in the RV!), but my dad was less impressed, calling it "Route 666" lol. But for anyone visiting the Phoenix area, and you have a full day to spend, I'd definitely recommend taking the Apache Trail. You can explore the Superstition Mountains and see Theodore Roosevelt Dam, and Tonto National Monument (some ancient native dwellings) is just past the end of the route. Come back via US 60 and the canyons it descends through (although there's construction in that area right now) for a nice round trip.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Thank you for sharing! 🙏

[@javig5045]

Oh yea, I can finally drive it all the way through, I've done it from both ends this year and was eagerly anticipating this day, thank's for bringing the news so soon after it's reopening, I will be out there real soon I assure you, thank's again and I've enjoyed some of your other adventures, so keep em coming Amigo....Javi G. Tucson, Az

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Hey Thank you so much Javi g! appreciate those kind words! I tried to get here as soon as I could after I heard the news! Been waiting for what seems like forever to make this video haha. thanks again for checking out the videos 👍

[@HikerDave57]

Rode this on my motorcycle today, a Thursday so road construction between here and Roosevelt dam was going on. The flaggers waved me through every closed section but they probably wouldn't have done so if I was on a car. I guess the tradeoff is weekend traffic vs weekday construction. Lots of loose gravel so if you're on a motorcycle be comfortable with the wheels wandering around a bit.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

I know exactly what you mean, I was just out there 2 days ago, and in fact, my next video will be doing the drive from roosevelt dam to fish creek hill....Thank you for sharing!

[@larryferrari2597]

Moved to Phx in 1987....drove around the Superstitions from Phx through Globe and onto the Apache trail ( Rt 88 ) with my wife across Roosevelt Dam before the bridge was built....crossed onto the dirt trail at dusk heading back to Phx without knowing the danger of Fish Cteek Hill. Feeling confident in my 4WD skills , and my wife sound asleep, I drove my ' 79 Blazer pedal to the metal all the way back to AJ... It wasn't until I drove the trail in the daytime a few years later without my wife that I saw just how lucky I was not to have ended up in the Salt River canyon below. For obvious reasons, I never told her.

[@davidelack8809]

i drove my 66 rambler ,manual brakes no power steering years ago before the damage happened down there. loved it

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

lol

[@kslinaz5668]

I drove a 2005 PT Cruiser on that road "before" it was fixed. All the way to Roosevelt Lake. So, I'm sure it's very do-able today.❤🎉

[@igelbofh]

I've done the drive, a few times from Roosevelt dam. First time around 2010 in a rental (some kind of FWD Kia I think), then in a Nissan Juke a few times between 2013 and 2016, my favorite time to go is on December 31 or at full moon. Start from the Rosevelt side just at sunset, arrive at Apache junction around midnight.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

thank you for sharing!

[@turkfiles]

Would love to drive it someday. I’m not far away in SoCal. Have a RAV4 AWD. Would be a great drive. Great video. Thanks much.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Hey thank you for checking it out! hope you get to make the drive one day....its a one of a kind!

[@ericsays8801]

Wow, that’s nice to hear! Going there tomorrow!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Have fun!

[@ericsays8801]

@@jessiesdroneadventures7464 Thanks Jessie!

[@hannahmorris1835]

The geotechnical engineering firm I work at helped clear this road of debris. It was an interesting and challenging project!

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

interesting...thank you for sharing!

[@jackland454]

Used to ride on this with my papaw in his motor home when we camped at apache back in the day.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

thank you for sharing!

[@thisisbubblegumx]

I road through there in an old Mustang at night. A friend was driving and I had no idea what the road was like.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

whoa!

[@sherifx5122]

My understanding for the 4x4 warming and specific vehicle requirements is because it will be back to the way it once was due to not being regularly maintained. After a couple of monsoon seasons it will be rutted out again. A fun scenic day drive is going up over 4 peaks and returning the 88 of vice-versa.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

That is my interpretation as well!

