MESA 4 WHEELERS HORN NEWSLETTER

June 20 1 7 Mesa 4 Wheelers, PO Box 107, Mesa AZ 85201 http://mesa4wheelers.com

MESA 4 WHEELERS STAFF President Kurt Loga 602 - 448 - 4798 Vice President Dave Brown 480 - 288 - 2866 Secretary Pat Jenkins 480 - 834 - 05 17 REMEMBER WHEN? 30 years ag o? Treasurer Ray Jenkins 480 - 834 - 0517 Mesa 4 Wheelers 30 Years Ago Corres. Sec retary Hazel Hart 480 - 994 - 1260 Membership Lori Moore 602 - 647 - 1685 June 6, 1987 Editor M ike Drawsky 480 - 502 - 95 07 Rememb rance Gert Leible 623 - 869 - 8434 W h ispering Horse Canyon Steak Fry Trophies Clete Hruska 602 - 568 - 1140 Safety Chairman John Hart 480 - 994 - 1260 As we were proceeding up the Apache Trail, we passed Bill Publicity OPEN and Amy Mihailov and heard some talking on the CB radio, so I decided to stop and give them a small history lesson. As they Next Meeting all stopped at Weaver’s Needle Vista I gave them a litt le June 16 , 201 7 knowledge of the area such as, Hi Jolly, Old Lady Lewis, and Third Friday of every month, 7:0 0 PM. the Legend of Superstition, etc. Bass Pro 1133 North Dobson, Mesa, AZ 85201 We then proceeded 1/2 mile up the road when Dr. Deek lost all (602) 606 - 5600 power. Believe me, at my age I know what that is like. Ray Jenkins hooked onto him and pulled him up to the pull out up PRESIDENT'S CORNER the hill. After a little investigation , we found a broken wire on his coil that was easily repaired. We drove up the Trail to the I only have 2 Saturday s left to attend the Program top of Fish Creek Hill. There we all gathered. Dr. Deek went Management Professional Certification Study Group and then I down the hill to see if there were really fish in the creek. can attend the M4W Club Runs again. I sold my Bronco Memorial Day Weekend and if the run is not easy enough to At pull out time , we headed into the Canyon. I showed them the take my 4X4 Tahoe I may be looking for an empty seat with storage pod where the Indians usually stored their food stuffs. one of the Club Members to ride in. My Bronco served me well We have storage pods at our homes now - a - days, but they for 25 years and it always got me home. usually have Jeep parts and camping gear stored in them. We then proceeded on past Whisp ering Horse Canyon and past I am still looking for a Project Mana ger/Engineer job and if I get the old Ranch House and corrals and past a small cliff dwelling. one soon I found a replacement for the Bronco that has Due to the heat and the bugs I decided not to stop at that time everything I wanted to do to the Bronco. I want to thank Glenn and proceeded to the end of the trail, the Wilderness Boundary McConnell who tried to get me into First Solar but they hired of the Superstitions. Actually , we were on the lower side of the someone with more Operations and Maintenance experience. Lewis Ranch.

Since Dave Brown is out of town for the summer we did decide We started our grills and had a small Happy Hour. Then we at the last Club Meeting that the 2018 Fun Days is tentatively enjoyed a hardy meal of everybody’s choosing. After some 13 - 15 April because the Moab Easter Jeep Safari is the end of tantalizing des s erts, we loaded up and headed back toward March, 24 - Mar through 1 - April 2018. I need Dave to conf irm town, down the famous Apache Trail.

the dates. Walter and Gert are already volunteering to do the Thanks to all, we all had wonderful time. f ood. I am looking for volunteers for Fun Days until Dave gets Willard and Linda Kodatt back in town. Lucky Bronco (Maybe Whispering Horse)

