Feb 8, 2020 – Four Peaks Mountain Summit + EL Oso Mine + Rolls OHV Area Ride (Northeast of Fountain Hills / Fort McDowell area)

RIDE DESCRIPTION

This is one of my FOUR POINTS OF THE COMPASS rides that gives members, visitors, and potential new members a chance to explore new areas that they might not normally ride.  This is also one of those fun rides where you want to bring the wife, family, or that friend that you been wanting to convince about getting into ATV riding to come along.   The 7-day weather forecast is expecting 49°-73° with sunny weather.  Dress appropriately in layers and keep hydrated.

On Saturday, Feb 8th, at 9:30 AM, a number of veteran ride leaders will lead a Phoenix ATV/UTV Club Ride up to the summit of the Four Peaks mountain range and over to the El Oso Mine on the scenic Mazatzal Divide ridgeline trail before descending back into the Rolls OHV Area to visit the Saquaro Lake Hidden Beach Cove # 2.   Depending on the member turnout, we may go out in multiple flights.  Pack a lunch to eat at the top of the mountain.  Bring a camera for those Kodak moments.  From the top of the mountain, you can look down on Roosevelt Lake through the pine trees and scrub pine.

After the summit lunch, we will do a side-trip on the scenic Edwards Park trail following the Mazatzal Divide ridgeline to the nearby El Oso Mine.  Those adventurous riders with flashlights can take a group walking tour of the many mine adit tunnels while the rest of the group has a meet-and-greet session.  Bring a tactical flashlight for each person to explore the bedrock tunnel system.  Your cellphone light will not provide enough light in the many side tunnels.

This is a 50-mile roundtrip Easy-to-Moderate desert hills ride up to the top of Four Peaks Mountain that takes 5-6 hours (including the meal & stops) through some varied and beautiful desert / mountain scenery. On the return, riders can opt to drive back to the staging area OR extend their time by an hour and another 16 miles RT doing some exploring through the Rolls OHV Area out to the Saquaro Lake Hidden Beach Cove # 2.  Extra fuel is usually not required but each rider should know their machine’s fuel consumption.

ALL MEMBERS, GUESTS, VISITORS, AND POTENTIAL NEW MEMBERS ARE WELCOMED ON THIS RIDE.  IF YOU HAVE AN EXTRA SEAT IN YOUR SXS OR UTV FOR THE RIDE, CALL OR EMAIL ME TO LET ME KNOW.   I drive an ATV and I have a few friends that would like to go on this ride.

DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS

• Four Peaks/Rolls OHV Area
• Mud Springs Trailhead
• Four Peaks Mountaintop (Lone Pines Trailhead Summit)
• Views of Roosevelt Lake
• Mazatzal Divide ridgeline (Edward Parks trail)
• El Oso Mine Tour
• Rolls OHV Area + Saquaro Lake Hidden Beach Cove # 2

POST-RIDE DESERT DESSERT BAR

Our club will be providing brownie bites, lemon bites, cake slices, cookies, and sodas for a post-ride social event Desert Dessert Bar after the Rolls OHV Area ride to top off the day ride.  Hang around for a little while to socialize and decompress after re-trailering your vehicles.

TRAIL RATING

The Four Peaks/EL Oso Mine/Rolls OHV Area ride is usually rated an overall Easy-to-Moderate Ride [Level 1-2, Green-Blue] but could occasionally have some difficult sections resulting from a recent washout.  Definition: May have some spots that are off-camber; some hilly/rocky spots or few steep slopes; recommended for riders with more than 12 months of riding experience).  UTVs / SxSs / ROVs okay on this trail.  2WD vehicles s/b okay.  Low range gear recommended for a very few rocky areas.  Two-Up ATVs okay for passengers.

STAGING AREA AND START TIME
The ride will start from the Four Peaks/Rolls OHV staging area at 9:30 AM to give time to the West Valley members, visitors, and potential new members to get there. To get to the staging area, head 15.1 miles north (16 minutes) on the Beeline Highway (Highway 87) from Shea Blvd to the Cline Cabin Road / Four Peaks Road (approx milepost 204), turn right (east) and go 0.7 miles east of Highway 87 to the fenced staging area.   Google Maps has the approximate coordinates at N33° 40′ 9″, W111° 29′ 42 ( 33.669167, -111.495000).  You can view it on the Google Maps Satellite view by copying those coordinates into Google Maps.   I drive a white Ford Expedition with white 5×14 trailer and ride a black Polaris 500 Sportsman X2 ATV.  The ride will depart at 9:30AM after the 9:15AM safety meeting.  Get there early by 8:30AM to unload, sign-in, and meet-and-greet other riders.

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.  Depending on the size of the group, the ride will be about 63 miles in 7-8 hours including the meal & scenic meet-and-greet stops.  Extra fuel is usually not required but each driver should know their vehicle’s gas consumption and plan accordingly.  You can buy gas in Wickenburg.

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