From our friends at the Arizona Game and Fish Department:

Looking for a way to help keep our public lands beautiful, safe and accessible for all to enjoy? Bring your family and friends out to the annual Four Peaks Cleanup this Saturday, Nov. 1.

Volunteers will remove trash from an area just east of the Four Peaks turnoff from Highway 87 (the Beeline Highway). This is a popular destination for camping, off-highway vehicle riding and recreational shooting, among other activities. Unfortunately, every year tons of trash and illegally dumped items need to be hauled out.

The cleanup event is sponsored by the Copperstate 4 Wheelers, Tonto Recreation Alliance (TRAL), and Tread Lightly! in cooperation with the Tonto National Forest, Arizona Game and Fish Department, and others.

Here is information about the event:

WHEN: Saturday, Nov. 1, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Volunteers can work all day or part of the day. Lunch for volunteers will be provided by Tread Lightly! between noon and 2 p.m.

DIRECTIONS: Travel north on Hwy 87 to the Four Peaks turnoff, east from Hwy 87 between mile markers 203 and 204 on Forest Service Road 143. The cleanup area will be approximately ½ mile from Highway 87.

DETAILS: Please check in when you arrive. All volunteers will be asked to sign a liability waiver. Lunch will be provided by Tread Lightly! There will be a raffle at lunch.

BRING:

  • Closed toe shoes or boots - this is rocky terrain!
  • Long pants.
  • Gloves.
  • Hat.
  • Sunscreen.
  • WATER!
  • Any other equipment that might be useful, such as a shovel.

CONTACT: [email protected] or 800-966-9900 ext 13.

ADDITIONAL NOTE: Temporary closure of shooting activities during cleanup event. For the safety of the volunteers during the Four Peaks Cleanup, the Tonto National Forest will temporarily close the Sugarloaf area to recreational shooting from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1. The restricted area includes all National Forest System lands and roads within the exterior boundaries of the National Forest System Roads and Sugarloaf Road (NFSR 402). Starting from the intersection of Highway 87 and Four Peaks National Forest System Road 143, following the roadway northwest for 5 miles encompassing 300 feet along both sides of the road bed. From the junction of Highway 87 and National Forest System Road 402, following the roadway southwest for 3 miles encompassing 300 feet along both sides of the road bed. Exceptions to this restriction are those individuals who are engaged in the taking of game animals in accordance with federal, state, or tribal laws and regulations. For more information about the one day closure, please contact the Mesa Ranger District at 480-610-3300 or visit the Tonto National Forest website: www.fs.usda.gov/tonto.

(Photo: Dave Anderson | Four Peaks)