Table Mesa Area - Land Use - Rock Crawling

On occasion, local wheelers have worked on trails in the area to clean up any trash that might be out there. They also try to restore trails to their more natural state by removing stacked rocks that others had neglected to remove after they made the obstacle they were struggling on. Volunteers have helped maintain the area and the Arizona Virtual Jeep Club is one group that helps to promote periodic cleanups. The most recent one in May 2010 attracted over 60 people who quickly filled a 40-yard dumpster with trash in about 4 hours. At this point, another cleanup has been scheduled in cooperation with the BLM for November 6, 2010.

On occasion, local wheelers have worked on trails in the area to clean up any trash that m

As this plan was formulated during the study period, local users were asked for their inputs and off-roaders were asked to identify trails being used so they could be added to the total route inventory for consideration in the plan. Six formal meetings were held with the public for solicited input.

One output from the planning is that the area will be organized with a "zoned approach" to keep certain groups of users restricted to specified areas for safety and compatibility reasons.

Specific to rock crawling, "technical vehicle sites" will be defined where 4WDs will be allowed. Certain use restrictions may be put in place, as needed, and access may require a permit or some other access restriction may be imposed. As the plan currently shows, some of the technical sites will be shut down, but some new replacement sites have been proposed.

As an aside, It should be noted that in January of 2009, Arizona also enacted a new OHV sticker law that requires all unlicensed vehicles used off the highway be registered and pay a fee. Most of the monies are supposed go into an OHV Recreation Fund to provide funding for new trails, law enforcement, education, land restoration, etc.

Table Mesa lies just outside an area where other pressures on off-road access are building to the south in Maricopa County, where Phoenix resides. Federal air quality mandates have prompted dust ordinances that include restrictions on the use of vehicles on unpaved areas on certain days. This is yet another constriction of our ability to get out and play on some days and in some places in that county.

Over the years, nearby urban growth has moved closer to Table Mesa and irresponsible users have brought further attention to the area. As such, the BLM is stepping in with a plan to further regulate the area, which will include closing down some of the former play areas. Table Mesa is just one representative place and each of you may have some local 'wheeling spot that is threatened with closure or constriction. We can all learn to be a little more conscientious about caring for the land we have access to and trying our best to preserve our right to responsibly recreate on our public lands. It's best to be vigilant in your area and watch for pending problems or legislation that may reduce your ability to get out and play.

Signs have been placed on some bypass routes that were inappropriate and where vegetation damage could occur. Rogue wheelers who cannot make the more challenging obstacles sometimes choose to remove the signs and take the easy bypass rather than admit they are over their head on too difficult a trail.
Signs have been placed on some bypass routes that were inappropriate and where vegetation
In the past, trash has been a big issue at Table Mesa, as it seems it always is in popular areas near town. Responsible users pack it in and pack it out. However, there are always those inconsiderate few that leave signs of their presence there strewn about, ruining the open land access freedom for us all. If we keep our outdoor areas clean, there'll be less chance of having them taken away.
In the past, trash has been a big issue at Table Mesa, as it seems it always is in popular
Most of the crawling trails in the Table Mesa area lie down in sandy washes and narrow canyons. The impact of vehicle traffic here is mostly erased each year as flash flood waters rip through these washes. In fact, the violent water flows in the winter season can often change the character of the trails significantly from one year to another.
Most of the crawling trails in the Table Mesa area lie down in sandy washes and narrow can