Apache Trail (Images of America)

Pres. Theodore Roosevelt once referred to the Apache Trail as"one of the most spectacular best-worth-seeing sights of theworld." The once narrow, ancient foot trail built as a supply roadfor the construction of Roosevelt Dam has now evolved into a statehighway with majestic scenic vistas and historical grandeur. Evenin the 1920s, the Southern Pacific Railroad touted this road as a"must-see side trip."Each year, thousands of people venture along the trail to take astep back in time and relish the breathtaking experience of thisfabulous journey. The Fish Creek Hill section remains much as itwas back in the early 1900s, a narrow one-vehicle passage on anextremely steep incline that drops 900 feet within a mile along theedge of a steep cliff. Although several miles of the road are nowpaved, dirt portions remain that allow tourists a sense of perilousadventure.