Hoodoo Wash

Trail Overview

This Sonoran Desert trail is an excellent way to enjoy the remote areas within the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. Along the way you'll encounter long stretches of gravel-filled washes, mild rock crawling and plenty of opportunities to scratch your paint on sharp desert plant life. There are some technical sections that are best completed with the help of a spotter and there are definitely spots where you'll want to get out and choose a line before proceeding to traverse an obstacle. This trail is definitely better suited to smaller off-road vehicles, but a full-size truck or SUV should be able to complete the trail with a bit of finesse, some three point turns and some scratched paint. Small high-clearance off-road trailers regularly traverse the trail without issue. Washes do fill with water and flash floods are possible in this area so you'll definitely want to check the forecast before exploring this trail. You'll see little to no litter on this trail, so please do your part to keep this area clean and open to fellow off-road enthusiasts.

Photos of Hoodoo Wash

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Difficulty

A large portion of the trail is in sandy washes. There are also rocky sections that may require the use of a spotter. There are 2-3 spots where you will need to traverse a washout where you'll be off-camber.

History

A protected home to wildlife like rattlesnakes, bighorn sheep, and endangered Sonoran pronghorn since 1939 the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge offers plenty of opportunities to explore a diverse and historic landscape. From 1897 to 1910 this area was home to its namesake gold mine - the King of Arizona (K-of-A) mine. In 1936 Boy Scout troops across Arizona mounted a campaign to protect bighorn sheep - by 1939 their efforts lead to the creation of the 666,000 plus acre preserve in southwest Arizona. There are plenty of mines in the area, but this particular section of the refuge is more closely tied to cattle and the legacy of one of Arizona's most prominent ranchers - Bob Crowder. As you progress along the trial you'll encounter cabins, watering tanks, and small windmills. They are connected by the same sandy, gravel-filled washes that were used by early miners and ranchers to traverse the rugged landscape. Between the washes you'll climb and descend the trails they build to connect the desert's natural "highway system."

Technical Rating