April 2019 – After our quick trip to southeastern Utah to photograph the red rocks and fantastic rock formations, we took our RV back down south to eastern Arizona. Leaving Utah’s chilly late winter air behind us, we found Spring was in full bloom in the Arizona desert.
Exploring Arizona’s Black Hills National Back Country Byway.
The most extraordinary display of wildflowers covered the hillsides at the base of the Salt River Canyon, and we can’t recommend highly enough making a trek there to see the flowing blankets of yellow poppies and purple lupine that ripple between the towering canyon walls at the peak of spring.
Unfortunately, now that we drive The Train, we weren’t able to stop and savor the views. The pullouts are plenty big enough for a rig like ours if it’s the only thing parked there, but each one was filled with cars and happily gawking tourists who were gazing at the wonder.
Next time!
Buddy romps in a blanket of wildflowers.
But once we set up camp, our RZR got us out into the desert and we saw some beautiful wildflowers.
Spring flowers! (Sneeze!)
One day we decided to take the RZR on the Black Hills National Back Country Byway, a dirt road that was first built by settlers in the 1800s as a route connecting the flat farmlands around Safford with the mining communities in the hills around Morenci.
There are picnic areas and plaques explaining the local history along the Black Hills Back Country Byway.
After Buddy was done reading the plaque, he rested in the cool shade below it.
This dirt road is about 21 miles long and it winds up into the junipers and back down into the desert on its journey.
Black Hills Back Country Byway
Arizona’s Black Hills Back Country Byway
Delicate and sweet.
Before and After (if you can believe it!).
.
.
These things are huge and were in bloom all over the place.
From tiny purple flowers wriggling in the breeze to pretty yellow poppies dancing in the sunlight, we saw all kinds of flowers brightening this otherwise relatively drab landscape.
Yellow desert poppies.
Fuzzy leaves and pretty blossoms.
So cheery!
Little pink stars.
Desert daisies.
Surely in the dandelion family!
The fun thing about doing this drive with the RZR is it was easy to hop in and out of it every few miles to poke around and take pics. It was a balmy Thursday, and in our three hours on the road (we go slowly!) we saw only one other vehicle, a motorcycle.
.
Buddy sniffed the flowers now and then, but he was more interested in the little critters that make this area home. We had seen two red-headed bugs with antennae flying while linked together. It was spring, and they were doing what the birds and the bees tend to do in springtime!
Then I noticed a patch of purple flowers that was loaded with these red headed bugs!
A bush full of purple flowers was also full of red-headed bugs!
Buddy has discovered the joys of lizard hunting, and he chased quite a few on our excursion. He loves the chase, and on rare occasions he actually catches up to one too. They’re clever though, and they play dead to make him stop chasing!
A lizard plays dead at Buddy’s feet.
Buddy found this guy who was actually already quite dead and stiff!
There are several picnic areas along this route with views that look out into the hills. These rest areas have picnic tables and ramadas covered with copper roofs and lots of information about the history of the area.
Black Hills Back Country Byway at the Phelps Dodge Copper Mine Overlook
One of the most amazing views is of the Phelps Dodge copper mine in Clifton-Morenci. This is one of the largest copper mines in the world and has been extracting copper from the hills for almost 150 years.
The Phelps Dodge copper mine in Morenci Arizona has been extracting copper since 1872.
Arizona schoolkids learn that Arizona is known for the five C’s – Cattle, Copper, Cotton, Climate and Citrus. We saw two of the C’s together while driving the Black Hills Back Country Byway!
Two of Arizona’s “Five C’s” in one photo – Cattle and Copper!
At the mine overlook there were several big boulders with copper embedded in them along with detailed descriptions of how the copper is extracted.
Copper waiting to be extracted. It looks a little like lichen!
It was fun at another point on this drive to see tall red penstemon flowers against the backdrop of a boulder filled with lichen.
Pensetemon flowers with a lichen covered boulder in the background.
Another thing Arizona is known for is sunsets. The word doesn’t start with a C, but reliably dramatic sunsets definitely make Arizona a very a special place!
The sunsets in Arizona are hard to beat!
Lakeside sunset overlooking Four Peaks.
Flower Power!
As we’ve continued experimenting with triple towing, we’ve learned a few more things in recent weeks. One of the attractions of a toy hauler is the very cool back patio deck most have, and I’ve been drawn to several units that had side patios too.
Well, one afternoon I looked at our utility trailer and realized it would make a wonderful little raised patio!
If the rig is positioned right, the whole rear wall of the trailer can shade the patio, and by being up off the ground you don’t get that bitter cold breeze from under the trailer that you do when you hang out on camp chairs at ground level.
The utility trailer makes a nifty raised patio!
A nice spot to share a sundowner… at the risk of someone saying:
“You know you’re a redneck when your back patio is a trailer!”
Another thing we’ve learned is that when you make a super tight turn, depending on the design of the utility trailer, it may be possible for a front corner of the utility trailer to make contact with the back of the fifth wheel trailer.
So, if you are getting set up to triple tow, you might consider taking your rig to a huge and vacant parking lot to try a few slow sharp u-turns to see just how tightly your rig can turn before contact is made between the two trailers.
