Re: Arizona and Four Wheel Drives
PObrien776 (PObrien776@aol.com)
Fri, 24 Apr 1998 11:50:02 EDT
I have traversed all the roads mentioned with sedans. You have to be careful.
For French Joe Canyon a short wheelbase is an asset (i.e. an economy class
car) because of the largish "speed bumps". The same is true for Fort Huachuca
with the concrete gullies where washes cross the road. Be advised that the
last steep downhill portion of California Gulch (which I have done in a sedan)
is now closed and you have to walk in the last 1/4 to 1/2 mile. I understand
that you can come in from the other direction, but I'm not familiar with the
road. You can also get into Chino Canyon with a small car. The going is
slow, but it's not impossible. I haven't heard of any reports of Black-capped
Gnatcatchers from there this year but there are at least two reports from
locations further north, nearer to Phoenix. Check AZ/NM Birds on the net.
To sum it up, most folks don't even think about a 4-wheel drive when planning
their AZ birding trips. They cost too much. You could do most of the trip
with a sedan and save the rougher canyons for the last couple of days,
switching vehicles near the end, if you are concerned. I rented a 4-wheel for
the first time last spring to go into Chino for the Gnatcatcher, but I had
only one day and wanted to be sure I made it since there had been a lot of
rain, and Gary Rosenberg had scrapped an earlier date because of the road
conditions. As it turned out I didn't really need the 4-wheel, since two
other parties came in after me using sedans. So just go and enjoy.
Paul O'Brien
Rockville, MD
pobrien776@aol.com