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ARIZONA 4x4 CAMPING CLUB

 Upcoming Trips
Please email Bob and register for each trip you wish to attend.

Email us at: Bob@az4x4campingclub.org

Families and riders welcome on most trips but you must pre-register with Bob prior to the trip to ensure that there is an available seat.

Please Read:
YUP, Bob left again for the summer!!! 

Fall Dates Pending

Join Dan & Bob for the Colorado 4th of July & 4x4 at the KOA

Trip Dates:

January 17th*

March 14th
February 7th March 21th
February 21st April 18th
*May move to the 24th

See below for details - 2010 Winter / Spring trips

 

 

Definitions:

 

Pebbles

High clearance 4WD vehicles preferred. Trails will vary from graded roads to dirt trails with rocks, steep grades, water crossings or ruts.

 

Rocks

High clearance 4WD vehicles with limited slip differentials or lockers strongly recommended. Trails are potentially dangerous. Potential obstacles include large ruts, rocks, mud and deep stream crossings. Traction may be an issue at times. Very steep slopes and loose gravel are possible.

 

Boulders

Lets just say that this club does not seek out trails with this level of "fun". Lockers, skid plates as well as other enhancements for the vehicle are required. Body damage is a good possibility.

 

 

January 17th, 2010 – Sunday

(note: May move to the 24th
depending on the Cardinals)
 

SAGUARO LAKE 4x4 DAY

 

Rating: Pebbles

Meeting: 9:00am Arby's Fountain Hills
(Shea & Beeline Hwy)

Join us in driving your 4x4 over the desert to the backside of Saguaro Lake (approximately 2 hours). We'll meet at &by's at Shea and the Beeline Highway at 9:00 am. and depart at 9:15 am. Bring lunch, swimming suit Yeh right in Jan!), lawn chairs (for sitting in the lake) and if you fish... fishing gear. Our destination will be the 4th cove in the middle of the lake. Maybe we can spot a bighorn sheep or deer. Riders and families welcomed.

 

 

February 7, 2010 - Sunday

Super Bowl Trip

 

DuPont Cabin

 

Rating: Pebbles

Meeting: 8:30am Arby's Fountain Hills
(Shea & Beeline Hwy)

 

Meet at Arby's at Shea and the Beeline Highway at 8:30 am., departing at 8:45. Should be an easy drive through the snow to the old cabin in the tall pines. Additional details at the briefing. Bring your camera, lunch, warm clothes and spirit of adventure. Dinner will be at the Butcher Hook Bar & Grill. Dinner is a FREE all you can eat Mexican buffet. Why you asked? Because it's their Superbowl Party with 100's of Door Prizes. Families welcomed.

NOTE: Due to forest closure of Reno pass we will go via DuPont Cabin on the back side Roosevelt Lake.
 

February 21st, 2010 – Sunday
ROSE QUARTZ MINE 4X4
Rating: Pebbles & Rock
Meeting: 9:00am Arby's Fountain Hills
(Shea & Beeline Hwy)

Meet at Arby's at Shea and the Beeline Highway at 9:00 am. for a 9:15 am. departure. We'll drive to Sycamore Creek and cross the new bridges, then turn on to the new Rose Quartz Mine Road. Bring your camera to this 4 x 4, as well allow time to stop for photos. Also bring your lunch and plenty of water. The kids love this trip, and as always, are invited. Families welcomed. NOTE: On this trip you are invited to bring your ATCs or ATVs.

 

 

March 14th, 2010 – Sunday

 

Preachers Canyon

 

Rating: Rocks

 

Meeting: 8:00am Arby's Fountain Hills
(Shea & Beeline Hwy)

 

Departing at 8:15 am. Caravan to the Jack in the Box in the Safeway parking lot. We will head north on Hwy 260 to the Preacher Canyon turnoff. Preacher Canyon runs under the new bridge and is lined with sycamore, oak and ponderosa pine trees. One stop will be for a cave used by Indians.
 


March 21st, 2010 - Sunday

 

Sedona

 

Rating: Rocks

 

Meeting: 8:30am McDonalds I-17 and Carefree Hwy

 

This is a popular trip; Devil's Kitchen, Submarine Rock and Three Nuns and the Madonna (may hit another trail as well prior to Broken Arrow). Have you guessed where it is?? This is one of the roads that the Jeep Tours do in the Sedona area, a very picturesque ride, so bring your camera. Bring lunch, drinks and the NOTE: No vehicle over 16 feet in length!

