Who's a Cinders Expert?

RichB · Post by **RichB** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 9:54 am

The Mrs wants to go to AZ for Memorial Weekend for a relaxation/sight-seeing type trip. I was thinking about base-camping either at or near Cinders. I'm not necessarily down with being set up in the dust bowl that I've read about though. Any tips or feedback on "dispursed" camping either at or near Cinders OHV area would be greatly appreciated!

I could bring the quad(s) or not, but like I said earlier I figured it'd be a cheap (free) place to camp around some trees and still be in striking distace of the GC, Sedona, etc etc.

Thanks in advance!

RacingRay · Post by **RacingRay** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:22 am

It is a fun place to ride. Unlike the dunes the dust is really only bad when riding. If you don't take the quads you will always regret it. Lots of camping areas to chose from and some of the most challenging hills to climb. Take it easy and remember your at an elevation of 7500 feet. To get the quads to run like the dunes be preparedto jet down a couple of sizes though not necessary it does help. Some of the most beautiful riding you will ever do but talk about whoops!!! Trails with big berms in the turns kinda like kiddie tracks through pine forests.

RichB · Post by **RichB** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:43 am

Is it easy to find spots at night (when we'd be getting there) and have you ever been there over Memorial wknd?

I've read a bunch of posts and if I remember right saw some pictures of folks camped in a mega dust bowl from a couple years ago.

RobC · Post by **RobC** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 11:35 am

The cinders are a great place to camp. The weather over Memorial weekend is usually great, with a little rain usually, and pretty cool nights. It does get busy on the holiday weekends, but you should be able to find a decent place to camp. Just follow the stream of trailers into the area. It's pretty much wide open and you can camp anywhere you want once you're in the area. The hills there are huge. If you do plan on doing any riding there, bring an old set of paddles. The cinders do tear up your tires, especially if you try to climb any of the hills. The dust can be pretty bad when you're riding, especially if it hasn't rained in a while. We usually go up the for that weekend.

RacingRay · Post by **RacingRay** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 11:41 am

RichB wrote:Is it easy to find spots at night (when we'd be getting there) and have you ever been there over Memorial wknd?

I've read a bunch of posts and if I remember right saw some pictures of folks camped in a mega dust bowl from a couple years ago.

There are lots of places to camp right off the main road. Finding a camp at night should be no problem. The cinders are VERY aggressive and will most likely do in your paddles we use an old set for visits there. Just like the dunes a visit after a rain will offer the best riding conditions. When you get to the pay station tell the rangers you are going to the cinders and they will let you pass through without paying just don't stop to use the restrooms or anything in the Park. After you get on the road through the cinders go about 2 miles and you should be in a good area to camp without too much dust. We have been there on all the big weekends it still dosent get full.

Crowdog · Post by **Crowdog** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 4:22 pm

There is a lot to do & see nearby:

Sunset Crater National Monument
Wupatki National Monument
Barringer Meteorite Crater

Check out my page for more info:
http://www.duneguide.com/sand_dune_guid ... _hills.htm

RacingRay · Post by **RacingRay** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 6:44 pm

There you go Crowdog! Your site shows it but one of my favorite walks is the Walnut Canyon as well. It is the only known place in the world that all 7 climate zones are represented from it's Sonoran Desert floor to above the Timberline all in one place and within view at one time. It is only 9 miles east of Flagstaff.

RichB · Post by **RichB** » Thu Apr 27, 2006 7:00 pm

Crowdog wrote:Check out my page for more info:
http://www.duneguide.com/sand_dune_guid ... _hills.htm

Oh you know I've been all over it like a rat on a cheeto.....great info (as usual), just wanted some more personal inputs from the guys.

Thanks!

Rich

jm102397 · Post by **jm102397** » Sun Apr 30, 2006 5:51 am

Rich-
If you get a chance, you may want to go here:

http://home.earthlink.net/~richditch4/chocfalls2.htm

Known to many as "Chocolate Falls" because of its muddy color, this massive waterfall is higher than Niagara Falls, with a vertical relief of 185 feet. The best time to see the falls is after snow melting in early spring and after a summer thunderstorm. The falls are located 48 miles northwest of Winslow. From Winslow, take I-40 west to Exit 245. Take Route 99 north to Leupp, then Route 15 west to the sign reading, "Grand Falls Bible Church". Turn right on this road, which is very rough. The road will end at the Little Colorado River. A short, Â¼ mile trail will lead to the overlook. Picnic tables and grills are available. This area is on the Navajo Reservation, so stay on the main roads and respect private property. No admission charge. Handicap access is extremely limited. Use of a high clearance or four wheel drive vehicle is recommended.

We went to the Cinders for years until we started spending as much time as possible in ID every summer. Never even heard about this place until our last visit to Flag when some friends from Glamis Dunes.com joined us. Found this pic and info when we came homw but haven't been back since to check it out.
As everyone else said, bring old tires if you are going to ride. One other suggestion is to NOT go thru the Sunset Crater entrance, but use the entrance on the south side of the Cinders (it is marked with a sign that I believe reads "Cinder Hills OHV area"). If you make a right there and go down that road just a bit, there will be some clearings you can camp in that are a bit further away from the dusty areas.