Camping and Wheeling?????

[Jamie469]

Where would be a good place to do the combination of these two? (within an hour or so of Tempe) I don't care if I see the occasional person, but at the same time I don't want to be camping out on the 202 either. Are most of the trails that are on state land also available for camping? Alsoly, whats the rule with campfires, or mini-grills out there??? :confused:

Would prefer the FJ area, but will go about anywhere.

Thanks,
jamie

[westy]

what difficulty of trails are you prepared for?

Have you been up to Sunflower Mine off Hwy 87? Good camping and some light-moderate 4wheeling. Less than an hour from Tempe area.

Fire restrictions are in effect in most national forests across the state already, check with the regulations for details.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/home.shtml

[jeepsonly]

I don't mean to scare you or anything but consider taking a friend or "a friend", if you know what I mean. There have been a few campers killed out there over the years. Be careful "out there".

[Jamie469]

I'm ready for like a 3.5 trail or so. Got the lift in and 33's. Don't have the desire to get too wild, but something on the easier side of moderate.

It will most likely be 3 or 4 of us guys out there. And thanks for the advice, I'll invite my other "friend" Remington as well.

Sunflower mine looks fun. Was hoping to go somewhere where we could have a fire though, I'm fairly new (8 months) to AZ, andI have no idea which national forest a given trail falls under. Are there any trails out there that don't fall under a national forest and that we COULD have a campfire???? Of course I'd bring out a shovel and make a fire safe area, but I still want to know if its even allowed first....

Thanks guys.
Jamie

[azrubyman]

Regarding fires...check with the USFS or appropriate land agency for any restrictions specific to area you decide to go to. Do not take anyone elses word for where a fire is allowed, because they could be wrong.
Also, even if a camp fire is allowed....EXTREME caution must be used. This can not be over emphasized. Be very careful out there, even if we get a shower it will do nothing to reduce the threat of wildfire at this time.
Ken

[Jamie469]

Hmm....... that doesn't sound promising :rolleyes: Should still be a good time either way.

Forgot to mention.

Anyone who wants to go camping with us is certainly welcome to it. Will just be 3 or 4 of us Iowa boys drinkin beers and telling stories. We're a pretty good group and wouldn't mind at all if we had more people willing to go.

Will probably be on friday night, leaving either afternoon or evening. Preferably get out there before 5 and do the majority of any wheeling before that in the light, then set up camp and start the fun camping experience.

[westy]

Sunflower Mine trail is on the Tonto National Forest, call one of the local ranger districts to get info that is your best bet. #'s can be found on the site I listed above.

It is a nice area, some old mines/mining equipment is towards the top of the trail and cool to see. Lots of sycamore and cottonwood trees, fairly lush area and nice for camping. Also, just across the road is El Oso/Reno Pass trails and 4peaks area. Lots of trails there as well...I had heard that Reno was closed recently so check on that.

Access is just up the 87, at about marker 222 if I remember correct, north/west side of highway. I recommend picking up Charles Wells book if you are new to the state, pretty good info on AZ 4wd trails and directions. Check local book stores for it.

FJ has a ton of places to camp and wheel. Lower elevation desert than Sunflower, more trail options however.

Crown King is another good area with plenty of great camping and wheeling but expect more traffic over the weekend, Tip Top is another good area - much less traffic but nearby Crown King and many other trails. Enjoy...

[desertdawg]

Jamie another great place would be Hackberry Creek just east of Superior on U.S. 60 Excellent camping oportunities at the Oak Flats campground or the trail itself away from everybody. I would prefer camping near the rock with the petroglyphs. Nice wide open area, great scenery and lots of area to explore. Check out some of my trip reports for Powerline Trail on the old site where you can access my webshots photo albums of some of the trips I have taken there. I'm sure your friends would love it. I would join you but if your going this weekend I'm on call and can't make it. Give me a call if you want directions and more info on some other camping spots there.

http://community.webshots.com/album/445396171YltGrT

Mike

[Dustpuppy]

Sunflower Mine trail is on the Tonto National Forest, call one of the local ranger districts to get info that is your best bet. #'s can be found on the site I listed above.

It is a nice area, some old mines/mining equipment is towards the top of the trail and cool to see. Lots of sycamore and cottonwood trees, fairly lush area and nice for camping.

Tirith and I did SunFlower Mine on President's Day (Feb 20). It is a very nice area and there are several campsites (I noticed fire rock-rings on several) that were already well cleared around.

Also, just across the road is El Oso/Reno Pass trails and 4peaks area. Lots of trails there as well...I had heard that Reno was closed recently so check on that.

Roger that. We had planned to follow SunFlower Mine with Reno Pass, but it was closed. We ended up playing in the OHV and Marina areas north of Saguaro Lake. (There are a couple of great hill climbs in that area.)

DustPuppy

PS. Email me if you want a more detailed GPS track than what Charles Wells gives in his book of SunFlower Mine.

Jamie469 I did this in my '99 XJ (4.5 lift, worn 30x9.5 meats) you should have no trouble - it has just enough to be fun.

[westy]

Check out Sunflower, its a real nice area. Also, as you near the end of the trail, if you look east towards Payson area you will see several trails off along the adjoining mountain, with some mine sites. I have never explored or know if these trails are accessible but it would be worth a look if you are camping the weekend out there. From looking at a map, I know at least one that heads deep into the Matazal Wilderness then ends...might be cool to check out.

[Nnote]

Montana mountain road.... Camp out at the top of the mountain with great views looking into southern arizona. It's the closest thing there is. The turnoff is at whitlow damn just past florence junction. At the railroad tracks.

[Jamie469]

Decisions Decisions...... I've been up to Montana Mountain, and I do like that alot, plus there is a great spot for camping at the top, I noticed last time I was up there.

Never been to Sunflower mine or Hackberry creek before. How close to PHX is Sunflower? It seems like about what we're looking for I think, but I'll show my visitor pics of both and see which one he would rather do. Does anyone have detailed directions on how to get to both Sunflower, and or Hackberry. (ie..mile markers, turn offs etc..) Unfortunately i don't have any GPS so that won't help me =)

??

I called Tonto NF and they said there were no fire restrictions in the Sunflower mine area right now, but that there were some road closures up there. Is there still going to be a loop that we can do, or will it be a 1 way in, 1 way out type of thing?

Thanks for all of the suggestions everyone!

[westy]

Sunflower is a loop, no backtracking.

Sunflower is at marker 222 I believe. Its less than an hours drive from Scottsdale area.

Hackberry is alittle further from Scottsdale area, turn off at Oak Flats. Hackberry has a couple different loops, and many trails, rated anywhere from ~3-4. A locker is a good idea on some of those trails. Unstack any rocks you move.

I recommend getting the Charles Wells book on AZ 4x4 trails if you are unfamiliar with many of the AZ trails.

[DAKOTA]

If your looking for some hills and a bunch of people to drink with try the coves at Saguaro Lake . Take 87 north to the Bush Highway turn off and take a left at Bucher Jones Beach rec. area . Don't pay just drive thru and look for a gate and follow all the tracks . There is always a party at cove 1 and buy cove 4 it's pretty quiet . Lots of trails and lots of hills .

[CaptainMorgan]

Sycamore Creek across from the Four Peaks turnoff on HWY 87 was a favorite of mine when I lived in Tempe. Theres water in the creek usually and a lot of good crawling once you get in there a ways, also nice deep water to drive through and some wet rocks to navigate. Its a lot of fun and theres good camping right before the trail starts. ASLO it is about 45 minutes from Tempe and the Coves is right down the road at Saguaro Lake.