June 25 – Desert Vista OHV Area – Camp Creek Wash Exploratory Ride (North Scottsdale AZ)

June 25, 2022 – Desert Vista OHV Area – Camp Creek Wash Exploratory Ride (North Scottsdale AZ)

I have not done a Camp Creek Wash to Needlerock ride in about three years.  I want to do an exploratory ride in this North Scottsdale Desert Vista OHV Area during the day to plan out a future night ride.  I have done this short ride only a couple of times and want to explore some offshoot side canyons and return on the plateau trails above the creek valley.  Depending on the side trails, the ride will only be about 40 miles long.

The destination highlight at the end of Camp Creek Wash Canyon is the Needle Rock Campground on the Verde River Recreation Site below Bartlett Lake Dam.  This will be one of those short fun sandy wash & canyon rides where you want to bring the wife, family members, significant other, or that friend that you been trying to coax into ATV riding to come along.

Needle Rock Campground Area on the Verde River Recreation Site

If you have an extra seat in your SxS or UTV for the ride, email me to let me know at bob.maitzen@gmail.com.     

 I usually get a few inquiries from members and friends that like to go on my rides.  Members can also asked about an Open Seat offer in the Comments section.  RIDE INCENTIVE:  Preferential placement to front of the pack to those offering an extra open seat in your SxS or UTV for the ride.

TRAIL RATING

This will be an EASY–MODERATE level trail rating (Level 1–2, GREEN–BLUE) mostly in sandy washes since trail conditions are unknown.  Definition: May have some rough spots that are off-cambered; some hilly/rocky spots and a few steep slopes; recommended for riders with at least 1 year riding experience with ability to ride at medium-to-high speeds on sandy uneven terrain).  Parts of the trail follows canyon washes, which can change after heavy rains and flooding.  UTVs / SxSs / ROVs / 2WD Sports Quad, and passengers on Two-Up ATVs are okay on this trail.  Low range gear and 4WD recommended for a few rocky areas.   Kids on 2WD Sports Quads should be okay.

REFERENCE SCALE FOR DIFFERENT TRAIL BOOK RATINGS

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

STAGING AREA AND START TIME
The departure staging area is at the intersection of the Camp Creek Wash on Bartlett Dam Road.  You will see a roadside Camp Creek Wash sign about a city block before the wide staging area on both the north/south sides of the road.  Park on either side of the road… just be careful that you don’t get stuck in the sand and try to leave room for other vehicles to park and unload.

The ride will depart at 9:00AM after the 8:45AM safety meeting.  Get there EARLY to unload, sign-in, and meet-and-greet the other riders.  I would like to explore some of the side canyons of the Camp Creek Wash for future club rides.  There may be some narrow side canyons where the SxSs might have to turn around.  It is about 11 miles to the Needle Rock campground on the Verde River.  I plan to return using the upper plateau trails to explore some other access trails.

Directions from East Valley / Scottsdale by I-101 & Pima Rd

Take Pima Rd exit 36 on the I-101 and head north on Pima Rd 11.8 miles to Cave Creek Rd.  Turn right (east) at the stop sign and go 6.6 miles to the staging area.  You will hit the Bartlett Lake Rd turnoff at 4.2 miles.  Turn right onto Bartlett Lake Rd and proceed 2.8 miles to the Camp Creek Wash staging area at 33°50’56.1″N 111°47’11.4″W (Google map coordinates 33.848917, -111.786500)

Directions from West Valley or North Phoenix Area.

Take Carefree Hwy east to Scottsdale Rd (7200E).  Scottsdale Rd becomes Tom Darlington Dr north of Carefree Hwy.  Turn north on Tom Darlington Dr and go 0.9 miles north to Stagecoach Pass Rd.  Turn right (east) on Stagecoach Rd and go 2.0 miles (third stopsign) to Pima Rd.  Turn left (north) on Pima Rd and go 0.3 miles to Cave Creek Rd.  Turn right (east) at the stopsign and go 6.6 miles to the staging area.  You will hit the Bartlett Lake Rd turnoff at 4.2 miles.  Turn right onto Bartlett Lake Rd and proceed 2.8 miles to the Camp Creek Wash staging area at 33°50’56.1″N 111°47’11.4″W (Google map coordinates 33.848917, -111.786500)

You can download turn-by-turn instructions to the staging area onto your smartphone using the embedded map at the bottom of the ride description.

DESERT VISTA OHV AREA MAP

You can download a free trail map at https://fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/fseprd734580.pdf  or find the map under the Members-Only-Access/Archive Libraries/Outside Reference Maps Library on our club website.

SOCIAL DISTANCING BETWEEN MEMBERS AND VEHICLES

Please observe public health directives of 6’-8’ between people and gatherings of <10 people.  If necessary, we will go out on multiple flights to adhere to the public health guidelines.  No handshaking or high-fives or hugging.  Try to exercise caution and stay apart and off to the side of individuals instead of being downwind of them when talking.  All vehicles will maintain adequate spacing to limit dust conditions and social distancing. If you don’t feel well or have not practiced self-quarantine for the past two weeks, DO NOT come on this ride and put others at risk!  All vehicles will maintain adequate spacing to limit dust conditions and social distancing.  All participants MUST wear a mask or dust mask, kerchief, bandana, scarf, or other means of protective personal equipment for their personal safety as well as for the safety of other participants.

COMMUNICATION

Leader, mid-pack wingmen, and tailgunner 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.  We 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 snacks and beverages. Bring a camera for those Kodak moments.  Depending on the size of the group, the ride will be about 40 miles with only a few scenic meet-and-greet stops.

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

The Phoenix ATV / UTV Club is a responsible member of the OHV riding community.  As such, the Club promotes safe, ethical, and responsible operation of OHVs during club rides in accordance with ARIZONA REVISED STATUTE 28-1174A-D SAFE AND RESPONSIBLE OPERATION OF YOUR OHV VEHICLE and in accordance with ARIZONA REVISED STATUTE 28-1381 DRIVING OR ACTUAL PHYSICAL CONTROL WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE, which 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 & MID-PACK WINGMEN NEEDED

I need a tail gunner for the ride if any veteran member with a radio wants to volunteer. Otherwise, a responsible rider will be appointed at the staging area.  You can also volunteer to be a mid-pack wingmen if you have a radio.

“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 and make new friends!

Live to Ride… Ride to Live!