According to the Charles Wells book, ‘this trail starts easy and gradually worsens. The last mile before Dripping Springs is challenging and requires some backroad driving experience.’ Trail #60 in his book for more details.
Back road to (north side) Mt. Lemmon is graded dirt road. The south side is paved winding road. Very scenic drive.
This trail combines the astounding Sedona beauty with moderate to challenging difficulty. The Red Rock country is the backdrop for this expedition that includes sights named Submarine Rock, Chicken Point, the Roundabout, and Devils Kitchen, with the challenge of slick-rock obstacles.
While relatively short in terms of distance, this trail calls for slow driving due to its tightness and rocky terrain. Many places are challenging because the driver needs to be well aware of their vehicle spatially and how to manage it over slick-rock, so drivers should have some experience.
The stock Range Rover, Discovery (including LR3), and Defender are well equipped to deliver a fantastic day.
Forrest Service graded roads to access camping areas.
The Rover’s Playground. Trails abound here, and there’s something for every level of driver. 4+ trails offer complex and technical challenges while some of the less challenging drives offer spectactular scenery.
Worth the trip, every time.Four Peak, south of Hwy87 from FR143
The Four Peaks area and the El Oso Mine trail is a great place to explore within a short drive from Phoenix. I wanted to lead a trail for the 4x4wire Arizona Isuzu and Mitsubishi group, and felt that this trail would make the perfect introduction. We met at the start of the El Oso (four peaks) road, with everyone showing up at about 9:30. We made introductions and started to air down in preparation for the 18 mile drive on the graded road (designated FR143). This area is popular for all OHV users, so quads and trail bikes are to be expected, especially close to the highway.
Climb in elevation in the Mazatzal Mountains on FR143. This road eventually ends at Punkin Center NW of Theodore Roosevelt Lake. The trail rises to over 5,000′ and reaches a saddle at Pine Mountain. This is where FR422 (Edwards Trail) heads north leaving FR143. This road is still tame and has a few steep climbs, but traction is good. At FR463 (N33 44.741 W111 22.175 NAD83) we left the main the El Oso mine trail (FR422) and start on the Joline Mine trail. This is where all of the challenges are encountered.
Within a few hundred yards of FR463, the trail yields some challenges, including some nice slabs that will test the suspension travel of the vehicle. This portion of the trail runs along a ridge overlooking Big Pine Flat, with some nice views. This area was damaged by fire many years ago, and is now just recovering. The brush here is very tight, and is the worst you will find throughout the loop.
The route starts out in the low desert and continues into the upper elevations of the Superstition Mountains where it tops out at about 5200 feet above sea level. The higher elevations are on the northern slopes and offer the piney vegetation typical throughout the southwest. The climb to the elevations occurs along a series of switch backs that allows an impressive view of surrounding countryside. Stock vehicles with high ground clearance and good articulation can make it although some driving skill is necessary.
