Backway to Sheeps Bridge

Total Miles
11.7

Elevation

695.76 ft

Duration

1.25 Hours

Technical Rating

5

Moderate

Best Time

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

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Backway to Sheeps Bridge
11

Trail Overview

This trail provides a shorter alternative to Bloody Basin Road for viewing Sheeps Bridge and the Hot Springs. This trail is simple enough, but there are a few water crossings. The second crossing across the Verde River is the most challenging part of this trail. The key to this crossing is staying downriver and hugging the rapids or it gets deep fast. After crossing the river, the rest of the trail is relatively tame. One section has deep ruts and silty sand, but it's easily managed in an aggressive stock 4x4. Due to the river crossing, you should not attempt this right after a hard rain or with rain in the forecast.

Photos of Backway to Sheeps Bridge

Backway to Sheeps Bridge
Backway to Sheeps Bridge

Difficulty

Besides the river crossing, this trail is easy.

Technical Rating

5

Status Reports

Moises Hernandez
Jul 06, 2024
2021 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Open
Dusty
Rough/Deteriorated
My Jeep has 16” of ground clearance with full time 4wdH and handed the trail without a problem. 4 other jeeps I went with completed the trail in 2wd. Definitely need high clearance and I’d say about 70% of the trail is rough so good idea to air down.
Jared Gabbay
Jan 06, 2024
Open
Trail is a bit washed out and more rocky than usual. Crossing the Verde by the bridge is much deeper than usual, the ledge has washed away. Be careful!
Dan Johnson
Dec 29, 2023
4x4
Open
Normal
Dusty
Trail was fairly easy for the most part. Big wide open Mountain View’s, sheep’s bridge was really cool with great spots to swim or hang out. The crossing south of sheep’s bridge was a bit deep but we made it in a Rubicon on 33s and 2inch lift.
Nate Winslow
Dec 28, 2023
4x4
Open
Normal
Kawasaki KRX. Trail was in great shape. The first water crossing was dry. The second water crossing only had about 12-18 inches of water. Passed a group of Jeeps heading back from Sheep's Bridge, so a standard 4WD can make it all the way. Did not attempt the water crossing located just south of Sheep's Bridge, but probably could have made it just fine. There was evidence that other vehicles had made the crossing that day.

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