Four Peaks Motherlode

[RickVincent]

Let the madness begin. Myself and a couple of buddies have decided its time to make an attempt at these great 4 peaks. I've read your triplogs, viewed your photos, and determined that its probably not a bad idea to find a Motherlode veteran, or two or three, to join us on our trek. Ability-wise for my group...Flatiron a piece of cake, 5057 via Carney and Superstition Ridgeline a muscle-pumping good time, Salt Trail Canyon in September heat with 40 pound packs our toughest challenge to date. We are ready to make a full day of it. Anyone else want to jump on board?

[Hippy]

this sounds like an amazingly grand time!...as long as it's not cold out! ;) too bad I've already used up my current vacation time...eh, we'll catch up with you next time. can't wait to read your triplog though!

[berkforbes]

When were you planning this for?
Are you going to go browns ---> amethyst and then loop around from below? I would suggest just doing the "dos veces" version of the motherlode instead, in fact i'd be down to join in on the madness in that case.. Its been a couple years since I tackled this beast..

[RickVincent]

Event date is Saturday, 06-02-2012. I haven't decided on the route. Kind of depends on who goes. Dos Veces version seems like a rather big step for a group of MotherLode first-timers, although going with someone who knows the route would probably help.

[Tough_Boots]

isn't June gonna be a bit hot for this one?

[BobP]

Salt Trail Canyon in September heat with 40 pound packs our toughest challenge to date.

Been there done that.....that was def a challenge physically and mentally. The second time I did it was so much better in Oct.

As for this one.....Dos veces is my favorite...then 1-4....not a big fan of 4-1

[RickVincent]

As for this one.....Dos veces is my favorite...then 1-4....not a big fan of 4-1

Hmmm. Now I'm curious about the difference.... 1-4 vs. 4-1.

[DarthStiller]

sn't June gonna be a bit hot for this one?

I second that concern. Yikes! :stretch:

[Dave1]

sn't June gonna be a bit hot for this one?

I second that concern. Yikes! :stretch:

At that elevation it might not be too bad. Bob, JJ3 and myself were up there last May 31st and I don't remember it being too hot

[BobP]

difference.... 1-4 vs. 4-1.

I like going up Browns ....going up 4 you have to wait longer before the fun stuff....

[RickVincent]

isn't June gonna be a bit hot for this one?

Will see what mother nature brings. I'm sure a decision to stop or go on will be made once on top of Browns. If too hot, then head back down and find a refreshing water hike to finish the day.

[chumley]

I just did this today. What? 95 in the valley? No problem with heat, but if it was 105, possibly a little too much.

Started an hour after sunrise and had no problem with sun until on top of amithyst. Peaks 3 and 2 had some hot sunny rocks but the breezes on top and going down the chute on browns were very refreshing which was very nice.

I hate hiking in heat though and I would say that of its gonna be over 100 in the valley that day I might think twice about it. Some are more tolerant of heat than me though. :yuck:

[RickVincent]

Might have to sneak one in a little earlier than June. Considering May 19 or 20.

[RickVincent]

Barring any extreme high heat conditions, plan is to stick with June 2. Climb Brown's peak, bag all 4 and return via Amethyst.

[DarthStiller]

Don't forget to take your Terrible Towel for photo ops on each peak

[RickVincent]

Any suggestions for drive route. Looks like a lot more dirt road coming from the valley...Not nearly as much on the approach from Roosevelt Lake. One route rougher than the other? 4wd required? I'm thinking of a 4:30 - 5am start time for the drive out or camp out at the trailhead the night before. Thoughts?

[Tough_Boots]

Four Peaks Rd. can be done just fine with high clearance and no 4wd but it is way rougher than coming up El Oso from Roosevelt Lake. El Oso is shorter, smoother, but much steeper (I overheated once taking it too fast). I always opt for the Roosevelt side even if we are driving something high clearance. Its less stressful and only increases your total drive time by like 20 minutes.

[outdoor_lover]

@Rick Vincent

If you are going from Lone Pine Saddle TH, the drive in from Roosevelt Lake, although farther initially on the highway, is much shorter and the road to the saddle, (about 15 miles) is excellent. From what I have seen on this site, the road in the other way is very long and can be pretty rough at times. I have always gone in from the Roosevelt side in a non 4x4 and it is absolutely no problem for most cars unless you have a low rider with 0 clearance....

[juliachaos]

The Four Peaks Rd route isn't bad in a Subaru, but if you're in something that handles like a truck, the ride is super bumpy. I'm typically able to go 20-30mph on that road in my Outback, w/ the usual slowdowns for washes and big rocks. was just there two weeks ago and there wasn't anything out there that needed 4wd.

[CannondaleKid]

I always take Four Peaks Road... ~19 miles in just over an hour to the TH from SR87

Yes, El Oso is in fact smoother but the economics just don't work for me.

From SR188 El Oso is about 10 miles to the Lone Pine TH. But by time you've driven the 50+ miles up SR87 (with steep hills in both directions) to SR188 then back south to El Oso Road you've added 40+ miles to the one-way trip. For either of my vehicles that means an extra $25 in gas for the trip.

As far as a vehicle, since '02 when I moved to AZ the only times I could not have made it all the way up Four Peaks road in a reasonable clearance 2WD car, it would have made no difference if I had 4WD at that time or not... the FS had closed the road due to snow/washouts/etc.