Muleshoe Ranch Area
The Muleshoe Ranch Area consists of many off road trails to satisfy the off road thirsts of hard core rock crawlers to bone stock vehicles with the dealer stickers still on. Just by looking at a good topo map, (Hooker’s Springs Quad, amongst others), you can get a good sence of where you can take your Tundra. (No, you do not want to go where there are a lot of squigly contour lines really close together on a topo map). If you take a look at a Forest Service map, you will notice many roads that require 4 wheel drive with good ground clearence though. I took the Muleshoe Rd. The road from the Highway to the Ranch Head quarters is a flat dirt road that boasts nothing but an occasional dead snake in the middle of the road. Once you get to the Muleshoe Ranch Headquartes, Please sign in, read the rules, and take any flyers. This area consists of BLM Land, Forest Service Land, and land owned by the Nature Conservancy. Please respect the private land especially, we do not want them to close it off.
I took the road from the HQ north (I did not notice any others) Once you past the gate, you will use 4Hi all the way to the end. For the record, this road is known as the Muleshoe Road. From the gate, you will be in the midst of trees green with leaves (hey, it’s a novelty in this part of the country). You will head north on along the west side of the Winchester mountains. The road is rough, so your top speed will be around 10MPH. 3.5 miles from the gate, you will come across a small road that heads down to some trees, a dry stream, and the remains of an adobe house that burned downed decades ago. We scouted this area on foot and came accoss a couple white bucks about 8:30AM.
From there, we got back on Muleshoe Road and headed north. For you rock climbers out there, the west side of the Winchester’s displays some rock faces that will definitely test your skills. About 6.0 miles from the gate, you come across the “Pride Ranch.” There is a cabin in good shape with wells, tanks, and wind mills. The cabin can be used by any one for a fee of 15 dollars a night. You need ot call in advance though. PM me if you need the number. From the “Pride Ranch” be more careful on the road, as rocks large enough to do some major damage may be hiding over a burm, or in some weeds.” When your traveling along the Muleshoe road, you pass by many canyons that may be fun to hike in. Very scenic area. The road dead ends at Jackson’s Cabin, about 14.6 miles from the gate. Near the Cabin there may be a road that heads out west to the San Pedro River. I missed it, but was told its there. I have no knowledge about how passabel the road is though. I headed out the way I came in. All in all, this is a good route where you do not have to worry too much about Arizona Pin Striping. Lots of wild life, and even some hot springs.
I must admit though, I did not intend to do any off-roading. My purpose for heading down this road was to go scouting for my deer hunt. I did see some bucks, and I hope to see them later this month. This road requires 4 wheel drive, and your 4x4 Tundra is more than capable.
The Muleshoe Ranch Area is located about 110 mile east of Tucson. To get there you need to head east on Interstate 10 to Willcox (exit 340) Go south to the first right turn, Bisbee Avenue, which is next to the shopping center. Follow Bisbee Avenue past the high school to Airport Road, and turn right. After about 15 miles, take the right fork at junction (left goes to Cascabel) just past mailboxes and follow for another 14 miles or so. The Muleshoe Ranch Headquarters are located at the end of this road.
P.S. Sean, kind of similar, technically speaking, to the Kingston Peak route.
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...Gone Fishing...
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