 

 

April 18th, 2010 - Sunday

 

Superstitions

 

Rating: Rocks

 

Meeting: 8:00am Holliday Inn US60 & Country Club

 

Departing at 8:15 am and be heading into a part of the Superstitions that will take us into the backside of the mountains giving us views of the East valley and the town of Superior. Lunch wll be at 4500' elevation. The cactus and wild flowers should be in bloom! Bring lunch, water, light jacket and camera.

   

Prior Trips, Pictures and Reports below:

 

July 21, 2007

Arastras

Rating: Pebbles

Meeting: 8:30am Arby's Fountain Hills
(Shea & Beeline Hwy)

Departing at 8:45 am: We will head north to Payson and regroup at Jack in the Box in the Safeway Parking lot. We will then drive to an area on the lower east Verde River, rich in mining history dating back to the Spanish explorers. We’ve located two Arastras, which were used to crush gold ore. We’ll do a short hike to the Arastras after we enjoy lunch at a beautiful secluded place on the river. This spot is also perfect for swimming. Bring lunch, water and camera.

(Trip report & Pictures)

 

 

August 18, 2007

MOGOLLON MESA

Rating: Pebbles

Meeting: TBD

Mogollon Mesa Trail – Meet behind the McDonalds at I-17 and Carefree Hwy at 8:00 am. Take I-17 to Camp Verde the on to Zane Grey Hwy. We will then a fire control road along the edge of the rim. Some of the trail may need clearing of fallen trees. We will stop for lunch by a wildlife watering hole. We usually see wildlife during the day on this trail. We should be back on the Hwy by 4:00. Some of us are stopping for dinner on the way home everyone is welcome to join us!!!

 

 

September 1 - 3, 2007

Labor Day Campout
on the Rim

Rating: Pebbles

Meeting: 8:00am Arby's Fountain Hills
(Shea & Beeline Hwy)

Caravan to the Jack in the Box in the Safeway parking lot. We will play follow the leader to one of Dan’ favorite campsites on the Rim. This is wilderness camping so be prepared!!

 

 

September 15, 2007

Smiley Rock Trail

Rating: Rocks

Meeting: NE Corner of I-17 & Carefree Hwy @ McDonalds. 8:00am with departure at 8:15 am

If you want you can catch up with the group at the Fire Station in Jerome at 10:30 am. This trail is both easy and challenging. Two-thirds of the 23 miles is easy gravel road (old bed for railroad tracks). The portion through Martin Canyon is narrow and rocky. Trail starts at the fire station in Jerome on 89A. Sections of the trail are part of the Great Western Trail. Great views of the Verde Valley for the first section. Series of rocky washes in Martin Canyon and several boulder fields. We’ll see a 2 foot boulder on the left with a naturally formed Smiley Face. We come back to 89A at Potato Patch Campground and will head toward Camp Verde. Those interested can stop for dinner. Note: We will stop off at Cottonwood to top off our gas tanks.

(Trip report & Pictures)
 

 

September 22, 2007

Night Run - Raw Deal Trail

Rating: Rocks & Pebbles

Meeting: at Meet behind the McDonalds at I-17 and Carefree Hwy. at 6:00 p.m. and depart at 6:15 p.m. We’ll stop at Rock Springs for dinner. After dinner, we will drive to the trailhead and run Pipeline Trail. At the end of the trail, those who wish can run lower Raw Deal or just watch the rest of the group have some fun!! High clearance, good tires and at least one locking differential is recommended for Raw Deal.

 

 

 

Prior Trips

 

February 10, 2007

Honey Comb Caves

Rating: Pebbles

Meeting: 9:00am Arby's at Shea & Beeline Highway

Departing at 9:15 am we'll head North on the Beeline and regroup at the new rest area at the Roosevelt Lake turn off. The area around the caves was heavily used by Indians from 1300 A.D. to 1500 AD. Most of the dwellings had disappeared by the 1800's, destroyed by early settlers and cattle ranchers. Bring lunch, water, light jacket and camera.

TRIP REPORT BELOW
 

 

February 18, 2007

Bartlet Trail
Rating: Pebbles & Rocks

 

Meet at Dairy Queen in Cave Creek at 9:15 for a 9:20 departure.  This is a half day (3 hr) trip followed by lunch in Cave Creek. This trail follows fire roads 2090 and 2097. It starts easy with runs through wash's past great rock formations. The climb out of the wash to the high rim sets the tone for the last 2 miles. Up, down, hidden turns leaves you guessing where the trail goes! Watch your stance and take it easy. Spring time is beautiful with all of the wild flowers.

TRIP REPORT BELOW
 

 

March 10, 2007

"Snow Day" Young Rd.

