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01.START-END WEST:jct Adobe Rd - Signal Butte Rd 02.jct Superstition Blvd - Az88 Apache Trail 03.TOP: Apache Trail s(u)-1,not far before Apache Gap, 2320ft 04.turnoff to Mormon Flat Dam on left 05.Tortilla Flat 06.unpaved turnoff onto North Apache Trail to Horse Mesa 07.TOP: Apache Trail s(u)-2, 2980ft, Fish Creek Vista 08.bridge over Fish Creek 09.TOP: Apache Trail s(u)-3, and turnoff to Reavis trailhead, 2680ft 10.turnoff to road to Apache Lake 11.TOP: Apache Trail s(u)-4, 2520ft 12.another high point, 2490ft 13.START-END EAST: low point before climbing to dam

Approaches

From West. Past a low point at Canyon Lake, curvy Az88 starts climbing again. But it's only a small climb. This little divide switches the viewshed from the heavily boated and marina infested, scenic little  lake to a shallow valley. At its bottom are a few old west style buildings, carefully aged and manicured to induce tourists to stop.

From here a beautiful climb starts, that increases the viewshed east at a constant rate. At this point things seem perfect, great surface with barely to no traffic, fantastic landscapes. The temperate december day is warming up so that I shed the last jacket - none of the usual headaches like rumble strips or frost heaves, no 2 inch cracks in the pavement that makes the gps fall off the handlebar, just incredibly far views, with a plethora of cacti to choose from for every photograph.

And then it all ends. I should have known. The absence of traffic is a dead give-away that the road will turn to dirt. I really should have known that. It's only 200ft more climbing to the summit, where a short walk leads out on a neck of sorts, that is viewpoint over a canyon, as well as the wild drop ahead that the road negotiates.

Slideshow of Western Approach and the summit area

From East. (described downwards) This side is actually quite small, but also a very rugged road construction, that feels like a different country. Rock overhangs over the road like this are almost nonexistent in the US. But there is definitely one here. Also the guard rails are a more straight forward construction, that fits much better in the environment. The steep shelf road descends to a bridge between cliffs in deep shadow. The absence of sunlight causes a sudden drop in temperature. Later, back in warming sunlight, two more narrow bridges cross Sheep Creek. But that is already past the low point, heading up the next Apache Trail summit.

Slideshow of Eastern Approach

Dayride with this point as highest summit:

PARTIALLY PAVED UNPAVED.

( < Az88 Apache Trail s(u)-1 | Az88 Apache Trail s(u)-3 >)

Az88 Apache Trail s(u):-2 Tortilla Flat - Fish Creek x2: near 2 miles west of Canyon Lake <> Canyon Lake <> Az88 Apache Trail s(u): Tortilla Flat - Fish Creek x2 <> turnaround point past low point at second bridge over Lewis and Pranty Creek: 31.4miles with 3560ft of climbing in 3:45hrs (garmin etrex32x r4:24.12.13)
Notes: short ride, turnaround due to sand and washboard not so great for the road bike