Southeast Congress - Level 2
Southeast Congress is a backcountry route in Yavapai County, Arizona, southeast of the small community of Congress. It runs through open Sonoran Desert country between Congress and the Wickenburg area, on dirt roads that see light use.
The route suits a stock high clearance vehicle and works as a short desert outing. Expect long views over desert scrub and the nearby ranges.
Trail Summary
- LocationYavapai County, Arizona
- Distance10.0 miles
- DifficultyLevel 2
- Elevation2,390 ft to 2,938 ft with a 548 ft change
- Travel Time2 hours
Difficulty
Typically suitable for high clearance 2WD
This is an Easy, level 2 route. A stock high clearance 2WD vehicle is enough, though the surface will likely test tire traction and ground clearance. Expect dirt or rocky road with dips, ruts or rocks under about 9 inches. Roads like this are usually unmaintained after rain, so conditions can change. Shallow water crossings and small ledges under 12 inches are possible. The road is typically one to two vehicles wide. The driver's log did not call out any obstacle needing special attention.
Terrain
The route crosses Sonoran desertscrub country with dirt roads and washes. Surfaces are typically packed dirt with rocky sections, and desert washes can be loose or sandy. The route climbs and drops gently through the foothill terrain on the edge of the Date Creek and Weaver Mountains country, with saguaro, palo verde and mesquite along the way.
Highlights
The town of Congress grew up around the Congress Mine, which was the largest gold producer in Arizona in the 1890s and operated into the 1930s. The mine and the old railroad stop at Congress Junction are an easy side trip for anyone interested in local mining history. The Weaver Mountains nearby are granite boulder country, known as habitat for Sonoran desert tortoise and Gila monster, so watch the ground around rocks in warm weather.
Trail GPS File
Map
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