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Kaibab Roads

My son has a 12A Archery tag and I'll be taking him up over labor day with a few extra days added on ahead of the weekend.

I haven't been up on the Kaibab in 20yrs and don't recall what the roads are like during the archery/monsoon season. It seemed like back then just about any road I used was good enough for a car and the bad ones were still doable in a 4x2. Plus I don't recall any AZ pinstriping.

That said, it seems that every where I go nowadays the roads have not been maintained now that everyone has an ATV/UTV. I keep running into narrow high clearance rutted roads with offroading loops around bad parts. It seems I have to take pick, shovel, chainsaw, just about everywhere I go.

So, what's it like on the Kaibab now? Can I get out on any road in my F250 diesel 4x4 or are there areas that will be a problem? Should I take a UTV (low way to tow and I prefer the comfort of my truck)? If truck accessible, will it take me hours to get all the way down a ridge that I can cover in <30m in a UTV? Are there creeks or flooding washes to deal with in heavy rain?

I was considering being a nomad and keeping camp in the back of the truck i.e. just park it wherever I happen to be at the end of the day and sleep on the ground (or in a small tent if its raining). Its something I have always enjoyed doing when I am out on my own which my son has yet to experience. Its not something I have ever done with a UTV.

I'll probably post this on the other forums too.

Congrats on the tag. I would highly suggest you get on the Kaibab NF website and look at there travel management map. Numerous roads have been closed. The rule of thumb is, if its not on the map, its closed. I have it downloaded on my phone for quick reference. Also, the 30ft camping rule is in effect. Last year I had many vehicles driving on one closed road to get to another closed road. I called the North Kaibab office to complain to no avail. I even supplied lic# and vehicle descriptions. I based my hunting strategy on a closed road and needless to say I was not happy. I have this tag again and I will be calling them next week that they need to enforce the closures. I don't even take my quad, there's deer everywhere. Good luck on your hunt.

The roads are great for the most part. Like he said the there is deer everywhere so you cant go wrong really. The only real bad muddy places are way off the west side where you drop off the plateau and you can get into some mud bogs. But really you dont need to do that just stay on top. I go up there alot and I really never use 4 wheel drive only when I go up during the snow season. Good Luck!

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