How might one describe the sentiment of this review?
Alright, here's the situation. I'm not reviewing the Apache Trail scenic road poorly because of it's views, because I am certain they are spectacular throughout the entire drive. I am reviewing it poorly because the idea that the Apache Trail is classified as a actual highway is ludicrous and I would argue dangerous -at least for certain folks. Recently, I decided to take a scenic drive back from the Grand Canyon with my mom and we decided to come down through eastern Arizona. Now on any map or GPS, state route 88 shows up as a NORMAL road on a map, which you can take after seeing Lake Roosevelt in order to shave time off of the drive and not have to continue down state route 188. After seeing this road come up, we decided to head over by the dam in order to stop for some pictures before making our way along route 88 heading south. So we began the way up to the actual road, twisting along a paved (with no railing) 1 and 1/2 (and I'm being generous) lane road. After about 3 minutes on the road I see a large sign saying "end pavement for next 22 miles". At this point my mom is freaking out because I dragged us up this steep and non-railed section of road that ends with what looks like an unpaved road made for ATV's or dirt bikes. (I cannot believe anyone who isn't an off-road enthusiast or at least sponsored by Red Bull or Monster would actually drive this road, it looks like something you would see in Bolivia). Anyway, I had to calm my mom down, turn the rental car back around, head back out to the main road, and subsuquently drive way out of our way to get us back to Phoenix. The road did become scenic again, taking us through the enjoyable "Devils Canyon" before getting us home so in the end it all worked out. But I have to say, I have lived in Arizona my whole life and have never heard about this "road" that in my view, should not be for cars or at the very least should be completed and widened more, paved, and with rails. While we were there I saw an small RV and a Chevy Suburban also pull up, see the dirt road, and turn back around. In the end, I came home and researched more about the Apache Trail (and even found articles documenting people who recently veered off of the "road" and died) and have come to the conclusion that this road, at least in my opinion, should be CLEARLY marked not as a highway but as an unpaved expert trail and there should be warnings regarding this road along state route 188 for novices who might think it's an actual road they can take to get back to Phoenix. I'm sure the views are amazing from the inside (save for the driver who is not going to be able to enjoy the views while navigating), but to display the Apache Trail as a real highway for people to use is irresponsible and potentially dangerous. I have travelled throughout Latin America on busses with bad breaks and have rarely seen roads that dangerous with no protection or railing with no space to navigate or turn around. Heaven forbid if you were to encounter inclement weather while on the Apache Trail you would be in a world of trouble....Choose from:
* negative.
* positive. I think the answer is
negative