Jack Handle
Difficulty: Difficult.
Description: A long drive to a short trail. Add this trail to another when you haven’t had enough wheeling for a day. A short, narrow canyon with little room to maneuver. Rock obstacles are challenging with sharp edges to cut tires if you get careless. One obstacle appears to be an opening cut through solid rock and is barely wide enough to squeeze through. Large vehicles will have problems on this trail. Brush and tree branches are very tight.
note: State Trust Land permit is required (read this post).
Video: Watch video footage of the trail.
Time & Distance: Only 2.2 miles. Allow about 2 hours.
Trail Conditions: Bureau of Land Management, Gila District, Tucson Field Office. Call (520) 258-7200.
Remember: trail conditions, fire restrictions, weather, and land ownership change constantly so everyone must take responsibility for themselves, both for their safety and complying with all laws. Please understand that means YOU.
Directions to the Trail: From the intersection of Hwy 60 and Hwy 79 at Florence Junction, drive south on Hwy 79 about 5 miles. Turn left at a flagpole between mile markers 144 and 145 at Cottonwood Canyon Road. Follow Cottonwood Canyon Road east for about 8 miles, until you reach a major T intersection with Mineral Mountain Road. Head south on Box Canyon Road for 5.2 miles, make a sharp left turn uphill out of the wash. The entrance to Jack Handle trail is 1.2 miles from this spot, by the second windmill.
View Jack Handle in a larger map and get even more DETAILS!
Get yourself and your rig ready for the trip: Make sure both you and your vehicle are prepared for your next adventure.
Before you venture out on your offroading trip you need to make sure you are prepared for emergencies. Even if nothing happens to you or your vehicle, you might come across someone who needs help. Short of having your full-on bug-out-bag with you, you should at least have some basic emergency items. It might seem obvious to some, but you should get yourself a tool box with appropriate tools and leather gloves, good first aid kit, fire extinguisher, set of jumper cables, emergency blankets (stored in heavy plastic bag – both are useful), flashlight, tow strap and some extra water. I would also suggest a recovery strap, a military folding shovel, heavy duty garbage bags, and a hand crank self powered weather radio. These items are not expensive, but they just might save your day.
Another thing you should definitely do before you leave is to save the number to Arizona 4×4 Off Road Recovery in case you find yourself in need of recovery in the middle of nowhere. Their number is (602) 697-8306.
If you’re ready for a next adventure and want to plan it right, check out some of these trail guides – Arizona has so many awesome destinations to explore!
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