Snow On Four Peaks?

[rubicontrail]

I am guessing there is snow on Four Peaks (I can't see from here at the house because there is too much fog / rain between me and there).

I still have never ever been up there... is it tough to drive when it's snowy? Just curious.

[Antman]

Well you really can't get up there. The road goes across to the north of them. Four Peaks are about 7,687 feet or so high rock peaks.(Thanks Olney)
When I was a youth, a friend of mine and I, at about 8am, went in at Mesquite well, (north of Sugar Loaf/Four Pks turn off), doubling back to Four Peaks rd. in a 64 Chevy Impala with a case of Coors and a shovel. We ended up the next morning in Globe. It was a long day and night. Drink a beer and shovel to fill in a hole or wash out, drink a beer or use the high- lift jack. BTW, this is where I learned the ends and outs of high-lift jacks.:sifone:

[Number 7]

I see Four Peaks out my patio door. This morning they were coverd in snow.

[rubicontrail]

If the peaks go up above 9000ft, what elevation does the road go up to?

[Ramjet308]

Four Peaks has a good dusting of snow on them down to around 4000 feet. El Oro road would be a good scenic run right now.

I had a nice view of them from work off of Usery Pass road.

[Mike McCarville]

I've driven up Four Peaks road to the highest point the road goes to and there was plently of snow at that level.

[Markos]

I drove it several months back when it was still warm out. It's basically a rough road, with some tougher spots on the west side. After you get over the little front range, it's smooth as silk. I read up on it before the trip, and saw a lot of 'you can drive a car over it' comments. Personally, I'd never take one of my cars over the road (starting from west to east anyway). In fact, I was wishing that I brought my CO2 tank so I could air down a bit and soak up the bumps. Anyway, it's a straight forward drive when it's dry.

The west side has some drop offs that could up the pucker factor if it was slippery. I think it's too low for snow in that area though. I think it would be a fun snow drive, depending on the depth. There aren't a lot of vehicles up there if you get stuck though.

It's actually pretty flat after the first range:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2405/2104215123_e1a9a4cbed_o.jpg

This near the top looking due West, back at the first range:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2034/2104215017_923a5143bd_o.jpg

This is the route:
Google Map: Four Peaks Rd (http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d&hl=en&geocode=15093653980062754417,33.677211,-111.502991%3B14014979312006123162,33.730907,-111.345406%3B8386125144935864908,33.785996,-111.267815&saddr=NF-143+%4033.678040,+-111.502300&daddr=33.717486,-111.338196+to:El+Oso+Rd+%4033.786250,+-111.268090&mrcr=0,1&mrsp=1&sz=12&mra=dme&sll=33.715487,-111.373901&sspn=0.207329,0.31929&ie=UTF8&t=h&om=1&ll=33.715487,-111.373901&spn=0.414659,0.63858&z=11)

[OlneyJeeps]

tallest peak 7,657 feet (2,334 m)
not sure elevation at lone pine saddle... will check
pic: final accent, north most peak 1992
yes, that is looking almost straight up... no climbing gear
think crossing flooded wash is stuuuupid/skeery?

http://virtualjeepclub.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=16311&d=1197431607

[Polka Dot]

Tonto National Forest
2324 E. McDowell Rd.
Phoenix, AZ 85006

Desk: (602) 225-5200

Give em a call before heading out, when it gets bad up there they close it off.

[HvyHau8272]

I have been going up to the top of four peaks for years and have never seen them close it off. The highest "peak" is just under 8000 feet on aviation maps and not available to jeeps except to the parking lot. The parking lot is 18 miles up from the staging area and an easy drive without snow. If you go up with the snow up there I would take along some snow chains to make it all the way to the top. You can make it without but chains make it alot easier. Just before you get to the turn off for the parking lot there is a off camber tilted to the inside toward the mountain, that is where you see all the vehicles getting stuck as it is in the shade all the time and turns to ice after awhile. It's all fun though deffinatly this time of year with the snow up there and well worth the trip in the winter. TAKE ANOTHER JEEP OR TWO YOU THOUGH.

I'm bumming now that I saw snow up there today.... as I have a Company Christmas party this W/E to go to. If I can get out of it, I will be going up there on Sunday. Will post the trip if I do maybe it will give me a chance to meet some of you if we make a trip out of it.

[DAKOTA]

If go make sure your out before the road freezes , many of the steep parts don't have much to keep you on track . I have driven it with over 30 inches of snow before the Sheriffs helicopter turned us around but we sure had a blast but that was 2years agohttp://AR005502.

[Polka Dot]

I have been going up to the top of four peaks for years and have never seen them close it off.