Rating: Pebbles

Meeting: 8:00am Arby's at Shea & Beeline Highway

Departing at 8:15 am we'll head North on the Beeline Highwway to Payson and regroup at the Burger King. After a short break we will head North on Highway 260 to the Mongollon Rim and the Young Rd. turnoff. Then we will head South to our play area. The road is about 6 mi. long. We will return the same way. Bring lunch, water, heavy clothing (layers) and camera for a picnic in the snow.

TRIP REPORT BELOW

October 13, 2007

Honey Comb Caves

Rating: Pebbles

Meeting: 9:00am Arby's at Shea & Beeline Highway

Departing at 9:15 am we'll head North on the Beeline and regroup at the new rest area at the Roosevelt Lake turn off. The area around the caves was heavily used by Indians from 1300 A.D. to 1500 AD. Most of the dwellings had disappeared by the 1800's, destroyed by early settlers and cattle ranchers. Bring lunch, water, light jacket and camera.

 

 

October 27, 2007

Preachers Canyon

Rating: Rocks

Meeting: Meet at the Arby’s in Fountain Hills and Shea Blvd at 8:00 am, departing at 8:15 am. Caravan to the Jack in the Box in the Safeway parking lot. We will head north on Hwy 260 to the Preacher Canyon turnoff. Preacher Canyon runs under the new bridge and is lined with sycamore, oak and ponderosa pine trees. One stop will be for a cave used by Indians.
 

 

November 3, 2007

Sedona

Rating: Rocks

Meeting: Meet at 8:30 a.m. (for a 8:45 departure), at Meet behind the McDonalds at I-17 and Carefree Hwy. This is a popular trip; Devil's Kitchen, Submarine Rock and Three Nuns and the Madonna. Have you guessed where it is?? This is one of the roads that the Jeep Tours do in the Sedona area.. . a very picturesque ride, so bring your camera. Bring lunch, drinks and the NOTE: No vehicle over 16 feet in length!

 

 

November 10, 2007

Coffee Pot

Rating: Rocks

Meeting: 8:00am
Arby's at Shea & Beeline Highway

Departing at 8:15 am and be heading North on the Beeline highway. This is a new trip and will be a great adventure for all! Bring lunch, water, light jacket and camera.

 

 

December 1, 2007
CHANGED!!!
December 2, 2007

Mud Springs

Rating: Rocks to Boulders!!!
HIGH CLEARANCE IS A MUST. MINIMUM 31" TIRES, AT LEAST 1 LOCKING DIFFERENTIAL REQUIRED!

Meeting: Meet ate Arby's  in Fountain Hills and Shea Blvd at 8:00, depart at 8:15. Mud Springs trail rises up 1000 ft in the first few miles from 2012' at the trail head. The trail runs along Shadow Boulder Mountain and we will cross Pine Creek several times on the trail. At the end of the trail there is a cabin used by early miners. This is also where we join Valentine Trail and cross into Valentine Canyon and to the boulders area!!
 

Prior Trips

 

April 21, 2007

Superstitions

Rating: Rocks

Meeting: 8:00am Holliday Inn US60 & Country Club

Departing at 8:15 am and be heading into a part of the Superstitions that will take us into the backside of the mountains giving us views of the East valley and the town of Superior. Lunch wll be at 4500' elevation. The cactus and wild flowers should be in bloom! Bring lunch, water, light jacket and camera.

TRIP REPORT BELOW

 

 

May 12, 2007

Coffee Pot

Rating: Rocks

Meeting: 8:00am
Arby's at Shea & Beeline Highway

Departing at 8:15 am and be heading North on the Beeline highway. This is a new trip and will be a great adventure for all! Bring lunch, water, light jacket and camera.
TRIP REPORT BELOW

 

 

May 26, 2007

Memorial Day
Campout

Rating: Pebbles and Chairs

This was a last minute gathering of a few who went to the high country.  A little 4x4'ing and camping.
PICTURES

 

 

June 06, 2007

Strawberry

Rating: Pebbles and Gnats

This was another last minute gathering of a few who went to the high country.  A little 4x4'ing and and lunch with the locals.  the game was to see who could eat lunch first.  The humans or the Cedar Gnats.
PICTURES

 

 

 

June / July 2007

Ouray, Colorado

Rating:Real Mountain High

Meeting: 6:00am McDonalds at I-17 & Carefree Highway (or in Ouray)

RESERVE EARLY!