Edited by Ray Jenkins

Kurt Loga

storms. Some sections will have roads that should n ot be

CLUB TRIP REPORTS traveled during wet or muddy times and should be temporarily Creek & Miner Bob avoided. The trail will benefit rural towns and settlements Trip Leader : Mike Drawsky economically. The EWT allows users to experience Date: May 28 th & June 3 th from the inside out with extreme sightseeing. We will continue Members in attendance: Clete & Randi Hruska, Ray & Pat to fin e tune and reroute some trails this year for a more quality Jenkins and Mic & Jamie Radford and challenging experience. Plan on spending eight to ten Guests in attendance: Gary & Brian Keller, Jim Hopper, days to do the approximately 400 miles from border to border Dave Rupal & Manny Collins. with 4WD Jeep type vehicles. We are experimenting with a logo designed for the East – West Trail concept in 1990. The Gary Keller and his son Brian, the main driving force behind the EWT will have one main route called the “MAIN ROUTE” or creation of Arizona’s portion of the Great Western Trail ha ve loops, bypasses and points of interest using the same logo also been working on an East – West Trail across Arizona, from design. See attached. No formal map exists at this time but is New Mexico to Nevada. Comp lementing the main trail will be considered this year with the he lp of Arizona State Parks and alternate routes for those interested in historical sites, Trails. memorials, points of interest or more technical driving. 5/10/2017 After G ary read about our club’s January Turkey Creek run, he was interested in possibly adding this trail as an alternate Gary Keller techni cal route and ask ed T urkey Creek trip leader, Mike 480 - 854 - 3400 Drawsky if he w ould show them the trail . Fax: 480 - 832 - 6390 [email protected] Starting f rom the south end there are 2 routes into T urkey www.rockar tsigns.com Creek, one through Black Canyon and the other that follows "PRODUCTS THAT IDENTIFY " the canyon from above. In order to show Gary both options, runs were scheduled on two consecutive weekends.

Here is Gary’s East - West Trail presentation:

ARIZONA EAST - WEST TRAIL The East – West Trail starts or ends at Luna Lake campground east of Alpine, Arizona depending on which direction you want to go. It heads south from Luna Lake down the Blue River and dips into New Mexi co for about a mile and back to Arizona. W ildl ife like deer, elk and the Mexican gray w olf is abundant in the area. The route crosses the center of the state through t owns like Alpine, Pinetop, Show L ow, Forest Lakes, Young, Punkin Center, Fountain Hills, Carefree, Black Canyon City, Bumble Bee, Clea ter, Crown King, Wickenburg, Yarnell, Stanton, Hillside, Bagdad, Wickieup, Kingman, Oatman, Bullhead City and starts or ends at Avi Casino in the southern tip of Nevada along the . It has numerous loops, alternates, bypasses, mining camps, h istorical cabins, First weekend, Mike lead the group through Black Canyon, relics, points of interest and one memorial. From Avi Casino along Black Canyon Creek. About 8 months out of the year you can hop on the Mojave Military Trail and follow it all the there is water flowing through this canyon. On May 28 th , both way to Barstow, . Black Canyon and Turkey Creek were completely dry.

The East – West Trail will have four segments or five if you count the Mojave T rail. The segments can be traveled all at one time or one segment at a time. It will have 4WD sections, slow dirt roads, fast dirt roads and where there are no backcountry trails exist we will use limited paved highway travel. The EWT crosses three nati onal forests, BLM administered lands , Arizona State Trust Lands, Agu a Fria National Monument, very little private, shares some of the Great Western Trail and the General Crook Trail. The scenery ranges from high altitude pine forests to low desert washes and back to high pine covered mountains. Travel is recommended for three to five vehicle caravans for safety. It will be necessary to trail camp in some sections and lodging, gas and food can be used in others.

The best time to travel the entire rout e will be in the spring or fall. The lower sections may be too hot in the summer and the high sections too deep in snow in the winter. Many sections The first obstacle you encounter coming from the south end is are prone to flash flooding during monsoon or spring this narrow rock outcropping alongside Black Canyon Creek. Turkey Creek & Miner Bob (Continued)

Brian was the last in line to take on the squeeze. Gary nearing the end of the squeeze rock outcropping.

Right after tackling the squeeze, comes this 4ft drop off into Right after Gary, came Dave’s turn to thread the needle! Black Canyon Creek. When the creek is flowing, this spot is one of the deepest, on average about 18” deep. It is also on e of the most challenging when you are trying to drive it while the creek is flowing!

Following Dave, it was Mic & Jamie’s turn.

Dave had to get down on his knees in order to look through this window opening . Maybe it was de signed t o see out of while in a sitting position?

It s ure would be nice to know how long th is rock house has been standing…

Turkey Creek & Miner Bob (Continued) had been mining this claim for the past 23 years and that his full name was Bob Reaves.