I have driven it with over 30 inches of snow before the Sheriffs helicopter turned us around but we sure had a blast but that was 2years ago

It was closed for a few days last winter, we attempted to go for a drive up only to find the access road chained off with a sign saying the access road was closed due to "harsh winter conditions". So we ended up just playing in the mud on the side trails by the staging area.

It's more than possible that they just recently started doing this or are actually enforcing road closures in harsh weather due to past recovery efforts. As you know it's a heavily traveled road and has steep turns which would only be trickier with snow/ice.

There's no harm in calling the FS first and getting a trail update.

[HvyHau8272]

It was closed for a few days last winter, we attempted to go for a drive up only to find the access road chained off with a sign saying the access road was closed due to "harsh winter conditions". So we ended up just playing in the mud on the side trails by the staging area.

It's more than possible that they just recently started doing this or are actually enforcing road closures in harsh weather due to past recovery efforts. As you know it's a heavily traveled road and has steep turns which would only be trickier with snow/ice.

There's no harm in calling the FS first and getting a trail update.

Thank you for the update an yes your are right it would be good advise to call first. If they have recently started closing the road in bad weather it's not a bad idea to avoid rescues. It can get pretty slippery up there at times.

[YJ TG]

Traffic Jam. Have Fun!

[Cronoh]

Last March (or 2 marches ago?) When we had the big random snowstorm, and 4peaks was covered, I headed up there in my truck. Pulled two guys out and on the way back ran into forest services telling us the trail was closed and we could be fined. So yeah, they do close them now sometimes I guess :x... We didn't get fined though :)

[jeeperapril]

OK, question, I am going to Payson on Saturday, coming back Sunday, if there is still snow I was going to take Four Peaks (picking it up at Roosevelt lake) and driving it down to the Beeline and on home to Scottsdale. I did drive the whole thing a few months ago, I do not remember any of the road being bad really. Is there more than one way to go? Also, I lived in Big Bear Lake for 2 years, I had a 91 Jeep Laredo 4wd. I never had any trouble in the snow or Ice really and never used chains (had to weight it down in the back a bit), went up 60% hills and over frozen 4 feet snow berms no problem! I am in a 98 GC alltime 4wd, with good off road tires, the snow and ice in BBL is alot more than at 4 peaks, Chains? are ya sure? cause I don't have them. Anyways, not saying what I hear is incorrect, just don't think I would need chains. Then again, I don't have 31" tires, maybe that is why you need them? :)

[Cronoh]

That road can get rough and sketchy in the snow. I ran ti at night, and I was honestly nervous in a fullsize truck. Some of the roads there are thin with large dropoffs on one side. Any sliding could result in going over. My truck had 37" bfg muds on it, and still it got slick on some areas. If you are going, be careful. Bring warm clothes if you get stuck and have to stay the night ;)

[TJer]

I was up there last weekend and there was plenty of snow, while we were up there is started to snow alot more, it was pretty fun

[vtchopper]

its is snowing at my house!! we have 12 inches and counting... it is supposed to go all night
Jason
In Vermont

[joe002]

We headed up there on New Years Day, the day after we picked up our Jeep. The road was clear - the washes were low and only patchy ice on some spots of the road.


At the start with Four Peaks in the background...

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r96/joe002/Jeep/El%20Oso%20Road/ElOsoRoad5.jpg


Playing around a little…

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r96/joe002/Jeep/El%20Oso%20Road/ElOsoRoad2.jpg


Looking back at some snow…

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r96/joe002/Jeep/El%20Oso%20Road/ElOsoRoad6.jpg


Near the top looking back…

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r96/joe002/Jeep/El%20Oso%20Road/ElOsoRoad4.jpg


At the top…

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r96/joe002/Jeep/El%20Oso%20Road/ElOsoRoad7.jpg


Heading down looking at Roosevelt Lake.

http://i142.photobucket.com/albums/r96/joe002/Jeep/El%20Oso%20Road/ElOsoRoad3.jpg

[HvyHau8272]

Nice to see dirt on them tires. :)
Good looking Jeep, Congrats

[joe002]

Nice to see dirt on them tires. :)
Good looking Jeep, Congrats

Thanks - it sure looked too clean at the start of the trip!

[joshsteele99]

WTH Andrew? I pulled those guys out of the snow because YOU drove us into the ditch!! Can I get a little credit here? It was your truck though... :)

[wedge]

I went up there last spring when it snowed on my XR. actually just to the split where you head to the parking lot or down the other side. but some great views and stuff.

blue jeep that we kept leapfrogging with as we went up, crashed, got going again ect.

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z175/svsbiker/riding/l_e441b681bd1739d24afc5ee969ec5640.jpg

http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z175/svsbiker/riding/l_d5f35ca22f7ba1f50fd1ce658ba9f6c0.jpg

[Jdemonto@Airpark Jeep Sales]

Great Pics Joe, I also like the snow pics!

