El Oso Mine Road

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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.

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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.

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Easiest way to get there is thru Mayer, AZ. off Hyw 69 to Prescott.

Where is a Circle-K in Mayer. From the Circle-K take Central to a left on Miami. From Miami take a right on Main St. Just past the Double D Bar on Main St., take a left on Wilks. At the three way junction at the end of Wilks, take Jefferson, which is the Goodwin Road.

The Goodwin Road intersects the Senator Hyw about half way between Prescott and CK. It’s about 25 miles of dirt road.

Take a left onto Senator Hyw, stay on it for approx 4 miles and turn left onto FS 89. It goes thru a burned off area, decends a hill and crosses a large wash. Turn left into the wash and have a good time! Once thru the rocky sections, both of which are relatively short, you climb over a ridge or two until you get to the next major wash at the Goat Ranch. From there, the trail goes up the the Peck Mine Road. This appears to be the main road, but the DeSoto trail is a very sharp turn to the left. If you cont. out to the Peck Mine you intersect the main road to CK and miss all the hill climbs and the mine itself.

There are two cattle ponds on this section. They probably have water in’m. Prior to the second pond you have the option of going out via the “official” route in Charles Well’s book, or heading up to the DeSoto Mine. There is a faint left turn off the main trail prior to the pond – that leads to some VERY VERY interesting off camber sections. I had my wheelin’ buddy hang off the high side as a counter weight thru one spot- the body roll made it feel alot worse than it is, but looking out the drivers door down 45 deg angle at steep hillside always gives me the puckers

If you proceed on to the pond itself, the trail goes up and over the top of the ridge. The route can be very confusing at this point due to a bunch of mine roads branching off the main road. Stop at the top and explore, it offers some great veiws. The main mine is to your right on top of the hill. Once you cross the top, the trail leads down to a large flat section and the main road is bunkered off. If you look to the left edge of the brush on the flat section, you will find a steep decent down to a mine shaft- that is the way out of the maze. Follow that road out to the CK road – you come out above Cleator by a few miles.

If you have the time and want to see some more neat country, take a left at Cleator on the old railroad bed cut just east of the Cleator Bar. It will take you back to Mayer once it intersects the Old Cordes road.

Lots of varied terrain with great veiws and a ton of history. You pass close to one of the more famous Apache vs. Miner fights in the old west. Battle Flat is a great story of survival and outright toughness.

Details

This is a moderate trail and any stock Land Rover is capable of handling this trail.

We will meet in Florence and follow the road that parallels the Gila River. Then we turn north into Box Canyon. The canyon is very scenic and is very narrow in sections. This section of the trail is fairly easy but there are several moderate sized rocks to get over.

After the canyon we make our way to the Coke Ovens. This part of the trail is long and there are many obstacles encountered like steep climbs, rocky steps, and other challenging rock obstacles. However, there are challenges for everyone! We will have lunch at the Coke Ovens which are huge beehive shaped ovens.

After lunch we make our way back track about a mile up the ridge and descend towards the Gile River and follwo the trail out towards White Canyon Wilderness. this section of the trail has suffered from heavy rain errosion over the past year but is still very passable. We end the day where Battle Axe Road meets Highway 177 just south of Superior.

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This trail was described in The Arizona Republic as ‘one of the prettiest drives you’ll ever take’. The trail begins at the base of Salt River Canyon, where US-60 crosses the Salt River northeast of Globe. The trail begins with the outstanding scenery of traveling along the bottom of the Salt River Canyon, a feeling of being inside a mini Grand Canyon. We will splash through Cibeque Creek where it meets the Salt River, and work our way west toward the Rock Canyon grotto, which may be seeping water if there has been enough precipitation. Lunch likely will be along Gleason Flats, which offers a wide view of the valley and the Salt River below. The trail finishes through Cherry Creek road and wonderful views of the Sierra Ancha mountains, and finally connects with State Route 288.

Note: This trail begins on the Fort Apache Indian Reservation, and requires that each vehicle purchase a day permit for $5.00.

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Highlights: Very remote location, exceptional vistas, lots of wildlife
Near: Safford, AZ
Distance: 10.78 miles round trip
Elevation Gain: 2942 ft

Summary: This hike takes you to the top of Basset Peak, the highpoint of the Galiuro Mountains. The hike starts out at 5000 ft in elevation. The trail follows Ash Creek to its headwaters at the bottom of a large basin, which is marked by a lone stand of aspen trees. At this point the trail climbs up and out of the steep walled basin. Once you climbed out of the basin and on to the prominent ridgeline you will be at the intersection of the Ash Creek trail, the East Divide Trail, and Basset Peak Trail. Follow Basset Peak Trail for another mile to the summit.

Trailhead: From Tucson take I-10 east to Wilcox. Take exit 340, then follow Fort Grant Road north for about 18 miles to its intersection with Ash Creek Rd. Follow Ash Creek Rd west for about 15 miles. This should place you approximatley at the intersection of Sunset Rd and Ash Creek Rd. If you are in a two wheel drive vehicle this will probably be the start of your hike. Otherwise, continue up Ash Creek Rd another 2.5 miles to the trailhead and parking location. Note that the total hiking distance for this hike is relative to the trailhead. (Lat:32.50678 Lon:-110.23358)

(information from hikearizona.com)

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This is such a popular area for four-wheeling that the Tonto National Forest instituted a permit system several years ago. Locked gates bar entry, and the combination you receive with your permit works for six months before the lock is changed.

This is hilly area with enormous boulders that tower as high as the buildings downtown. With the yellow-green lichen growing on them, they look like something from another world. Every time you crest a ridge you’re treated to a new vista, and you get some of the best views of the Superstitions, Weaver’s Needle and Four Peaks that you’ve ever seen.

Enormous coveys of quail make their homes here, as do javelina, deer, and hundreds of birds and smaller mammals. In spite of the lengthy drought, springs continue to provide water year-round. Ruins of old mining shacks dot the landscape here, and scattered along the hillsides are piles of stones put there by Spaniards to mark their mining claims.

A permit is required for this trail. It’s easy to obtain and free. Carry it with you at all times. This is a highly sensitive area and subject to closure. The trail passes through scenic Sonoran Desert with views of Goldfield and Superstition Mountains. Several short, steep rocky climbs that require careful tire placement and some driving skill. Suitable for aggressive stock SUVs with high ground clearance. Go with a friend and carry a tow strap.

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This trail is rated a 3 and any stock LR is capable for this trail. Great scenery and some challenging obstacles (without damaging your LR) as well as some interesting mines to explore.

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Trail follows a normally dry creek bottom with large boulders and solid rock obstacles. Squeeze through narrow rock openings. Lockers and high ground clearance required. Extreme obstacles can be bypassed. Flash floods possible. Difficult part of the trail is just 2.3 miles but can take a while if lots of vehicles are spotted through difficult sections.