Mike gathered the group together around the fireplace hearth Bob purchased this 40 acre parcel, with cabin and mine in the for another memorable group p hoto! early 90’s. The cabin was built in 1862 and the only work he had to do before moving in was replace the ro of.

This was another spot along Black Canyon Creek that required your full attention!

Bob pointed up to the e ncased Pondarosa Pine, the roof ’ s While preparing to run Turkey Creek for the first time, back in original main structural member. T he cabin has been placed on the late 90’s, I read that there was an active claim along Turkey the national registered of historic places. Creek and that the miner did not like outside visito rs, so I played it safe and kept my distance whenever I drove by. The miners name was not mentioned. Th en this year I came across a rec ent write up from another club that said this miner was very friendly and that he went by the name of Miner Bob. During this run with Gary, his gate was open and he was standing outside his cabin. While the rest waited by the gate, I drove up and introduced myself. Bob was very outgoing and gave me permission to invite the rest over . H e told us that he

Turkey Creek & Miner Bob (Continued)

Bob and Gary soon found out they kne w a number of th e same Mike posed between two rare Crested Saguaro s . One is hard people. Bob worked for BLM for 4 years and Gary’s business to find, let alone two so close together! involves working closely with Land Management agencies.

The following weekend we m et up with Bob at his home in Bob loves read ing about the history of the area. He shared with Bumble Bee. us the names of the first men to set foot in the Br adshaw s in search of gold, the battles that took place between them and the native tribes , and who were the first families to settle the Bradshaw s . He also shared with us his different methods he uses for extracting gold form the creek. After about an hour of friendly conversation, Mike had the group line up in front of his cabin for one last photo before moving on.

Years ago, Bob converted this school bus into living quarters.

About a mile north of Bob Reave’s claim is the Howard Silver Mine, that at one time was one of the larger m ining operations along Black Canyo n Creek.

Turkey Creek & Miner Bob (Continued)

Less than an hour after visiting with Bob we were in sight of his cabin , on the north end of Black Canyon. Last Sunday, Bob had to use his backhoe to drive back to his place in Bumble Bee, because the transmission in his Chevy Blazer was low on fluid and slipping. His original plan for this weekend, was to return to his claim , top off the Blazer transmission then share his mining and local history knowledg e with those in our group, who were not with us the previous weekend. The plan fell through when the sidewall on his rear backhoe tire was punctured by a sharp rock on his drive back to Bumble Bee. Fortunately, the tire held air long enough for him to make it to

Bob did all the remodeling to the inside of his school bus Bumble Bee. himself.

At noontime, about the half way point, along a dry Turkey Creek, we stopped for lunch under a heavy growth of While Gary, Ray & Pat and I drove the go - around route around Cottonwood trees that provided plenty of shade for all. Black Canyon, Clete & Randi, Brian, Jim and Manny followed the more challenging route along Black Canyon Creek.

The day’s temperature was in the mid 80’s with a constant cool Photo was taken from the go - around route, above, looking breeze. It was another one of those times when you wished down on that same rock house. you could enjoy the location as overnight accommodations! Turkey Creek & Miner Bob (Continued)

Out back is “The Yacht Club”, a collection of old run - a - bout

A t this spot, back i n January, Turkey Creek was flowing at boats, a pontoon boat and surfboards that have been made above average levels, and we had to rescue two side by side into tables and sitting areas. It is quite tastefully done up and UTV’s that had become swamped in the middle of the creek. provides a comfortable place to relax and enjoy a cold one!

At around 3:00 PM, we had arrive d in Cleator. The old store is Our drive back to I - 17, takes us back through Bumble Bee. now a mini museum and the Cleator Bar is busier than ever! Here we made a stop at the old store and gas station. Bob was there t o give us a tour inside and to share with us the history of Bumble Bee. The store has been kept in very good condition and is now used as the towns rec hall and gathering place , with a pool table, workout machines and full - length bar table. Bob is its care taker.

In the back room of the bar there was band playing country music along with a steady number of spectators.

