July 8 – PAUC TABLE MESA OHV AREA RIDE   

July 8, 2023 – PAUC TABLE MESA OHV AREA RIDE   

Hi Gang,

Sorry for the late posting but some of my weekend plans got cancelled so it freed me up to go riding.  I just got back into town from 7 weeks of taking care of my mother in Chicago.  I missed all the good riding weather so I need to do a shakedown ride near Phoenix to check out my quad that has been idle for 2 months.

On Saturday July 8th, at 8:45AM, I will lead an exploratory PAUC Table Mesa OHV Area Ride with a trip up to Black Canyon City or Rock Springs for a meet-and-greet lunch at Chilleen’s Restaurant or the Rock Springs Café.  This is a desert and mountain hills ride through some varied and beautiful desert / mountain scenery.  Bring a camera for those Kodak moments.  My plan is to explore some of the OHV trails to obtain GPS coordinates to lay out a FUTURE Geocache / Treasure Hunt event ride.   Total Mileage approximately 50-55 miles.  I have not done this ride in 2 years so trail conditions are unknown.

IF YOU HAVE AN EXTRA SEAT IN YOUR SXS OR UTV FOR THE RIDE, EMAIL ME (bob.maitzen@gmail.com) OR LEAVE A COMMENT AT THE END OF THE RIDE DESCRIPTION TO LET OTHER MEMBERS KNOW.   MEMBER GUESTS AND FRIENDS WOULD LIKE TO GO ON THIS FUN SCENIC RIDE. 

 

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS

• BLM Kiosk # 2 Staging Area (1.8 miles west of I-17 exit 236)
• Aqua Fria River Crossings # 1 + # 2 + # 3
• Little Pan Campground (vaulted toilets)
• Indian Fort
• FR9959 Mountain Viewpoint
• Cottonwood Creek Waterpool Crossing
• Moore’s Gulch
• Powerline Trail up to Black Canyon City
• Chilleen’s Restaurant or Rock Springs Café for lunch
• Possible return on the moderate-difficult rated Pipeline Trail (depends on the group)

 

RIDE DESCRIPTION

The general riding area is northwest out of the Table Mesa OHV Recreation Area.  I plan to hit all three Aqua Fria Water Crossings and drive up to the Indian Fort and over the mountain to the Cottonwood Creek Corral.  The Aqua Fria River water crossing # 2 is running about 2’ in depth so there will should be some Splash Zone videos.  On the other side of the water crossing, we will take trail 9999 towards the Indian Fort.  Our destination highlight stop will be at the Indian Fort [N34° 01.198′ W112° 10.757′].  You will be able to climb to the top of the Indian Fort via a narrow steep slot crevasse about 20’ up with handholds and solid rock step ledges.  It’s worth the climb for the Kodak moment and views over the river canyon Indian trade route and nearby gold panning claims.

 

                                                                 Indian Fort

Another meet-and-greet stop will be on trail 9959 at the mountaintop viewpoint looking back over the whole Table Mesa OHV Area.  We may descend into Cottonwood Creek Wash and stay on 9959 which follows a rocky and sandy wash and canyon with a narrow mining trail.  A local rancher has installed and locked a gate preventing access to the Tip Top Mine and mining district.

                                         Trail 9959 Mountain Viewpoint

 

    Powerline Trail to Black Canyon City           Little Squaw Creek I-17 Viaduct Tunnel

 

 STAGING AREA AND START TIME

The staging area will be at the Table Mesa BLM Kiosk # 2 staging area which is 1.8 miles west from the I-17 freeway (5-minutes) in the Table Mesa OHV Recreation Area.  Be there before 8:00AM to unload your vehicle and sign-in.  We will depart the staging area at 8:45AM after the Safety Meeting.

Directions to the Table Mesa BLM Kiosk # 2 Staging Area:  Take I-17 to the Table Mesa exit 236.  Turn west (left) over the freeway and take the first right (north) two-lane frontage road on the west side of I-17 onto W Table Mesa Road. Do not miss this turn or you will get back on the freeway.   Proceed 1.7 miles NW on W Table Mesa Road (dirt road) past the pipeline facility to the first intersection and take the right fork NNW onto the AZCO Mine Road (trail 9999). Go on this right fork road for 1000’ to the BLM Kiosk # 2 staging area on the southside (left) of the 9999 road.

