My husband and I took the Apache Trail in early October when the temperatures finally dipped down into the 80's. We stopped at various points like Tortilla Flats.
Tortilla Flats is rife with western humor and historic memorabilia. A little one room house holds a tiny museum. If you want something to eat, you can sit in a saddle at the bar or at a table in the restaurant. Their are all kinds of things to look at, inside and out.
The road eventually turns to dirt. It is a well maintained road but shouldn't be driven in bad weather. We saw Big Horn Sheep on the cliffs by the road.
Roosevelt Dam and bridge is a nice stop. The bridge rises an incredible 300 feet above the water.
Tonto National Monument is a great place to visit. Although somewhat isolated, it is worth the trip. Their are a scattering of dwellings hidden in the hillsides of this little canyon. An uphill 1/2 mile hike takes you right up to the Lower Cliff Dwelling.
You can duck through doorways and walk through rooms and little "hallways". The dwelling overlooks Roosevelt Lake. It is a nice place to sit and take in the view and the soft breezes that flow through the canyon. A ranger is always at the dwelling if you have questions too.
If you want a longer stay and a more strenuous hike, you can take a guided tour to the Upper Cliff Dwellings which takes about 4 hours round trip. Reservations are required and this tour is only open from November to April.
So for a real western experience, follow the Apache Trail just to the southeast of Phoenix and enjoy.
Follow Rt. 88 to Tortilla Flat and Roosevelt Dam. Head south on 88 to Tonto National Monument and take 60 back to Phoenix. Make it a day trip so that you can enjoy stopping as often as you like.
