Location: Drive in from the West side-Beeline Highway (AZ-88) to Tonto Forest Road 143, or Drive in from the East side-From Route AZ-188 near Roosevelt Lake. We drove in from the West side and out from the East side.
Accessibility/Parking (Volkswagon Golf or Jeep Cherokee): Driving in from the West side (Road 143)-Jeep Cherokee, this is a pretty rough one. At least 20 miles of a rocky dirt road that climbs quite a bit in elevation. Driving in from the East Side-VW Golf, about 10 miles of dirt road and not as rough. Goes opposite direction from Phoenix but makes for a more pleasant ride.
Challenge Level (1: A female in her late 20's in decent shape thought it was easy as pie to 5: Gonna need a forklift to help me finish this): 5 if you summit Brown's Peak. The chute to the top is very steep and you have to hang on to loose rocks to get to the top.
Best Time: Winter was a cool experience, but the melting snow made it difficult to get to the top. Summer could potentially be warm.
Overall Rating (1: Wouldn’t recommend 2: Bleh 3: Fun but wouldn’t do it again 4: Loved it 5: A favorite, must plan return trip immediately): 5, I would like to make it to the top next time with better weather.