You can view the staging area on the Google Maps Satellite view at N33°59’14.8″W 112°08’52.5” (or enter the Google map coordinates 33.987444, -112.147909).  Clicking the larger Google Satellite Map at the bottom of the ride description to get turn-by-turn instructions from your house to the staging area.  You can also print out a Table Mesa Route Map from the following address:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Fhg16V8sNYw3LJ4qqEoSNDh0DBGIq3rG/view?pli=1

 

 

TRAIL RATING

Overall, the Table Mesa OHV Area is usually rated an Easy-to-Moderate (Level 1–2; Green–Blue) trail rating but some trails may have washouts from recent rains or may have degraded to an occasional Difficult (Level 3; Red) rating.  DEFINITION: Will have some spots that are off-camber; some hilly/rocky spots and steep slopes; recommended for experienced drivers with ability to ride at medium to high speeds on rocky uneven terrain. Parts of the trail follows washes, which can change after heavy rains and flooding. UTVs / SxSs / ROVs are okay on this trail.  Low range gear recommended for a few rocky and steep areas.  Not recommended for sports quads or three-wheelers.

REFERENCE SCALE FOR DIFFERENT TRAIL BOOK RATINGS

Easy / Moderate / Difficult / Extreme = Green / Blue / Red / Black = Levels 1 / 2 / 3 / 4.

 

COMMUNICATION

Flight leaders, mid-pack wingmen, and tailgunners will be on GMRS/FRS Channel 5 (sub-channel 0) in case you want to bring your walkie-talkies or CB / HAM radios. The corresponding UHF channel frequency is 462.6625 MHz depending on your radio.  I highly recommend bringing a walkie-talkie to listen to approaching traffic, turns, and trail conditions.

 

VEHICLE & EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS

All ATVs, UTVs, & SxSs should be street-legal and have the Arizona Off Highway Vehicle Decal sticker. Dress appropriately and keep hydrated. Bring a lunch, snacks, and beverages. Bring a camera for those Kodak moments.  Extra fuel is usually not required but each driver should know their vehicle’s gas consumption and plan accordingly.

Helmet that is properly fitted, fastened, and has a USDOT safety rating for those 18 years of age and younger who ride on an OHV. Riders in an OHV such as a ROV / UTV / SxS or similar vehicle, while recommended for safety, do not require a helmet unless a rider is under 18 years of age. The Phoenix ATV/UTV Club promotes the use of helmets on all its rides. Eye protection is required for operators of vehicles not equipped with a windshield. You should use common sense for eye protection, bandanas, scarves, and dust masks for large group riding due to the dust conditions anyway.

 

SAFE, ETHICAL and RESPONSIBLE OPERATION OF YOUR VEHICLE

All Phoenix ATV/UTV Club members, visitors, and guests are expected to have appropriate vehicle registration, license, and personal insurance and to operate their vehicles in a responsible manner.  The Phoenix ATV/UTV Club is a responsible member of the OHV riding community.  As such the Club promotes safe and responsible operation of OHVs during club rides.  Arizona Revised Statute 28-1381 prohibits the operation of motorized vehicles, including OHVs, while under the influence of any substance that may impair the operator’s judgment or ability. Therefore, the Club prohibits the consumption or use of any substance during a club ride that has the potential to impair the operator’s judgment or ability.

 

TAIL GUNNER
If my usual outstanding wingman can’t make it, I will need a tail gunner for the ride if any PAUC member wants to volunteer. Otherwise, a responsible rider will be appointed at the staging area.

 

 

“You can always go on a ride with people. It’s best to go on a ride with friends.” Come join a few of us for a fun ride!

Live to Ride… Ride to Live!   Happy Trails To You… Until We Meet Again…

Bob Maitzen, President
Phoenix ATV/UTV Club

(480) 363-7723
Bob.Maitzen@gmail.com