Four Peaks Mother Lode

rdavisiii · Post by **rdavisiii** » Sep 19 2008 12:22 pm

I am heading up to Four peaks this weekend and am at least going Browns, and Peak 2. I have not seen alot of details in regards to Peak 3 and 4 other then it is a 500 foot drop between 2 and 3. What have been peoples experiences hiking all four in a day? Any advice?

Thanks
Ron

JoelHazelton · Post by **JoelHazelton** » Sep 19 2008 1:09 pm

http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=631&EXT=T

^^^Read all of those.

Davis2001r6 · Post by **Davis2001r6** » Sep 19 2008 3:59 pm

I would start hiking up the trail to Brown Peak a little before sunrise. Plan on taking ALL day. Between 2 and 3 is the most difficult. Going Browns to 2 is not too bad, but to come back down two is a real PITA, there is a wall you climb to get up to 2, it is a wall most I've met do not want to downclimb. Just to get to the "saddle" between and 2&3 will take a long time and is a nasty bushwack. Well most of the hike is a bushwack. I would wear pants, shoes with great traction, a trecking pole was more of a hassle than anything. Plan on a lot of class 3 scrambling with a dozen class 4 spots, most would kill you with a fall. Plan on more water than you would possibly think. I know I brought 220oz one time and ran out.

Good luck and stay safe,

-TIM-

joebartels · Post by **joebartels** » Sep 19 2008 7:40 pm

Aside from the somewhat technical aspect, it's a very tiring adventure that really works your upper body. Water consumption is beyond belief. No need to hype this one up, practically every trip logged is lengthy (see Joel's post above). If you don't know your fear factor limit this baby might present it in grand fashion.

CannondaleKid · Post by **CannondaleKid** » Sep 20 2008 5:05 pm

I'm curious as to the road condition.

I attempted to climb Brown's Peak Sunday of Labor Day weekend but after driving through three running washes I finally hit a section where the road was too far gone so I had to abort. (I took the Four Peaks road from 87)

Not expecting the Forest Service to run out there right away with a road building equipment I figured I'd give it a few weeks.

If anyone has an update on it in time and it's ok, I'd head out there first thing tomorrow.

Thanks!
Mark

mttgilbert · Post by **mttgilbert** » Sep 21 2008 6:05 am

Normally the El Oso road from 188 (just south of Punkin Center) is in better condition than the west side. El Oso is shorter (unpaved) but the overall distance is longer while the driving time remains about the same.

nonot · Post by **nonot** » Sep 21 2008 3:36 pm

FR143?? from 87 to the TH is for high clearance only, I think part of the road is a rocky creekbed or something! Follow Matt's advice, go in El Oso, it will take about the same amount of time.

The Mother Lode is probably the only hike on this site I am a bit nervous to attempt, seems like half the trip reports for the thing encountered some really bad predicaments. The exposure from the photos is unreal.

Sleep at the trailhead, start extra early, bring extra water, tell a loved one your schedule.

Davis2001r6 · Post by **Davis2001r6** » Sep 21 2008 4:51 pm

I've made it in a car down FR143 3 times, were talking a Honda Accord and a VW Golf not high clearance by any means. Once I got my new civic I said I wouldn't drive down that road again, so far I haven't.

Still waiting to see how his trip went this weekend. I get nervous any weekend I know someone is trying the motherlode.

Four Peaks Mother Lode

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