ob1jeeper 484 Posted June 19, 2014 BLM agents informed the Wickenburg Town Council at their meeting Monday evening, that the Box Canyon of the Hassayampa would be seasonally CLOSED to ALL ranching, horseback, hiking, and motor vehicle activities, during Spring & Summer months, effective Spring 2015. According to statements reported in the Wickenburg Sun today, attributed to both the Mayor and Vice Mayor of Wickenburg, this notice came as a complete surprise, and is directly opposite of what was agreed to at the Wickenburg Travel Plan meetings as recent as a few months ago, when the BLM stated that the Box Canyon of the Hassayampa was NOT on the list of areas being considered for closures, or other modifications to current uses. Stay tuned… Looks like there may be some fur flying over this one… Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzJeepChic 2,435 Posted June 19, 2014 Thanks for the exclusive! Good information to know. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
theksmith 3,833 Posted June 19, 2014 is there some reason given? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lofreqjeff 83 Posted June 19, 2014 maybe its time for us to organize a run out there before its too late - I love that area and its been 3-4 years since I've been out there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ob1jeeper 484 Posted June 19, 2014 The BLM agent mumbled something about allowing "the fragile riparian area" to have time to recover from heavy winter usage… As an afterthought he then added something to the effect that there was a possibility that a specific bird may be nesting in the area, and it would be good to not have them disturbed. I believe that the truth is that a recent change of ownership of one of the old mining claims above the canyon, has resulted in the new property owner raising a stink about the recreational activity in the canyon, that is adjacent to her property annoying her. It is significantly cooler in the canyon during the summer months, due to the water which flows a few inches deep in there, and the shading afforded by the canyon walls, thus it becomes a local hangout, and camping spot, for the younger set, and even some younger families to go to relax and play volleyball, etc. on evenings and weekends. Obviously this is not what one would care to listen to all night as the party typically continues well into the evening, but IMHO, if you don't wish to listen to the noise of people having a good time, at a location they have been using for same for the past hundred-plus years, you probably would be well advised to NOT purchase property adjacent to such an area. But that obviously did not happen here… IF I were a betting man, I'd be betting that her $$ talks pretty loud, and with the help of some of those wishing to close off more lands, especially to OHV users, that the BLM was only too happy to oblige them and grab even more land which they have no resources to properly manage. IMHO, for the BLM's part, it's all about "empire building", and further attempts at justification of their existence… Call me paranoid if you must, however, I personally don't trust ANY representative of ANY branch of the federal government to do what's right for the land OR the citizens. In their eyes, their very existence DEPENDS on continuing to build their own empires, and they have NO problem throwing their weight around to intimidate the citizenry they are SUPPOSED to be serving… That said, there are citizens hell bent on supporting the closure of lands to uses other than their own pet peeves, who are too blinded by this, to see the BIG picture of the rights they are freely giving up… :mad::mad: Sadly, it such a contentious issue with some folks here, that I am afraid there is the increased possibility of confrontations with any attempts to keep folks from using the area, which I am hopeful do not turn violent… Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
scottL 178 Posted June 19, 2014 What a bummer. Over the years myself and the fam' have shared many good times there. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
CoDawwg 0 Posted June 30, 2014 That is kinda sad to here this news! I have been there a couple times this year and it is a great place to go and kick back. To bad that more and more places in AZ are being closed. I live up in Williams, and they are closing trails and roads left and right. Gona have to trade my rig in for a pavement pounder. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
matt@expaz 2 Posted March 12, 2015 Great news! I just talked with the Hassayampa BLM office and they told me they have withdrawn their recommendation to close this trail. Woohoo! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ZMagic97 1 Posted March 12, 2015 Great news! I just talked with the Hassayampa BLM office and they told me they have withdrawn their recommendation to close this trail. Woohoo! Excellent! I just did this trail for the first time in January and really liked it. I was hoping to go again this summer. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SlyDawg 14 Posted March 12, 2015 Great news! I just talked with the Hassayampa BLM office and they told me they have withdrawn their recommendation to close this trail. Woohoo! Thanks for the info Matt. I have been going up there for the last 30 years and was there just 2 weeks ago. I have always enjoyed that canyon by kicking back and sometimes soaking my feet in the cold water. Just seemed to rejuvenate my outlook on things. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
