PAUC Cave Creek to Humboldt Mtn to Sheeps Bridge Crossing Ride 

April 25, 2020 – PAUC Cave Creek to Humboldt Mtn to Sheeps Bridge Crossing Ride   

On Saturday April 25th, Bill Poppo and I will lead a PAUC CLUB RIDE through the Cave Creek Mining District area of the Tonto National Forest NNE of Phoenix/Scottsdale.  This is one of our longer Four Points of the Compass rides through some varied and beautiful desert / mountain scenery to give members a chance to ride near Phoenix without traveling too far to get to the staging area.  Bring a camera for those Kodak moments.  Due to the length of the ride and staging location, we will NOT have our customary post-ride Desert Dessert Bar social event after the ride.  Depending on the size of the group, the ride will be about 90-95 miles in 8-9 hours with scenic meet-and-greet stops.

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 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.

RIDE DESCRIPTION
This is a very smooth fast scenic ride (usually “passenger car smooth”) on the fully-graded 2-lane dirt Cave Creek Road (FR24).  Average speed will be 30 MPH for some breeze and to allow members more time at the meet-and-greet scenic stops and on the slower mining trail side trips.  The main road description & GPS coordinates of the Cave Creek Road Trail and Big Maggie May Trail can be found on pages 412-417 of the 2001 edition of the “Backcountry Adventures – Arizona” (by Peter Massey & Jeanne Wilson).

RIDE HIGHLIGHTS

• Depending on the size of the group, we may depart in multiple flights.  There will be a Sign-In roster sheet at the staging area.  The ride from the parking lot to the top of Humboldt Mtn is 12 miles on a two-lane passenger car smooth dirt road.
• There are two scheduled vaulted toilet stops along this ride. One is at the Bronco Trailhead parking lot and the other is at the Cave Creek Trailhead parking lot near the Seven Springs CCC Campground.  The toilets may be locked and closed due to the lockdown orders throughout the Tonto National Forest.
• Our first DESTINATION HIGHLIGHT is a side trail 8-mile roundtrip ride on SR 562 rising from 3200′ up to the top of HUMBOLDT MOUNTAIN to see the FAA radar installation at 5150′.  Views of Horseshoe Lake, Bartlett Lake, Four Peaks, and Camelback Mtn and surrounding Cave Creek Mining District generate one of those “Wow!” Kodak moments.  It is extremely enjoyable and scenic!  We backtrack and return to FR24 on the same SR 562 route.

• Next, we drive past the Seven Springs CCC Campground (No ATVs Allowed) so we will have a pee break stop next door at the Cave Creek Trailhead with its vaulted toilets (May be closed due to NFS lockdown).
• Our next two DESTINATION HIGHLIGHTS are meet-and-greet photo stops at the Fifty-One Ranch Restored Stagecoach Stop stone cabin and at the CP Butte (bell rock formation) on FR24.  We continue north through Roundtree Canyon up to FR268 Bloody Basin Road.

• Depending on our time constraints, we plan to have lunch in a shady area of the Tangle Creek dispersed campground on FR268 or at Bob’s Top Secret Spot.
• Riding down FR268 Bloody Basin Road to Sheeps Bridge Crossing is our main DESTINATION HIGHLIGHT of the ride.  The last 9 miles downhill from Tangle Creek to the Verde river is rated MODERATE with lots of loose rock and off-cambered sections.  Recent rains may have made it worse than normal.  This section takes the most time for groups with the uphill return taking longer.

• The ride will be between 90-95 miles in 8-9 hours.  If time permits, on our return, we may take an optional side trip ride on the BIG MAGGIE MAY TRAIL [9.5 miles RT & 50 minutes] via the scenic Gray’s Gulch switchbacks to the remains of a stone line-cabin.

STAGING AREA AND START TIME
The recovery vehicles parking lot is at the Blue Wash Trailhead staging area near Cave Creek AZ.  The ride will depart at 8:30AM after the 8:15AM safety meeting.  Get there EARLY to unload, sign-in, and meet-and-greet other riders.  Here are the directions to the staging area.

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 pass the Bartlett Lake Rd turnoff at 4.2 miles.  Continue straight on Cave Creek Rd towards the Seven Springs area.  The staging area is at Mile Marker 2.3 on the right side of the road at N33° 52.622′ W111° 49.019′ (33.877033, -111.816983) at the Blue Wash Trailhead parking lot.

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 pass the Bartlett Lake Rd turnoff at 4.2 miles.  Continue straight on Cave Creek Rd towards the Seven Springs area.  The staging area is at Mile Marker 2.3 on the right side of the road at N33° 52.622′ W111° 49.019′ (33.877033, -111.816983) at the Blue Wash Trailhead parking lot.

An overflow parking/staging area is 0.2 miles further around curve at the bottom of hill on the west side of the Blue Wash (N33° 52.695′ W111° 48.935′). 

TRAIL RATING
This ride is rated an overall Easy-to-Moderate [Level 1-2; Green-Blue] trail rating but some trails may have washouts from recent rains or may have degraded in sections to an occasional Difficult (Level 3; Red) rating.  DEFINITION: Will have some spots that are off-cambered; 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 will follow 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.  Two-Up ATVs okay for passengers.

REFERENCE SCALE FOR DIFFERENT TRAIL BOOK RATINGS

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

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 90-95 miles in 8-9 hours with scenic meet-and-greet stops.  Due to length of this ride with optional side trips, we recommend bringing extra fuel.  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.

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.

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
We need a tail gunner for the ride if any 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 check out our club!

Live to Ride… Ride to Live!

Bob Maitzen

(480) 363-7723

bob.maitzen@gmail.com