Four Peaks Trail #160

The Jay Grisham Memorial Hike

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Four Peaks Trail

Total distance (One Way) : 6.08 mi..

Lowest elevation:  5,403 ft.                            Highest elevation:  5,922 ft.

On Sunday, June 10, 2007 hikes a portion of the Four Peaks Trail (Trail 160) in the Four Peaks Wilderness Area.  The entire trail is 24 miles in length and goes to an elevation low of about 2,000 ft.  Due to the heat and the difficulty of the trail we opted to do just a portion and then return to the Trail Head.  This trail is a difficult trail to start with and as we proceeded further out, it became less and less maintained.  It did prove that as the years passed since the fire in the area, re-growth has occurred.

As we begin	Re-growth

This hike actually started at the Dreamy Draw parking lot, as did the last Four Peaks Hike, therefore the driving directions are the same, (Four Peaks Driving)  Once we arrived, everything changed.  We departed the Trail Head right around 9:00 am.  The weather was already getting warm but still cool enough to make the hike.  Instead of proceeding straight up the trail, we took the rout to the left which was identified as "Four Peaks Trail #160",  The trail started out in good repair but as we proceeded got worse.  Before we got to Snake Spring we already had to climb over a fallen tree that ran across the trail.  Shortly after we came upon a section of trail that was extremely steep.  To make it worse the trail surface was decomposed granite and very slippery.  We were hoping that that section of trail, about 1/2 mile would improve before we had to come back up.  Our hopes were later bashed.  As we continued on the area became more lush with good older, and newer vegetation.  The trail was starting to become more over grown.  We continually had to keep pushing branches aside to get through.

Ira taking off his gloves	Bill at the first break
Julia and Amir resting	Traci and Tom at the break
Tom enjoying the shade	We can see forever

 As we continued on we passed a number of trails which went off to the east, and one trail which went west.  The trails were well marked and the one that went up was the Amethyst Trail.  One that we had been on before.  We stayed on the Four Peaks Trail and it became more over grown in most areas.  There were more fallen trees to climb over and some areas of the trail were almost missing.  As we continued up the flanks of the mountain the slope became steeper and although we were going across the slope, one slip could prove dangerous.  Around noon we moved into a ravine.  At the bottom there was a fork in the trail.  The Four Peaks Trail continued to the South East and a new trail, the Alder Saddle Trail went East.  We started up the Alder Saddle Trail and within 200 yards the trail became impassable.  We went back to the fork in the trail and decided that it would be a good place to find shade and eat lunch.  While  we were eating another couple came along and due to the temperature, and them not having a map or knowing the length of the trail were easily persuaded to return.  After a short break, we headed back to the Trail Head.  The hike back seemed longer due to us being tired and the heat.  I had a real problem with the steepest part and had to stop and hydrate about every 50 yards.  I did make it and as the slope lessened I was all right.  The other problem that we had was running out of water.  We did have enough but water became critical.  Upon arrival at the Trailhead, we got into the vehicles where we had water and drank up.

Yes Ira, The numbers are small	Just follow Traci
Another stop.	A gentle rise
This is more typical	Our turnaround

I would consider this trail a moderate to extremely difficult trail which should be hiked in cooler weather.  If a hiker desired to hike the entire trail I would recommend an overnight hike, camping along the way.

Hikers

Jay Grisham was hiking alongside us in our hearts and memories.

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Larry Wayt (gnhikn@cox.net)