Sept 17 – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Bumble Bee Historical Mines Tour Ride

Saturday, Sept 17, 2022 – OPEN TO THE PUBLIC Bumble Bee Historical Mines Tour Ride

 

The member ride sign-ups have been low this past month due to the heat and weekend monsoon activity so I am opening this Bumble Bee Historical Mines Tour Ride to the general public and PAUC Facebook Followers (ATVs, UTVs, and SxSs only).  I have not posted this ride since last year, so trail conditions are unknown.  This is one of those fun rides that you want to bring your spouse, significant other, or that friend you been wanting to introduce to off-roading.  I am limiting this ride to 15 vehicles unless another flight ride leader steps forward to lead a second flight.  Put yourself on the waiting list if the ride fills up. 

FYI – only PAUC club member names will show up on the attendees list.   The ride leader will see everyone’s names including their passengers for the Name Tags. 

 

Register for the ride on our Event Calendar on our internet website (https://phoenixatvutvclub.org/event/sept-17-open-to-the-public-bumble-bee-historical-mines-tour-ride/) and not on our Facebook Group.

 

This is one of my favorite Four Points of the Compass rides near Phoenix.  It is also one of the club’s most downloaded GPS Tracks from our Archive Library at 5,680 views.  I usually do this ride or a variation of the ride a couple of times a year and a lot of veteran club members have already gone on this ride.

IF YOU HAVE AN EXTRA SEAT IN YOUR SXS OR UTV FOR THE RIDE, EMAIL ME OR FACEBOOK MESSAGE ME TO LET ME KNOW.   Member guests and friends would like to go on this fun scenic ride.

 

RIDE DESCRIPTION

On Saturday, Sept 17, 2022, at 9:00 AM, I will lead a Phoenix ATV/UTV Club Ride for PAUC Members and PAUC Facebook Followers on a ride in the Bumble Bee OHV Area.  Depending on the group size and scenic stops, we should be back at the staging area by 5:00pm-5:30pm.   Bring a camera for those Kodak moments.   Bring a lunch, snacks, and beverages for eating on the trail.

 

RIDE HIGHLIGHTS

• Lots of scenic off-road travel on a number of mining trails through Turkey Creek, Government Springs Wash and the Bumble Bee Wash OHV areas.

• Some Easy-to-Moderate level difficulty side trails for meet-and-greet Kodak moments visiting the old abandoned Bumble Bee Ranch line-cabin and traveling to a distant hidden canyon to see the 75′ Antelope Creek Waterfall pool area with Petroglyphs (aka Bumble Creek Waterfall). The waterfall area may only be a wet smear with the low water tables due to the drought but it usually has a few spring-fed waterpools.

• We will visit the Hidden Treasure Gold Mine, American Flag Mine (aka Old Brooks Mine), and the Turkey Creek reclamation route and viewpoint overlooking the old Golden Turkey Mine (aka Silver Pheasant Mine) and its large stone cabin and explosives shed.

• After some fun twisty desert riding in the sandy Bumble Bee Wash and Government Springs Wash, we arrive at the Cleator Yacht Club saloon in the town of Cleator for a 30-min lunch. Pack a lunch, munchies, water, and beverages for yourself. Bathroom facilities area available in the bar area. This is a fun Meet-and-Greet lunch spot so walk around or grab a table on the front porch, at the historic bar, or out back in the marina area.
• Depending on time constraints, there could be a possible side trip after lunch on the Moderate-level switchback mining trail up to the old DeSoto copper mine.
• Fast return on the two-lane Crown King road with a possible final stop at the St John’s Mine on a viewpoint hill.
• Plan on 50 miles in length with all the meet-and-greet stops and side-trip ride segments. Extra fuel is usually not required but each rider should know their machine’s fuel consumption. There are no gas stations in Cleator.

 

POST-RIDE DESERT DESSERT BAR

Depending on the sign-up response, there may be a post-ride Desert Dessert Bar (sodas, water, cookies, cake slices) so stay for a little while to socialize and decompress after the ride.

 

TRAIL RATING

This ride is 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-cambered; 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.

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
Drive up I-17 up to the Bumble Bee/Crown King exit 248.  Turn west and head down the asphalt road to the bottom of the hill approximately 2.75 miles from the exit. The asphalt road ends at the bottom of the hill. The staging area is about a ¾ mile further down the Bumble Bee/Crown King DIRT ROAD on the west side of the road. You can view it on the Google Maps Satellite view at coordinates N34.1614° W112.1663°.   We will depart the staging area at 9:00AM so try to get there before 8:00AM to unload your vehicle.  The SAFETY MEETING will be at 8:45AM.  The ride will depart at 9:00AM and return approximately 5:00PM.

Staging area on Google Maps:
Enter the GPS coordinates N34.1614° W112.1663° or (Google coordinates 34.161400, -112.166300 ) into Google Maps and zoom out to see the way from the I-17 Exit 248 to the staging area.

There is also an overflow staging area about 1/4 mile past the Bumble Bee staging area if the lot is full. There are a few parking spots along the asphalt road as you come down from the I-17 exit 248 too.

 

SOCIAL DISTANCING BETWEEN MEMBERS AND VEHICLES:

Pease 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.

 

TAILGUNNER AND SECOND FLIGHT LEADER NEEDED
I am looking for an experienced member with a radio to volunteer as my tailgunner.  Otherwise, a responsible rider will be appointed at the staging area.   Other riders with radios can volunteer as mid-pack wingmen to maintain radio contact.  If an experienced PAUC Member/Ride Leader wants to be a second flight leader, I will open the ride to more riders.

 

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.  I highly recommend bringing a walkie-talkie to listen to approaching traffic 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.

“Come join us for a fun ride and explore some local historical stops and trails and make new friends!”

Live to Ride… Ride to Live!  Happy Trails…

Bob Maitzen
Phoenix ATV/UTV Club

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