Payette Draw (Payson) - 3.5

Pumbaa · Last edited by Pumbaa on Mon Dec 10, 2007 6:29 pm; edited 1 time in total

Synopsis:
Payette Draw is a beautiful rocky river bed in the forest mountains just north of Payson. The beauty in this trail is in the surrounding forest with its lush greenery. The trail itself is 95% bed rock and can be breathtaking at times.

Difficulty:
According to the rating system on this forum I would consider it a 3.5. This trail is only in a rocky river bed, with rock cracks, holes, steep declines and inclines and sharp rock walls. Stacking of rocks might be required on some obstacle but please unstack after the obstacle has been passed!

This is a trail where spotting is crucial, rock rails are required, high clearance, good tires and skids are recommended. Scratches and dings on the undercarriage are to be expected. Locker and A-Trac is recommended but not required.

Length:
From The Maverik Gas Station on the north side of Payson it only takes about 25 minutes to get to the start of the trail. The trail itself (the river bed) can take up to several hours depending on number of vehicles and if there are any problems along the way. I would calculate about 3 hours for 5 vehicles. I would recommend a group of 5 vehicles, no more than 8.

The trail has a bypass road that can be accessed from several points from the river bed. This road will also be the exit way which only takes about 20 minutes or so to get back to the beginning. Along this road you will find camping grounds for this trail.

Location:
Some of the biggest 4x4 clubs, teams and companies in AZ and the local Payson area have/are working very hard to keep this trail as 'undisturbed' as possible. Therefore the location of this trail has been asked not to be publicly posted on any web site, forum, search engine and even trail books.

It has been asked that if anyone goes out on this trail, please go with a member of one of these clubs and as always TREAD LIGHTLY!

Pumbaa · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:12 am Post subject: Re: Payette Draw (Payson)

Pumbaa · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:15 am Post subject: Re: Payette Draw (Payson)

Pumbaa · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:16 am Post subject: Re: Payette Draw (Payson)

Pumbaa · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:17 am Post subject: Re: Payette Draw (Payson)

Pumbaa · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:20 am Post subject: Re: Payette Draw (Payson)

Trouble Shots!

On the way out...

Itanius · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 4:54 am Post subject: Re: Payette Draw (Payson)

Thanks, I love seeing/reading about places I can't go to!

Homedad · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 8:52 am Post subject: Re: Payette Draw (Payson)

Man I loved that run....the lemon looks good out there...

tibaal89 · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:38 pm Post subject: Re: Payette Draw (Payson)

Wow, that looks like a lot of fun... I'm gonna have to head up there some time. Good stuff! Very Happy

Thanks for following my format, looks good.

Pumbaa · Posted: Tue Dec 04, 2007 1:41 pm Post subject: Re: Payette Draw (Payson)

Itanius wrote:

Thanks, I love seeing/reading about places I can't go to!

I was the only one with stock tires and no skids out on the trail... I did not run into any big problems but I had some of the best spotters i have ever wheeled with helping me out. (Guys from Copper State, Kurt and the spotter from the Trail Team)
I had a 3" spacer lift and rock rails. The rock rails came in handy that day; they kept me out of the walls and made it easy to slide over big boulders.

Homedad wrote:

Man I loved that run....the lemon looks good out there...

I love this trail, we need to go out there again!

tibaal89 wrote:

Wow, that looks like a lot of fun... I'm gonna have to head up there some time. Good stuff! Very Happy

Thanks for following my format, looks good.

Yea but dont go alone! I know that two needed the winch to get past one of the obstacles. Its all about the spotter!

Your welcome...!

Pumbaa · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:31 pm Post subject: Re: Payette Draw (Payson)

It's not like I have enough pictures for this trail already but I was snooping around on Toyota.com in the Trail Team Section and found these...
The group...

Pumbaa leading... NOT!

Kurt taking the lemon swiming... 'a-trac is working!...never mind its gone again...'

Kurt just can't stay in line... 'whats the holdup... i need my coffee!'

Lance is leading the way while the trail team is watching...

LOVE YA KURT!!! Very Happy

Mr_R2FJ · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:43 pm Post subject: Re: Payette Draw (Payson) - 3.5

Wow, looks awesome and very beautiful. I'd be tempted to jump in with a group on this one after I get some more experience (and maybe a lift looking at some of those obstacles).

Pumbaa · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:46 pm Post subject: Re: Payette Draw (Payson) - 3.5

Mr_R2FJ wrote:

Wow, looks awesome and very beautiful. I'd be tempted to jump in with a group on this one after I get some more experience (and maybe a lift looking at some of those obstacles).

Lift is a must, Kurt can tell ya, I 'pealed' some plastic off my fuel tank cover and most damage/scratches under Pumbaa are from this trail but its a great trail!

tibaal89 · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:50 pm Post subject: Re: Payette Draw (Payson) - 3.5

Pumbaa wrote:

Lift is a must, Kurt can tell ya, I 'pealed' some plastic off my fuel tank cover and most damage/scratches under Pumbaa are from this trail but its a great trail!

Rubbish!

You guys are really making me wanna go out to this one, maybe I'll add it to the Xmas itinerary...

Mr_R2FJ · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 5:50 pm Post subject: Re: Payette Draw (Payson) - 3.5

Without disclosing exact location can you give us an idea on length and time it takes to run it? Also what maximum size group would you recommend for it?