For all of the exploring I've done all over AZ I haven't done much on the Apache Reservation besides a couple trips cutting through it.
The Apache Rez has some of the most amazing fishing spots in AZ and so I was excited when my fishing buddy expert Westy asked if I wanted to go up and camp/fish for the weekend! I could only make it for a night, but I wasn't going to miss out. Plus, it was about time I took out the new truck to stretch it's legs... and find out where the breaks are.
Up through Miami, Globe and to the Salt River Canyon we went.
![photo IMG_2195.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2195.jpg)
Fort Apache. This is the US base to protect the settlers and travelers of the area back in the 1800's. Now it's in the heart of Apache land.
![photo IMG_2198.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2198.jpg)
At this point we were about a mile high, but it was all great far reaching plains.
![photo IMG_2204.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2204.jpg)
Wild wild horses...
![photo IMG_2206.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2206.jpg)
A great looking ranch. I'm not sure what the story with it was since as far as I know there is no "private" land or land ownership on the reservation.
![photo IMG_2207.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2207.jpg)
Heading towards the secret spot.
![photo IMG_2211.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2211.jpg)
There were some serious bugs on this trip. This guy was just hitching a ride.
![photo IMG_2216.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2216.jpg)
The crew for this trip.
![photo IMG_2219.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2219.jpg)
Feeling a bit like we were in Africa for a moment.
![photo IMG_2220.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2220.jpg)
Yes, this is the "road." Talk about a seldom used track!
![photo IMG_2223.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2223.jpg)
We saw signs of mountain lions in the area evidenced by some bones pretty high up in a tree. Not too many animals can carry a cow into a tree.
![photo IMG_2226.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2226.jpg)
Almost there!
![photo IMG_2227.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2227.jpg)
There were a few spots where a lift and some good tires was important, but nothing too crazy.
![photo IMG_2233.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2233.jpg)
Jon navigating the toughest obstacle on this trail descending to the river.
![photo IMG_2235.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2235.jpg)
Just a little dusty.
![photo ee26c5fc-e05e-4209-b746-7dfaf18ad533.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/ee26c5fc-e05e-4209-b746-7dfaf18ad533.jpg)
A nice shot from Westy of the new family truckster.
![photo IMG_2033.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2033.jpg)
We made it!
![photo IMG_2243.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2243.jpg)
Even though we were at somewhere around 6,000 feet it was still nice and warm out. Warm enough to enjoy the COLD snow runoff in the creek.
![photo IMG_2245.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2245.jpg)
Pretty good size crawdads.
![photo IMG_2247.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2247.jpg)
The next day after I'd left he did catch a nice sized small mouth bass.
![photo IMG_2254.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2254.jpg)
This was one of many great future spots.
![photo IMG_2260.jpg](http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/5-24-13%20Apache%20Rez%20Exploring/IMG_2260.jpg)
And that was that. Another great, albeit short for me, adventure in AZ. It's good to be back in AZ and it's good to have a truck again!