Beyond The Pavement-Tule Homestead

Getting out Beyond The Pavement is one of things we like to do, and whenever the opportunity arises that we can, we go. Of course, you can get beyond the pavement solo, but unless you’re really comfortable exploring alone, have the experience to do so safely, AND are able to self-rescue then you might want to travel with others, which is ALWAYS a good idea. Traveling with a group is one reason we are involved in a local outdoors/off-road club – it gives us the ability to explore with the safety of others.

On Tuesday, February 21, 2023 the weather was near perfect and the local North Ranch Outdoors Club had a ride scheduled to visit Tule Homestead, aka Fort Tule, so we took advantage of this trip and went. This is a popular off-road destination, north of Lake Pleasant, which is located north north west of Phoenix along Hwy 74 known as the West Carefree Highway. Approximately 12 miles west of I-17, you will intersect with North Castle Hot Springs Road. This road serves as a gateway to access lots of trails…hundreds of miles of them.

Our track as seen on Gaia GPS.

About six miles up N Castle Hot Springs Rd., you’ll run out of pavement and the road from this point is gravel. Its best described as a washboard. During periods of inclement weather that brings rain or snow, this road can be very difficult to drive on. It is a well-traveled road as there is a high-end resort 13 miles up from Hwy 74, aptly called Castle Hot Springs Resort. If you are looking to be pampered and have the means to do so, consider booking a reservation for a stay…it’s only $1900-$2000.00/night. Just don’t plan on driving a low clearance sports car or sedan there.

Having a good map or navigation app will be useful in finding the route to the homestead as well as the Old China Dam, a dam built long ago by Chinese laborers. The face of the dam is visible; the backside is covered with decades of sand and gravel that has filled in the stream bed behind it. This has caused the main route of the creek to divert to the east, circumventing the dam completely.

The trek to the homestead is along a two track trail that meanders its way up and down over hills and along washes, including Tule Creek. If the water is high, it’s not recommended to attempt traveling to the homestead as it, too, is along the creek, and several crossing are required to get there.

Along the way you’ll likely see plenty of wild Burros who call this area home. Depending on the season, this area is popular not only for off-roading but boondocking as well. Many set-up camp, then use it as a base of operations to make daily runs to different destinations in the area, such as Crown King.

Here is a video with some highlights of the trip we took to the dam, homestead, and the lake on our way back to the staging area.