Departing at 6:15 am we'll head North on I-17. See the attached document drive details. We will be camping at the KOA campground with lots of grass and trees. Activities will include easy 4x4 day trips, white water rafting, Silverton train ride and fishing. There are several hot springs in the area for relaxation. This will be a week of relaxation, 4x4 play and outdoor activities. Families and riders welcome!  Reserve early!

Honey Comb Caves Trip Report:
Lets just say that this trip did not go as planned! First the area is close for wildlife breeding (we threatened to jump the fence and start breeding to gain access but, reality set in and we chose to scratch and trash a few jeeps!), next one member (the smart one John) went his own way!

Ok the area was closed for Bald Eagle breeding from Dec. 1 to June 30.  We respected that and stayed out of the area. When the road says closed and shows a map of the entire area closed, believe it. Had a nice lunch at the second closed gate (even if Bob failed to share his burrito and pillaged from the rest of us). Lunch was after a short hike to view the caves from afar (OK a long ways away!). We will have to hit this one again in October when it opens. See the pictures on the pictures (click here or the picture page).

Bartlet Trail Trip Report:
A great day in the hills of the Tonto National Forest. Started out by following the wrong fire road (Michael never remembers) but we turned back with only a 15 minute delay. On fire road 2090 we wind and ride the roller coaster through the wash / ATV trails. A little tight at times but not bad. Great rock formations greeted us along the way. We ran into the local one eyed trail boss taking tourists the opposite way in his old scrambler. A stop prior to the climb up to the top of the rim lead to quotes from Bill to his Austrian passenger of "Now the real 4-wheeling starts!" It is a steep climb up fire road 2097 and then up again. This is not as bad as the blind left and right turns at the top of the climbs. This requires a lot of hanging of ones head out of the window and looking for the trail. At the top of the rim we were slowed by a full sized Dodge diesel climbing up the steep drop into the wash.  Once again we were amazed by the things we find along the trail.  It barely fit through the cut in the road (see the pictures). This is a short trip that can be extended by running it the opposite way and taking a different trail out of the wash.

Snow Day Trip Report:
Unfortunately we did not get to drive to where Bob was going to take us, about 6 miles in. Rob & Sharon led us in making a path in the snow, Bob was in his PU truck and got stuck a couple of times, he had to be pulled out by Rob. Bob, Sharon and Michael made the snowman. Sapphire (the dog in her first snow) played in the snow and tried to eat the snow (not so good once its yellow!). We found plenty of Elk tracks in the snow. The lake was still partly frozen, it was very quiet at the lake area, all you could hear were many bullfrogs making their music. After making the snowman and taking photos we turned around and went south back towards Payson, we turned off at another off-roading area. Fun but no snow. There were a couple of places that only the Jeeps could squeeze through the trees. Bob left his truck at a pull off and walked the rest of the way. We found Elk footprints there also as well as signs of other animals. We had lunch here and of course did some cleanup from prior visitors. (see the pictures)

Superstition Trail Trip Report:
Once again our day was rainy, muddy and great! It was nice and cool (especially for those who showed up without doors or windows!) and no dust. But, LOTS of mud. Easy going at the start, nice stop at the cattle shack followed shortly there after by the boys seeing who can get stuck on the big rock. Oliver won! See the picture of him being winched off the rock. Our new member Mike H. and his son made it over without issue. Michael avoided the challenge. From there one challenge after another as we climbed from 2300' to 5100' over the next 5 miles. One part of the road was washed out with a 4 foot deep crevice exactly where the right tires would go. This made for a very tight passage to avoid the wash. By now we were climbing through the pea soup. At one point we had to avoid a full sized bronco perched at the top of one of the hills. All we could see is people in the back seat! The cholla were in bloom. Purples, reds and yellows. Lunch was in the soup which cleared as we were getting ready to depart. Views in all directions.  From here switchbacks through the scorched forest ended at the gypsum mine. We took the alternate rout out over the hill through beautiful rocks and views. Coco (the pup) had a great day playing with everyone, tasting everything and sleeping on mom's shoulders on the way home.  (see the pictures)

Coffee Pot Trip Report (thanks to Sharon for the report and Pic's):
Well the team went bush whacking again.  Overgrown trails in need of serious maintenance were maintained and concurred! All in all a good day!  We had a returning new member (Mike).  Must have not scarred him off the first time.  Lets see is a few more AZ pin stripes does.  I know Scott would have loved to been on the trip to get another set of stripes! Sharon wanted to get pictures of the trail maintenance but was pinned in the jeep by the heavy brush. A section of the trail was heavily washed out and mounted somewhat of a challenge that all passed with ease. (see the pictures)

Contact us:
Email Bob at: Bob@az4x4campingclub.org 
 

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Updated May 14, 2010