Hayfield Draw--Squaw Peak Road Closed???

[mlbelden]

Wing Rider, one of his buddies, my father-in-law, one of my buddies and I rode Hayfield Draw today. It was an awsome 55 mile ride. Our destination was squaw peak, but we never made it. Here is the story. My father in law had a rough day. He bent a rim on the inside bead, hammered back in with a rock half a can of fix a flat and we were on our way. The road block came when my father in law rolled his sportsman 500 8 miles from squaw peak. He did not get hurt, bruised hip and EGO!!!

Here is what stopped us 8 miles from squaw peak we were turning onto I believe 727 or 737. It is just before you make a left down to a house and C&S Ranch. The landowner pulled up as my father in law was recuperating the landowner pulled up and told us we could not go any further because this is private property. He also said the forest service is moving the road around his ranch. Seems fishy to me. Anybody know anything about this?? Who do we call to see if this guy is lying or telling the truth.

Sorry for the long post

matt

polaris sportsman 700
polaris sportsman 500

[Wing Rider]

Other than the roll-over and flat front tire this was a great ride today!!! Oh and don't forget the rock that got between my rear brake rotor and skid plate. That made a noise I won't soon forget.

Anyway, this road closed private property thing! FR732 is the road that leads to Squaw Peak. This is the road that was told to us was "private property". Hmmm, seems we just had a goup ride to Squaw Peak with 23 participants (quads and bikes) and we never heard a word. We took the exact same route today. We popped out from 9306J (I think that is the two-track number) onto FR732 and headed toward the top. Then the roll-over! Ugh! Then comes this huge fork lift front loader thing and the guys tells us "Private Property!! go away!!".

I think his intention may have been to actually block our path with this front loader (or he needs to get out and get another more economical vehicle).

If anyone does have any info on this, please tell. Seems like a fur-ball waiting to happen and we don't need to upset anyone. But we do need to have the right info.

Thanks for the help/info.

Joe & Amy
Honda 4x4 Red Rancher (Amy's)
Honda Red Rincon (Joe's)

ps. Bob, hope your feeling OK real soon!!!

[El Gato]

It is against the law for any landowner to deny access to public land unless there is an alternate access route. That is how it was explained to me years ago. I'm sure the part where he stopped you is private land but he surely doesn't own Squaw Peak. I understand his frustration being a land owner myself, but he had no right to turn you around. Of course with out all the "official" info and knowledge of the laws I am just speculating. It does sound very fishy though. Call the forest service for info. If in fact they are working with him build a road around his property they will have all the goods on this guy.

Bens Cycle Works, Motoworks Suspension, Goat Eyewear, Cycle Gear, FMF-909, Works Connection, IMS Racing, N-Style Graphics, AFAM, White Brothers, Pops Racing, Cycles West.

[Rapp Dude]

As one of the riders that help explore options with the original Verde Valley ride, we did come across one section that was private property not far from the original route we all took on that ride. This route was obviously ditched for that reason.

Just a thought