Jason

[jperez]

So my wife has never been to four peaks,
We decided to take our pseudo dogs (3 Shih tzu's) with us....
either way we had fun... there was still white stuff up there.... not much but some... and before we left there was some snow flurries starting to build up!
got some good pics

http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc263/johnperez55/new%20album/DSCN2367.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc263/johnperez55/new%20album/DSCN2368.jpg
kona enjoying the outdoors
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc263/johnperez55/new%20album/DSCN2371.jpg
sideways pic of my wife n dogs
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc263/johnperez55/new%20album/DSCN2373.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc263/johnperez55/new%20album/DSCN2375.jpg
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc263/johnperez55/new%20album/DSCN2378.jpg
the storm moving in
http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc263/johnperez55/new%20album/DSCN2385.jpg

[joe002]

jperez - I guess we just missed you. Looks like you had a good run too.

[jperez]

LOL yeah I got there about 1pm.. there was a VW Van ahead of us for the first 1/2 mile of the trip... My wife kept asking..... "uh this trail must really suck if those hippies can make it!" LOL!
there was a few people at the top w/ a fire goin and some guy collecting wood for "ART"
thats always a fun drive!

[romanella]

Anyone know anything about the mine up there?

[Hardboater]

made the run over four peaks late Sunday afternoon there was a little slushy snow left on the road once on the east side; the heavy dew on the folage was beautiful looking a bit like hoar frost from a distance; Airing down made the ride much more enjoyable; BTW going north on Gilbert Road out of Mesa I found the low bridge north bound lanes wash out; don't know if this was recent or not; Jake's Corner saloon was a hoot with live music and characters;

[OlneyJeeps]

Anyone know anything about the mine up there?

Reportedly the highest quality Amethyst in the world came out of the mine Mine was closed in 70's following large explosion... 2 stories: 1-hydrologist made bad guess how much dynomite to use 2-angry brother blew up; Claim was kept active but not really. Sources tell me :whistling: if you din't see KEEP OUT signs :whistling: you could pick up bits of amethyst below mine area
Sources tell me mine was recently reopened; TNF made them repair and drive out buldozer

I have not been to mine, I mean to "keep out" sign for over 7years

[romanella]

Reportedly the highest quality Amethyst in the world came out of the mine Mine was closed in 70's following large explosion... 2 stories: 1-hydrologist made bad guess how much dynomite to use 2-angry brother blew up; Claim was kept active but not really. Sources tell me :whistling: if you din't see KEEP OUT signs :whistling: you could pick up bits of amethyst below mine area
Sources tell me mine was recently reopened; TNF made them repair and drive out buldozer

I have not been to mine, I mean to "keep out" sign for over 7years


Ahh, just checking to see what you knew. :) The mine is definitely active, and a few times a year we haul amethyst rough out via helicopter. The stones are a beautiful rich purple with bits of a red flash... Top quality material. There are two miners working full time, so I'd advise you NOT to enter, otherwise you'll have some legal issues coming your way.

Our company runs the mine up there. It truly does produce world class amethyst.

[RubiDing]

Ahh, just checking to see what you knew. :) The mine is definitely active, and a few times a year we haul amethyst rough out via helicopter. The stones are a beautiful rich purple with bits of a red flash... Top quality material. There are two miners working full time, so I'd advise you NOT to enter, otherwise you'll have some legal issues coming your way.

Our company runs the mine up there. It truly does produce world class amethyst.

So are the miner's going to give a talk in Fountain Hills this year?

[romanella]

Of course! We do it every year. :) You should stop by!

[SOAZ]

made the run over four peaks late Sunday afternoon there was a little slushy snow left on the road once on the east side; the heavy dew on the folage was beautiful looking a bit like hoar frost from a distance; Airing down made the ride much more enjoyable; BTW going north on Gilbert Road out of Mesa I found the low bridge north bound lanes wash out; don't know if this was recent or not; Jake's Corner saloon was a hoot with live music and characters;

I did the Four Peaks Road up and over on Sunday too. Nice weather, but no snow unfortunately. Just a little slush from the last storm. I was surprised by how trashed the first few miles are. Check this out. Its not a jeep, but its still sad for someone.
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/1-6-08%204%20Peaks/1-6-084peaks010.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/1-6-08%204%20Peaks/1-6-084peaks007.jpg
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/1-6-08%204%20Peaks/1-6-084peaks018.jpg
white out!
http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i190/soaz/Trips%20and%20Adventures/1-6-08%204%20Peaks/1-6-084peaks021.jpg
I want to go and clean some of that lower area of four peaks up. I'm going to do it February 9th. If anyone else is interested just let me know. The more the merrier.