To top off a near perfect day, some of us gathered together at the Rock Springs Café for dinner. We thought about taking advantage of their delicious pies, but the generous dinner portions left us with no room for dessert! Turkey Creek & Miner B ob (Continued) of houses. The mining boom was short lived, however, and Stalker Village was abandoned after the Ord Mine and mill shut down in 1932. In subsequent years, the mine reopened several times, and a new mill was constructed closer to Slate Creek. Local character Travis Walton (think "Fire In The Sky") was said to have lived in Stalker Village, some time before new highway construction destroyed it in the 1970's. Nothing remains of Stalker Village, but the Ord Mine and the foundations of its first m ill can be seen along this route. In 1933, during the height of the Great Depression, the Civilian Conservation Corps, or "C.C.C.", established Sunflower Camp F - 25 - A at Cane Spring, just north of the Ord Mine. In addition to constructing the Bush Highway ( precursor to highway 87) through the Mazatzal Mountains, they also constructed the "Mount Ord Truck Trail" to the summit of Mount Ord, which this hike follows in its entirety. During 1936 and 1937, the Civilian Conservation Corps extended the Ord Mine road from the mill

After a full day on the trail, Pat, Ray, Gary, Brian and Mike top site above the mine, to Mount Ord's summit, where they it off with dinner at the Rock Springs Café. erected a steel fire tower and a cabin for the U.S. Forest Service. The fire tower was replaced in 1983, but the original cabin remains. The original fire tower is now on display at the Mount Ord Rim Country Museum in Payson. The "Mount Ord Truck Trail" Trip Leader s : Mike & Sue Spahle was partially bypassed in the 1970's by the new Mount Ord th Date: June 10 road, Forest Road 626. The deteriorating "Mount Ord Truck

M embers attending today’s Mount Ord Run: Walter Leible, Trail", now known as Forest Road 27, is the ideal route to the John Hart and Mike Drawsky. top of Mount Ord. Guests in attendance : Jim Hopper, Kellie & Andy Willis, Dave Rupal, Robert, Zach & RJ Gray and Adelaide D’Ipprlito.

9 vehicles (including one rock crawler and a Ford SUV) met at the Slate Creek trailhead; a good mix of members and guests; experienced and beginning drivers; the young and the ‘mature”.

Following a brief driver’s meeting, all headed onto the old mine road (FR27), beginning at Slate Creek, which almost immediately offered up some fun and attention demanding “tippy” spots, mostly at drainages and near the stunningly beautiful purple/gray s late outcroppings.

Looking west up Slate Creek and Bush Highway, circa 1970: second Or d Mill to the left and soon to be demolished Stalker Village at right . Near the mill is where we began our run .

A BIT OF HISTORY: At the bottom of Slate Creek, in early 1925, prospectors Wesley Goswick, Jess Henderson, and Bill Packard located a rich cinn abar (mercury) deposit. Their claims were purchased and became the Ord Mine. The Arizona Quicksilver Corporation developed the property in 1926, and constructed an ore processing mill with a rotary furnace, on top of a small hill, directly above the Ord Mi ne. The company blazed a wagon road up Slate Creek to the site, where they also constructed a small town that came to be known as Stalker Village (a.k.a. Goswick Camp). Stalker Village Looking back down on the original Ord Mine Road (FR27) and contained a warehouse, office, boarding house, and a number the Beeline , from where we started . Mount Ord (Continued)

Large outcroppings of purple/gra y slate come into view as we Jim k new today’s run was easy, but decided the cool mountain mad e way up Mount Ord Road. breezes, scenery and company were worth coming out !

At around the 5000 ft. elevation, FR27 becomes lined with pine Looking southwest at Slate Creek and the Beeline. and alligator j uniper trees.

Looking northeast down at the Beeline and the Mogollon Rim Three quarters of the way to the top (a round 6000ft. in off in the far distance. elevation), we ca me to the intersection of the old & new Mount Ord Road (FR27 & FR626), where we stopped to stretch our legs and take in the cool breeze .

Mount Ord (Continued)

Trip leader’s Mike & Sue, followed by Dave Rupal and Robert Gray.

All made it to the intersection with FR 626 with only a couple rubs or “touches” on the undercarriage or body (but no damage repor ted!).

Behind Mike , Mount Ord’s 102’ tall fire lookout tower, one of the tallest in the state. The former 60’ tower, built in 1936, was replaced by this one in 1983 and is on display at the Payson Museum.

We took our first break and saw an interesting, heart shaped memorial attached to a tree. (Chuck Howard 1958 - 2012)

From the top of the tower you can barely make out those in our gro up who decided to keep their feet planted on the ground!

