Scenic Drives - Safe? (Phoenix, Scottsdale: hotels, store, to eat)

[observer53]

I guess I'm a little concerned that the roads you name are not all that scenic. Sun Valley Parkway? No, it's just flat desert, with the White Tanks in the distance. I would'nt take the time to drive it for "scenery" you can see from other roads.

Carefree Highway out toward Wickenburg? Never taken it further than Lake Pleasant. Might be pretty, don't know. I wouldn't call that an "isolated" road, not as heavily traveled as 60/93 to Wickenburg, but still, it is a state highway. If your car is in good condition, and you have water and a cell phone, you are likely OK.

N Lake Pleasant Road, (I had to look it up) on Google Maps, is the name of a stretch of New River Road. Again, looking at the terrain map, I don't see the point of going there (and I'm into scenery). There is not going to be a lot of traffic, depending on when you go, so you do have to be prepared, as you would for a car trip of any kind. Same precautions as above.

[Gandalara]

To the OP:

My sister and I just drove all over central and northern AZ, most of it on tiny 2 lane roads. We camped in state parks and we boon-docked. Our biggest weapon was a very large flashlight. Not a bit of trouble.

I felt more uncomfortable walking by the bars located on Whiskey Row in Prescott during the day

People in Arizona do love their concealed carry permits and their guns. My sister has one -- she conveniently forgot it and I conveniently forgot to remind her

[Stumblina]

Gandalara, thanks for easing my mind a bit.

I'm not really taking these roads so much for the scenery - more as just not wanting to drive on boring (not to mention crazy driver dangerous)expressways. Mainly, I'm going from Tartesso (off Sun Valley Pkwy) up to Anthem Outlet Mall and I thought taking Sun Valley Pkwy up to Estrella Pkwy north up to North Lake Pleasant up to 17 would just be a "nicer" drive than the expressways. Since I'm staying in Scottsdale, I thought coming back I'd take Carefree (eastbound) to Scottsdale Road.

If I had a gun, I probably would bring it, but I don't. I've often thought of getting one (legally), just haven't had the time to go and learn how to use one first! Nothing worse (or dumber) than a woman with a gun who doesn't know how to use it!

Thanks for the replies - if anyone else has any thoughts, I'd love to hear them.

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by Stumblina

Gandalara, thanks for easing my mind a bit.

I'm not really taking these roads so much for the scenery - more as just not wanting to drive on boring (not to mention crazy driver dangerous)expressways. Mainly, I'm going from Tartesso (off Sun Valley Pkwy) up to Anthem Outlet Mall and I thought taking Sun Valley Pkwy up to Estrella Pkwy north up to North Lake Pleasant up to 17 would just be a "nicer" drive than the expressways. Since I'm staying in Scottsdale, I thought coming back I'd take Carefree (eastbound) to Scottsdale Road.

If I had a gun, I probably would bring it, but I don't. I've often thought of getting one (legally), just haven't had the time to go and learn how to use one first! Nothing worse (or dumber) than a woman with a gun who doesn't know how to use it!

Thanks for the replies - if anyone else has any thoughts, I'd love to hear them.

I think what most are saying is don't go into the 'desert' on your own...take a friend or stay where the masses are....snakes, cats, ....when hiking!

[observer53]

Then you were really more asking about the Carefree Highway EASTBOUND, not westbound. That seems like an awfully involved way just to get to an outlet mall (although the distance to the mall is essentially the same as if you used the freeways) and out to Scottsdale, (and the freeways aren't that bad unless you have NEVER driven on a freeway), but if that's what you want to do, have fun.

Where are you staying in Scottsdale? The drive down from Carefree (there again, unless you are mortally fearful of freeways) may be a lot easier if you go a different way, depending on where you are staying.

[KarmaPhx]

North Lake Pleasant Road? Are you taking about the road that comes off of Table Mesa from the I-17?

If you follow the road, it takes you to the north end of Lake Plesant, mostly poeple just shooting/camping/off-roading out there, not much to see really.

You can drive along the West Carfree highway but it just takes you over to the 93 I believe, which can take you up to the 89 to prescott, but that's a LONG drive.

Observer made some good points, it's all just FLAT desert, nothing you can't see anywhere else in town.

Always bring water, and emergency supplies, you never know what can happen.

[Stumblina]

Observer: I'm staying at the Hotel Valley Ho. Yes, I know it's the "long" way (even though distance-wise not much difference). I was just looking for a casual, relaxing way to get from one point to another. I drive freeways every single day going to and from work (over an hour each way) and I just thought maybe taking a less hectic (albeit less traveled) route might be a nice deviation from the "rat race" of the freeways.

KarmaPhx: Thanks for your input - always good to hear different points of view. I never even thought about the "snakes and cats"!!!!

I guess I'll just stick to the freeways (for the most part) since I am traveling by myself. I'll be a little more adventurous when I've got some friends (and now, I guess, even a gun) with me!

[Grannysroost]

Originally Posted by Stumblina

Observer: I'm staying at the Hotel Valley Ho. Yes, I know it's the "long" way (even though distance-wise not much difference). I was just looking for a casual, relaxing way to get from one point to another. I drive freeways every single day going to and from work (over an hour each way) and I just thought maybe taking a less hectic (albeit less traveled) route might be a nice deviation from the "rat race" of the freeways.

KarmaPhx: Thanks for your input - always good to hear different points of view. I never even thought about the "snakes and cats"!!!!

I guess I'll just stick to the freeways (for the most part) since I am traveling by myself. I'll be a little more adventurous when I've got some friends (and now, I guess, even a gun) with me!

If you are just driving, have gas, water, emergency kit...spare and go for it...no problemo

[observer53]

Stumblina, you'll be just fine. As I said in the first place, if the car's in good shape, and you have a cell phone with you, and some water just in case, no problem. You really are not going to be in that remote an area. If you'd rather not be on the freeways, just for a change, go for it.

[KarmaPhx]

If you're at the Hotel Valley Ho, I honestly don't think the drive up to North Lake Pleasnt road would be worth it. You can follow it around to New River if you want but even then there isn't much in New River besides a place to eat really.

If you're looking for a scenic drive, why not head over and do the apache trail? Most cars can do it no problem I took a 07 Chevy Colbalt through it last summer.