Four Peaks

Since the higher elevations have been hit with some heavy snow fall, we wanted to experience some of the white stuff to stay with the Christmas spirit. So we thought we'd explore the Four Peaks Wilderness area of Tonto National Forest. Now our home on the Valley floor in Phoenix is at around 1,200 ft above sea level. The elevation that we drove up to today was 6,500 ft to experience some snow. To get there, we drove about 40 miles on the highway and then exited onto a dirt road. Then we drove 18 miles into the wilderness via the dirt road to reach the top.

The journey was pretty exciting. The trail by no means was extremely technical but it there were a few spots that I was glad to have a capable truck. A Subaru Forester was ahead of us which gives some indication to vehicle require to make it up the trail (however they were at their car's limits of off-road ability.) There were some wash crossing with up to a foot of water to ford and some rocky sections. This is the extent that I enjoy off-roading without being concerned about tearing apart the underside of the truck or getting stuck while still having to go slow and making it over obstacles.

Up toward the top, it was steep at some spots with snow and ice covering the road so while a two wheel drive high clearance vehicle could have made it with some skill, a 4x4 made it quick work. So after 1.5 hours of trail driving, we were up in the snow at 6,500 ft!

Ice and snow covered the roads towards the top

Here you can see the road snaking through the high desert

This view is looking East towards Roosevelt Lake.

Lots of snow up toward the peaks, almost 8,000 ft.

The parting shot looking back to the peaks as we drive home through the desert.