Following sufficient time for the “10 - 100”, all drove the remaining few miles to the Fire tower gate (closed) where the rides were parked and all hiked up to the tower (some of us wondering where all the oxygen went!).

Dave, Jim, Andy & his son and Mike w ent up to the top of the tower to me e t with the fire watchman himself.

Mount Ord (Continued)

Jim, Mike & Dave on top the fire lookout tower. Following the obligatory group picture (sans Drawsky) lunch was back at the vehicles which spurred everyone downhill.

Jim & Dave po se d with the fire watchman on top the tower.

Fortunately, the walk from the fire lookout tower ba ck to our vehicles was all down hill!

Lunch was enjoyed and stories were told (some of them even had an element of truth!).

Making our way back down to the ground. Mount Ord (Continued) When: April 13 - 15 Location: Gravel Pit, off Cottonwood Canyon Road (More Details to Follow)

Public Can Share Thoughts on Forest Plan Revision During Upcoming June Meetings Release Date: Jun 8, 2017 PHOENIX, June 8, 2017 — For Immediate Release. Tonto National Forest officials plan to host 8 Forest Plan Revision public meetings in June to discuss develo pment of and ideas for revising the Forest Plan and the wilderness recommendation process . Meeting dates, times and locations are: Tuesday, June 13, 2017, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m . Tonto Basin Visitor Center , 28079 Highway 188, Roosevelt, Some aired up before heading down rather than suffer the heat Arizona at the intersectio n of the highway (94 when I got there). Wednesday, June 14, 2017, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Thanks to all who joined us and we look forward to wheeling Superior Junior/Senior High School , 100 Mary Drive, Superior, with you again in the future. Ariz ona Thursday, June 15, 2017, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Mike and Sue Spahle Cave Creek Museum , 6140 East Skyline Drive, Cave Creek, Arizona Friday, June 16, 2017, from 9 a.m. - noon M4W’s "Its Fun Until It Breaks" AWARD 24th Street Conference Center , 1841 North 24th Street, #10, Phoenix, Arizona Monday, June 19, 201 7, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Porter Elementary School , 1350 South Lindsay Road, Mesa, Arizona Tuesday, June 20, 2017, from 5 - 7 p.m. Pleasant Valley Community Center , Highway 288, Young, Arizona Wedne sday, June 21, 2017, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Julia Randall Elementary , 600 South Green Valley Parkway, Payson, Arizona Thursday, June 22, 2017, from 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. Cobre Valley Center for the Arts , 101 North Broad Street, Globe, Arizona

The agenda will include overviews by the Forest Service on the plan revision process and emerging issues, along with an introduction to the Wilderness Recommendation Process. Attendees will be able to view background materials and indicate preferred topics for small group discussions. Those with additional questions can contact the Tonto National Red Creek , April 29 th run , Mike’s Jeep windshield gets attacked Forest via e - mail at: [email protected] . buy a tree branch!

Another great custom award made by Clete! MEMBER ITEMS FOR SALE: FUTURE TRIPS & EVENTS From Mic Radford Stock Jeep gears/yokes/diff covers: These were removed from Minnehaha to Crown King my jeep when I changed ratios. They ha ve only 20k miles Trip Leader: Mike Drawsky use. They are flawless and never off road..Dana 30/Dana 44 Contact : 480 - 502 - 9507 rear. Fits 2009 - 2016 Jeep JK - Jku. asking $100 per set. When: June 24 Meet: 7 am @ Denny's Restaurant, Carefree CLUB ITEMS FOR SALE Pullout: 8:00 M4W Flag $15.00 Trail Rating: 3 M4W Vehicle Plate $25.00 M4W 5” & 7” Logos $2.00 51 ST Annual Fun Days M4W Banners $5.00 Event Organizer : Dave Brown State Decals $2.00 Contact : 480 - 288 - 2866 M4W Arm Patches $0.50 United Decals $1.00

REFRESHMENTS June Ray & Pat Jenkins Tim Warren

July John & Hazel Hart Jan Northcutt

BIRTHDAYS

June 6/15 Martin Bode 6/18 Linda Drawsky

Ju ly 7/2 Harold Liberman 7/5 Debra Wallace

7/19 Rory Moore

CLUB ANNIVERSARIES Rob, Suzy & Adeline Hayton 6/15 Mike & Linda Dunn 6/16 Tim & Daniela Warren 6/16

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