The Castle Hot Springs Resort was established in 1896 and is a historical icon, nestled in a rugged and remote desert location. Boasting a colorful history, yet untouched for nearly 40 years, this natural gem in the Bradshaw Mountains continued to produce restorative thermal waters.

Let’s Get Dirty! – There are no plans to stop at the resort. For 36 Miles, the trail traverses through the Bradshaw Mountains with breathtaking picturesque views. The tour will take less than 3 hours, and will conclude at Dillon’s BBQ at the Western Trails Ranch in Morristown. You will order off the menu and pay your own check at the restaurant. Check out the menu, below --

Western Trails Ranch Menu - Front

Western Trails Ranch Menu - Back

TRAIL CONDITIONS

The trail has a PCA Trail Category 1 rating: Gravel wide enough for two-way traffic, year-round maintained road with no off-camber turns, climbing over boulders, and no road erosion.  This trail can be driven in two-wheel drive.

OFF-ROAD TOUR REQUIREMENTS

• ALL DRIVERS MUST REGISTER AND REGISTER THEIR PASSENGER(S) AS GUEST REGISTRANTS
• ALL DRIVERS AND PASSENGERS MUST ATTEND THE DRIVERS’ SAFETY BRIEFING
• ANY 4-WHEEL DRIVE OFF-ROAD SPECIAL UTILITY VEHICLE IS ALLOWED (No Utility Terrain Vehicles, a.k.a Side-by-Side)
• ALL DRIVERS MUST BE AN ADULT (OVER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS) POSSESS A VALID DRIVER’S LICENSE AND BE AN ACTIVE PCA MEMBER OF ANY REGION.  MINORS OR DRIVERS POSSESSING AN INSTRUCTIONAL DRIVER’S (LEARNER’S) PERMIT ARE NOT ALLOWED TO DRIVE
• ALL ADULTS MUST SIGN THE WAIVER AND RELEASE OF LIABILITY FORM
• MINOR PASSENGERS (Under the age of 18 Years) ARE ALLOWED
• PARENT(S) of MINOR(S) MUST COMPLETE/SIGN A PCA MINOR WAIVER FORM FOR EACH MINOR CHILD (Minor Waiver Forms will be available at the Staging Point)

Staging time and location

Meet at 8:00 AM

In the parking lot behind The First Watch Restaurant (Look for the Blue Jeep)
34948 N. North Valley Parkway
Phoenix, AZ 85086
(Carefree Highway & Interstate 17)
Look for the Blue Jeep

TWO-WAY RADIO COMMUNICATIONS

Pursuant to the PCA Region Procedures Manual (RPM) the tour coordinators will be using two-way radio communication for trail safety and to relay other pertinent information. Tour participants are welcome to have radio communication to monitor and/or directly communicate with the coordinators or other tour participants. It is not mandatory for participants to have two-way radio communication on the tour.

Radio Channel: FRS/GMRS Channel 18 (462.625 MHz)

Radio Privacy Tone/Nuisance-Interference Eliminator Code: CTCSS 31 (192.8Hz)

Participants who do not have a two-way radio may monitor the tour trail communications by tuning their vehicle radio to 96.5 MHz FM

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• Dress and prepare accordingly for the warm dry desert environment. The highest elevation point on the Trail is approximately 3334 Feet ASL (Above Mean Sea Level).
• Do not forget to bring any provisions that might be necessary in case of a prolonged/unplanned period spent on the trial.
• No participant will be left behind should an incident occur, and is assured of receiving any necessary services for their safety.

VEHICLE SELF-INSPECTION CHECKLIST

Every driver should review the self-inspection checklist and perform their own vehicle safety inspection. The following form is for the driver’s information and is not required to be submitted for a rated Category 1 Off-Road Driving Tour. Click here for SELF-INSPECTION SAFETY CHECKLIST FORM

Registration closes Sunday, August 16, 2026

If you have any questions, please contact the Event Organizers, Kenny Mitchell at kenmitchell-director@az.pca.org or Steve Sapareto at ssapareto@gmail.com