Comments on: The Big Sandy

By: PJ

PJ — Fri, 18 Sep 2015 23:37:23 +0000

I own a large piece of land along the Big Sandy River south of the Signal Ghost Town. My land borders BLM/Wilderness land. It is my beautiful hidden oasis. The few people who hike or pass along the Big Sandy River often don’t realize that sometimes they are passing through pockets of private land – especially at the north end of the Arrasta Mountain Wilderness.

It is good to see that most people who visit the valley are respectful of the land – whether private or BLM. However, there are those who don’t seem to care that someone might own the land that they are spinning their ATV tires on. They are typically wanna-be rednecks from the city who think they are entitled to do what they want. They only respect the law when it suits them. How would they like it if I drove across their front lawn and camped in their back yard? What if I tossed my empty beer cans into their swimming pool?

I like the hikers and travelers who respect nature and the land. Some of you may have crossed my land on your journey along the Big Sandy River. You are welcome to do so if you respect the land and leave no tracks or garbage. Enjoy the Big Sandy River – let’s keep it a hidden Arizona oasis.

By: desertcanary101

desertcanary101 — Wed, 10 Dec 2014 21:31:19 +0000

Alamo lake area is my favorite desert. I went to grade school there in the 50′s near browns crossing and lived in a bus at the Black Diamond mining camp. I have loved it my whole life and go often. I wanted to comment because my wife and I climbed Artillery peak on October 29 2014.
Be prepared. It was a seven hour round trip and very rough. The rock slides leading to the top can be dangerous and then there are a few hundred feet of free climbing. The view is as expected. Beautiful!

By: steepTrails

steepTrails — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:58:27 +0000

Very nice. My trip was following what I think was a wet winter so plenty of water in early April (at least in the Big Sandy) … there were also some big tanks over near Blue Rock – across from Artillery Peak and noted on the topo – which I would think would be pretty reliable all year.

Yes, disappointing about the ATVers… it’s not like there is a lack of places in this area where they can legally ride – I guess they figure they won’t get caught.

By: tony

tony — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:12:06 +0000

12/27/2011
myself and 5 others just came back from a trip out here and it was very nice. we tried to climb artillery peak but had a few people who couldnt do it in the group, ah well.. next time.

Getting to Alamo lake from Wenden and on Alamo Lake Road is no problem and does not even require high clearance. U can then drive in as far as u’d like on the multitude of ATV trails that bring you to the Big Sandy wash just north of Alamo Lake. This is the easiest way to access from the south. Palmerita Ranch Road is an option as well.

we started our hike from a spur road (brown’s crossing i believe) north of alamo lake side (south) and hiked to the confluence of the Santa Maria and Big Sandy. We then followed the Big Sandy north from here to the base of artillery peak. We found a good deal of water closer to the confluence with the Santa Maria and near the wilderness boundary however the further north up the Big Sandy we went the more dry it became. I am guessing as you go even further like toward the confluence with Government Wash there may be more water up there as this post seems to indicate.

There is alot of ATV’s and Motorcyles that ride straight up past the wilderness boundary along the big sandy. If you look on the map it is a perfect connector to loop up to seventeen mile road or back to the lake etc.. Either way this is COMPLETELY ILLEGAL!! I wrote down license plates and vehicle descriptions of those I saw riding in here while we were there and have reported them to the Bureau of Land Management Kingman Office. I encourage others to do the same… It turns out a picture of the vehicle is good to have as well..

Wilderness is a place for primitive recreation and solitude, seeing people on ATVs in here was very discouraging. Please be active and report these offenses.

we spent two nights along the Big Sandy and found that this is a perfect area to camp in during the winter months. If you need topography maps of the area you can call or stop into the Bureau of Land Management state office in downtown Phoenix on central ave. and they will give you customized topo maps for $10 each!!! Call to inquire.

I am looking forward to coming back to this wonderful place, perhaps next time to people’s canyon.

By: steepTrails

steepTrails — Sun, 31 Oct 2010 12:07:54 +0000

I did hike Peoples Canyon a couple of years ago, but no, I never did see the sign… But when I did that hike I came up from the Santa Maria, hiking up the canyon to where it hits the old road at Sycamore Spring. Then looping back via Burro Spring canyon. I had read about problems with the land owner before… sounds like he’s still a problem.

By: katie

katie — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 23:57:31 +0000

so…what did you find out? I backpacked down to Peeples Canyon, beautiful area. Did you find the big sign by the PO’d owner? If you have seen it, you know what I am referring to. I would like to see COWS gone from that area!