FR 42 update

[macinyart]

I recently wrote a letter to Ranger Madrid of the Cave Creek District offering to utilize VJC members to rejuvenate FR 42. ( I was sure the membership would respond favorably should I be successful.) Here is a portion of her reply (paraphrased) Unfortunately, until the burn area has adequately recovered from the Bart Fire, I cannot allow access into the closure area. She says that rains together with the fragile nature of the soil is still causing a lot of erosion and soil movement. She was reasoned and pleasant. I wonder what criteria are used to determine when the area has recovered. How does one tell when "adequately" has been reached? Not critical here, just interested.
She also mentioned that there are some other areas and described them as "challenging" that are currently open, including FR 404 (Spare Tire Canyon) and FR413 (Camp Creek Wash). I don't think I have ever been in Spare Tire Canyon and the parts of Camp Creek Wash that I have driven are not challenging, but consist of gravel roads in the bottom of the wash. I have to get out more.
She thanked us for our interest in the area and willingness to volunteer for worthwhile projects and mentioned our participation in the Sheep Bridge cleanup. She also says that they have on-going projects and would welcome volunteers. "If you or the club is interested in volunteering for projects that benefit motorized recreation, please contact Mr. Kelly Jardine at 480-595-3300."
I know that FR 42 is an area dear to the hearts of many here in the club and that passions sometimes run high. I would urge you, in your responses to this post (should there be any), to avoid inflammatory statements. The only issue that I can see raised in her pleasant letter is the use of the word "adequately". I have not contacted her again in this regard and don't plan to until I can speak with her in person. I don't want to annoy her about this. I am interested to know the standards that are in use to determine when this might happen. For instance, I am not certain that the closure order would need to be lifted to allow a crew or crews to try to stabilize the erosion areas. Sandee can probably comment on this. Does nature have to repair the damage completely or can she be shown the way? In any event, Ranger Madrid left the door open for rehabilitation of FR 42 when recovery is adequate.

[Number 7]

Thanks for doing that research Jack. I often wonder if they're ever going to open that area or the one over by Bushnell Tanks. Is Spare Tire Canyon, FR 404 what we call Log Corral? I thought that was 404.

By 'challenging' it sounds to me like she is referring to soil erosion issues. If, indeed, 404 is Log Corral, there is some awful erosion going on. Not to sure about Camp Creek though. Also, Reno Pass which is accessed through Bushnell Tanks is known to be badly eroded in many places.

[lancetkenyon]

Log Corral is FR98.

[Number 7]

Log Corral is FR98.

Thanks Lance.

Does anybody know FR 404 - Spare Tire Canyon? Now I'm curious and I also wonder what she means by 'challenging'. Certainly she can't mean in difficulty if refering to Camp Creek?

:confused:

[Wzzl13]

Thanks for the update. You hit the nail on the head when ya said that trail is near and dear to our hearts. In fact, that was the first trail my wife took her first "solo" trail ride on. It was Jan. 2005 and she was basically in a stock XJ with 31in radials. I wasn't far behind in my "modified" '94 YJ. I remember runnin' this trail about 15 years ago, when I first "modified" my YJ.
I work for the Barry Goldwater airfield, and when the government closes a section for recovery, some of the biologists tell me it can take up to 10 yrs. for the "trail" to fully recover. It doesn't help that Border Patrol DOESN"T stay on "trails" while chasin' UDA's(undocumented aliens). I guess that's what happens when ya got THOUSANDS comin' across every week. Thats another sore subject!
My point.... Adequately might just be the politically correct way of tell US indeffinate. Which would be a tremendous loss to us all...:(

[GRUNT]

I know from wildland firefighting that when an area gets burned that the ground is baked and in some/quite a few parts the ground becomes a crust like grass. This in turns shed water off and that water takes any of the remaining loose soil with it. I do not know anything about wildlife/refuge recovery but it seems that you'd want to brake that up a little to reduce water shedding in certain directions... And wouldn't they want us or any help in setting up the hat barriers for runoff, to slow the soil displacement?

[RokNRich]

This is the problem once an area is "closed", for whatever reason. They (you know, those guys) can take their sweet time before reopening it. The best bet is to not let "them" close it in the first place.

(Oh yeah FR42, stock Rubicon, Memorial Day 2004, Yeehaw !!!)

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

I attended the land meeting at the cavecreek ranger station several months ago and it seemed that a plan was in place to get this going..which seemed that spring 2008 was not far fetched? Now this sounds like we are back to square one?

Ps. I first took my exploder there and nearly wrecked in on a curve, Had to drive back to Central phx driving 35mph..back in 99!!!! I only had it 2 days!

Jason

[FrenchChili]

I know Spare tire Canyon, I used to wheel there a lot and miss it:(, it's only accessible by FR42, or a boat since the trail dead ends at the lake. There are no OHV access to it right now.

I'll post a pic in a few minutes.

[FrenchChili]

http://i24.tinypic.com/qyx2yq.jpg


Although it does appear other trails go to FR404, FR404 is a mini canyon, just big drops from above trails, most likely caused from erosion.


Send me a pm if you want precise location.

[Number 7]

Although it does appear other trails go to FR404, FR404 is a mini canyon, just big drops from above trails, most likely caused from erosion.


Send me a pm if you want precise location.

Thanks Frenchie, that's a big help. We've probably been on it but didn't know it was called Spare Tire Canyon. That makes sense that it would be closed, and considered 'challenging' too, they're both right there . . .

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

Yeah to a stock jeep its challenging!!!! Maybe we can ford through the other side since the water is so low!!!! Its probally 6' deep right there!!! I have heard that H1's have!!!

Jason

[westy]

Trail 404 - Spare Tire Canyon is an offshoot of Camp Creek wash, just upstream from the Verde. Not difficult though.

However, there are some 3 and 4+ rated trails off of Camp Creek.

[jeeperinaz]

Here's an old video from spare tire canyon 2003.
http://youtube.com/watch?v=UE8tJz9w65E

That orange jeep is Kevin Carr before his rig was all beefy. what ever happened to him??

[SHNIPE]

some nice videos you got there except the ones with that ugly tj that Chris drives.

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

Man, those video's look OLD! Any updates on Fr-42????


Jason

[Number 7]

Man, those video's look OLD! Any updates on Fr-42????


Jason


Um, read the original post?

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

Um, read the original post?


uuuuuhhh ya........:p


Last I heard there was a kiosk needing to be built in Oct..never heard anything about it and spring 2008 a possible re-open of the area although Jacks email states otherwise.

Jason

[jeeperinaz]

Hey now.. I'm happy it runs finally.. I took a bath in the verde river and my connecting rods took off. Shot one right into the oil pan ;) lol
-
I was at a meeting with the AZOHVC group and Jeff Gursh was saying FR42 Is missing road in places. He says there are litterally 6 foot holes where there used to be a road. So its not just the fact that the bushes are charred off.

[lostoffroad]

if theres big holes then that means it'll be funner to wheel!

[Steve]

I wish they would reopen FR42. That was a fun trail. It is also close to home. With SpareTire Canyon as an offshoot it was that much more fun. That video of SpareTire brought back many memories. My green YJ on 32s Stock, Kevin's orange TJ, Kitt's black TJ, Brandon's green Yj, Chris's green TJ recently brought back to life, etc. Too bad there is no other access to FR404 (Spare Tire Canyon) other than FR42 that would be fun to run again and hang out by the river.:whistling:

[macinyart]

I am really glad to see the interest in this road. To me, this means that when it comes time to reopen it and provide warm bodies with shovels (rhetorically speaking) it will not be a problem for us.