As far as AZ dirt roads go, this one was pretty nice to ride on. No severe washboard, and the elevation change was minimal until we started dropping into the reservoir. Traffic was surprisingly light, so we didn’t have dust in our eyes and mouths as we ripped down along the dirt with spectacular views of bright blue water to our right.

We reached the main parking lot and saw there was no camping, but the road continued to a large dip and back up into a second parking lot, as did we. From here a section of rutted jeep road continued on, winding along the ridge at a slow descent. It’s a good thing it was slow, too, as the road got increasingly rocky as we went. Though the sound of rattles and mug dangles were concerning, everything stayed well connected to the bikes. A few offroad vehicles continued to travel with us on this particular road, which ended at a last parking lot with basic vaulted bathrooms and a dumpster. At this point it seemed the main road ended, but for a section of doubletrack, obscured by a metal swing gate declaring No Motorized Vehicles, and a narrow opening at the left side. Scott and I wheeled our bikes up and through the opening, following the straight and narrow to see where it would lead us (something resembling a hammockable campsite, I hoped).