Four Peaks Wilderness Backroad Route

One unpaved road trip worth taking is the Four Peaks Road which traverses the desert floor and foothills of the Four Peaks Wilderness. The route winds up switchbacks through various climate zones. The vegetation changes as the road ascends. At the top the ecosystem supports Ponderosa Pine, though a substantial portion suffered burns from the Lone Fire. Water is scarce so be sure to bring plenty.

Views from the top of the mountain are spectacular no matter which direction you look. To the south is the famous Superstition Wilderness. To the East is Roosevelt Lake and the Sierra Ancha Wilderness. North is the Mazatzal Wilderness and west lies Fountain Hills and the McDowell Mountains. If solitude is something you treasure, Four Peaks is the place to go. Often times cars and other people are as scarce as the water supply.

The beauty of this route is that it can either be an out and back, returning from the trailhead at the top. Or, travelers can continue down the eastern slope of the mountain to Highway 188 at Roosevelt Lake, which leads to the Beeline Highway (State Route 88) and back to Fountain Hills.

To access the route take Shea Boulevard to the Beeline Highway. At the stoplight turn left. Follow the Beeline for about 12 miles until you see a sign on the right side for Four Peaks Road, FR 143. Here the road is unpaved. Follow FR 143 just under 18 miles and then turn right (south) onto FR 648. Follow this road 1.3 miles to the trailhead. There is plenty of parking here. The trailhead services three trails, Brown's, Pigeon, and Four Peaks Trail.

For the best views facing west be sure to drive up on the Horse Trailer parking lot which is elevated above the trailhead parking lot. If you do not wish to continue on follow the route back the way you came to the Beeline. Since FR 648 dead ends at the trailhead, turn around and head back to the intersection of FR 648 and FR 143. Rather than turning left onto FR 143, take FR 143 curving toward the right, FR 143 descends down to highway 188 on a relatively easy graded road. At 188 the pavement begins. Turn left and follow 188 to 88. 188 has a few conveniences such as gas, food, and lodging while near Roosevelt Lake. At the Beeline Highway, 87, turn left and head back to Fountain Hills.

Remember to always have plenty of gas and a spare tire on hand. Be sure to bring enough water for all passengers for more than one day. Plan ahead, paying close attention to weather reports. Practice cautious driving and never attempt to cross flooded washes.