Sunset in Arizona
Arizona is a beautiful state and we’re looking forward to watching Springtime continue to unfold here.
A yawn at sunset.
“Blue moon…You saw me standing alone…”
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More info:
- Salt River Canyon Map – If you drive your RV you’ll need a strong engine and nerves of steel for the steep grades and switchbacks
- Black Hills Back Country Byway – BLM website
- History of the Phelps Dodge copper mine – Keeping chefs cooking (copper clad pots) and electrons flowing (in wire) since 1872
- Ten biggest producing copper mines in the world – Phelps Dodge mine in Morenci is listed here as #8
- Black Hills Back Country Byway Map – Passenger vehicles are okay but a high clearance 4×4 is recommended
Other blog posts from southeastern Arizona:
- Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum – Wild Animals in Tucson AZ
- Arizona’s Eastern Chiricahuas – Finding Beauty in Devastation
- Dear Deer in Arizona’s Chiricahua Mountains
- Old Adobe Doorways & An Evening Walk in Tucson AZ
- Saguaro National Park Petroglyphs – Tucson Mountains, AZ
- San Xavier Mission – Spanish Colonial Architecture in Tucson AZ
- Sandhill Cranes in Willcox Arizona – What a Party!
- Swift Trail Scenic Drive up Mt. Graham – Autumn Color in Arizona
Our most recent posts:
- Beehive Trail in Arizona – A “Mini Wave” hike by Lake Powell 07/19/24
- Reese Goose Box Review: 20K Gen 3 TESTED + How to Hitch 06/27/24
- Lake Powell – Heart of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area 05/10/24
- Quick Release Pull Pins for Fifth Wheel Landing Jacks – YES! 05/03/24
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I would like to see more photos of the road itself, during your travels on it. The wildflower photography is great and just beautiful.
Thanks for sharing your travels. We really enjoy it.
John
We didn’t take many photos of the road this time, John. Thanks for appreciating our flower photos!
do you have trouble with triple towing in any states
The legality of triple towing varies state by state. In some states it is illegal. In others it is legal but there is a maximum length and/or other restrictions. We have triple towed only in AZ and UT so far, and in both states our setup is legal.
Em,
I think you and Mark are onto something: Classes for how to drive a huge rig and utility trailer. 🙂 I wouldn’t have a clue where to begin.
Amazing how much beauty can be found in AZ, between the mountains, rock formations, flowers, and skies. As always, Buddy looks like he’s having the time of his life.
Bob
Mark does a great job of driving our rig, but I don’t think he’d want to give classes!! There are lots of places where you can learn the tricks of the trade for driving a big RV, but Mark prefers to spend his time out and about with his camera!! I hope you’ll get out here to AZ soon and see the beauty for yourself. Buddy will show you around!!
Never even knew about the Black Hills area. We’ll put it on our must visit. I think your whitish daisies are chicory. Great photos, very enjoyable. I forwarded your newsletter of Buddy’s magazine covers to a friend and she really enjoyed it!
We never did either, Liz. We turned down a dirt road and there was this big sign and then we drove a little further and there was a kiosk with lots of info! Thanks for the tip about the chicory and also for sharing Buddy’s magazine covers with your friend!!
Love your flower photos! One caution though: a flower photo includes a black and red bug with it. This is one of several species called blister beetles. They can cause severe skin reactions on both human and canine victims. Be extremely careful with your puppy sniffing around the outback around here.
https://askabiologist.asu.edu/explore/big-bad-beetle
Very interesting info and link! As I mentioned in the text, this bush of flowers was packed with them. Thanks for the warning!
….”without a dream in my heart…”…but you are living yours ! A+ for those spectacular Arizona sunsets and gorgeous wildflower photos. But, best of all – relaxing on your newly-discovered back-porch !!!!
We are indeed living our dream, and we’re so fortunate to have this opportunity, including kicking back on our funky little deck! Thank you for appreciating our pics. Lots of beautiful wildflowers still blooming here!!
Great article with wonderful desert flowers! I wondered before I started if you were in South Dakota!; didn’t know there were “Black Hills” in Arizona!
We never knew there was a “Black Hills” area in Arizona either until we poked our heads down this dirt road and saw the signs for the Back Country Byway. It’s an interesting drive and the flowers were just delightful. Thank you for reading, Susan!
You got some incredible shots there, the wildflowers are beautiful but my favorite is the lakeside shot!
Thank you, Jim & Barb!! Mark took that shot and I just love it too!!
Love the pics!
FYI we are fulltimers in a Cyclone 3611JS with the rear patio. We travel with our side by side Honda Pioneer in the garage. Love the rear patio. Caution about toy haulers with a side patio, if the patio is up the RV tends to be very dark inside. Side patio down would be no problem with boondocking but at a campground space may be an issue. Buddy is just adorable!
Thanks for the info, Susan. I’m sure most side patio toy haulers are very dark inside when the patio is closed, and that has been a concern for us. It seems like the best option would be for the side patio to be built off of the side wall of the garage to avoid that. Some manufacturers are moving the side patio further back so there can be a curbside window that is usable all the time in the main living area, but it’s a huge trade-off — interior natural light versus a side patio! Buddy sends a tail wag — happy travels to you!!