[@allanbacon2977]

Never traveled over Fish Creek Hill but I have had liver and onions in Oklahoma.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

lol

[@DK5ONV]

Great Stuff! Southwest Germany is waving a Hand 💯👍🙋‍♂

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Guten Tag! Glad you liked the video and thank you for watching all the way from Germany! 🙋‍♂️

[@DovieRuthAuthor]

I would think a vehicle’s clearance would have the most to do with whether it could navigate a road. My Nissan Frontier only has 2-wheel drive but it sits up high. It got up and down Mineral King Road in California with no problems.

[@walkingman9171]

Years ago drove my Honda civic on it with no problem. Although there were some washboard areas that were not ideal, hopefully they fixed those. Today I would use my 2wd ranger and be fine, as long as it is not raining or has not recently rained.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

I think they keep telling people only 4x4 high clearance to prevent any possible "cars getting stuck in the ditch" i mean it is a very smooth road, but theres always that one person

[@DovieRuthAuthor]

@@jessiesdroneadventures7464 Haha! That reminds me of a street median where I live that is particularly high. Sedans 🚘 occasionally get high-centered on it.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

@@DovieRuthAuthor haha

[@wje2]

Dude! Great video. I love your commentaries. You really inspire me to explore our state. Yesterday I did the Hoover dam because of you. I got to see all the hats. Thank you.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

Hey thanks dude!! appreciate you checking out the video! lol and yes!! all those hats at the hoover dam graveyard, everyday more hats get added to the collection.....you making a video on your visit? and I'mk glad your getting out there and exploring our state! so many amazing things to see!

[@wje2]

@@jessiesdroneadventures7464 Yes Jessie, I made a video but I spent a week in Vegas and I have quite a bit of video to edit. I bet you know that feeling, so the video will be going live over the next few weeks.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

@wje2 that I do!! Hoping to get out to the vegas area again maybe in october, see what the scene at lake mead is looking like......but ill keep an eye out for that video!

[@wje2]

@@jessiesdroneadventures7464 In Oct. I will be going to Philly and making vids from there.

[@dianesnow9806]

Thank you for the great video. The older I get the less I like the trail. 😊 My son did drive us out to Tortilla Flats a couple of months ago. This mom said constantly slow down, keep your eyes on the road. Don’t think I’ll be taking that ride anytime soon. But I had always enjoyed it going all the way to the dam. Wasn’t there a spot where the water meets the road? I remember longing just to picnic along there. Nobody around. I loved imagining how it must have been driving the wagons through there. Now I was a lot younger in those dare devil days. 😂 I remember driving it a lot of times over the years. Thought they would never get it opened again but it sure looks a lot better now. Thank you for the safe ride!🚘🚙

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

lol, thank you for sharing your story! there is multiple places along the salt river where you can park and walk down to the river, but as far as where the water meets the road.........the only thing I can think of is when your passing through torilla flat, after a good down pour, water does slightly come up over the road and down into the wash....but I havent seen water down there in a long time.....if its the one that im thinking of....thanks again for sharing your story and checking out the video!

[@dianesnow9806]

@@jessiesdroneadventures7464 if I am remembering right it was just after going over the bridge and then the road dipped down (I know memories fool us) it seemed like it was kinda overgrown and oh I guess I’ll never know now. Thank you again. 👏🏻

[@DesertMav]

I drove up to the Fish Creek overlook back around 2020 not long after they closed up the trail. Some of the trail was very nice and drivable, but there were a few sections that were not packed dirt, but essentially larger stones that rattled my Toyota Tacoma quite a bit. I will say that my Tacoma is a 2WD model base model, so it has ok clearance, it's not made for real off-roading. The other thing I noticed was that the only other vehicles on the trail were a 4X4 Dodge Ram and someone that took an Audi convertible out there. The drone footage shows that the trail looks a lot nice than it was when I went in 2020. I may try to go up to the overlook again with my new truck, but it's also a 2WD. PS: My desktop background is set to a really nice photo from the trail.

[@jessiesdroneadventures7464]

haha nice! thanks for sharing your story!