Forest road junction with a spur that turns west. Unexplored.

One of the first, private dispersed campsites you encounter traveling west along Peppersauce Wash. Primitive stone fire ring. Enough room for one or two vehicles, and easy access for most vehicles. Expect a decent amount of recreational traffic here.

Perhaps the gnarliest, most technical section of trail on the entire route up the mountain. This is a somewhat steep ascent with several jagged protruding rocks requiring good ground clearance and attentive line-picking. Can be easily soloed in most modified rigs, but stock vehicle should take great care.

Not challenging, but this wash-crossing marks the beginning of more technical terrain, suitable for four-wheel drive vehicles with decent ground clearance.

Starting here, the better part of this primitive forest road consists of steep ascents and a few steep descents with loose rocks. Be prepared for elevation changes and switchbacks. Requires a stock four-wheel drive vehicle with decent tires and satisfactory ground clearance from the factory. Not technical, but four-wheel drive will definitely be put to use.

Fourth stream crossing along Peppersauce. Neither wide nor deep, this small stream was flowing gently when scouted in early April, 2023. Easily passable.

Rocky section of forest road that looks like the first moderately difficult obstacle along Peppersauce. Stock four-wheel drive vehicles or inexperienced drivers may opt for a spotter here, but anyone should be able to solo with care. Consists of short ascent with a few protruding boulders. The trail becomes gentle again beyond this point.

Second stream crossing along Peppersauce. Neither wide nor deep, this small stream was flowing gently when scouted in early April, 2023. Easily passable.

Switchback marks the bottom of the impending hill-climb. While the hill looks steep from afar, it is neither technical nor challenging. Any four-wheel drive vehicle with aired-down tires, and low range should have no difficulty whatsoever.

Beyond this point, Peppersauce climbs out of the canyon and ascends the mountain. The two-track up the hill is relatively steep but gentle and can be scaled at a decent pace.

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Junction with forest road continuing to the top of Rice Peak, or turning to the southeast along an unmarked section of trail. Unexplored.

Junction that connects to forest road segment to the north, which will follow the ridge and then head back down the mountain, or turn south onto forest road spur, Rice Peak Road. If you came this far, you might as well go up to Rice Peak!

Atop the saddle between two mountains. There is a small clearing here that can perhaps be used as a dispersed campsite, and there is a good view of the forest road hill-climb up the opposing mountain to the south.

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There is a junction here with an unmarked two-track that turns southwest. It appears lightly traveled and is not on the official MVUM, however there are a couple of dispersed sites tucked away a short distance down the road. Unexplored.

Forest road continues to the south, or diverges to the southeast. The southeast route appears to descend the mountain along an alternative route, and might be fun. Unexplored. Continue following forest road up the hill to the south to go to Rice Peak.

This is a spacious and charming camping area that features a grassy flat spot, and a couple of stone fire rings tucked among the trees. Accessible in any vehicle, and enough space for a van. Enough room for three or four vehicles. Clean and well cared for, but expect other outdoor recreation traffic and possibly neighbors.

There is a flat and spacious pull-off here suitable for spotter parking, or spectator parking for watching drivers tackle the rocky section of trail down the hill to the east.

Off to the side of the forest road to the west, there is a small pond here. High elevation, but does not look suitable for camping or swimming. Landmark.

The first quarter mile of the forest road to Rice Peak is a fairly gentle primitive track, but that changes pretty quickly beyond this point as the terrain gets loose and the road gets steep. A capable, stock four-wheel drive vehicle from the factory will suffice if the driver is experienced or has a good spotter. Use more caution beyond this point.

The forest road descends into a rocky section of Peppersauce Wash for a short distance. Not challenging, just bumpy.

A narrow switchback that will require a multi-point turn in most four-wheel drive vehicles. Not treacherous or challenging, just a sharp turn with a great view!

Ninth and final stream crossing along Peppersauce. Neither wide nor deep, this small stream was flowing gently when scouted in early April, 2023. Easily passable, and the road ascends out of the canyon beyond this point.

Located on a wooded hillside next to a small stream, this dispersed campsite is accessible by four-wheel drive vehicle, and is spacious enough for one or two vehicles. While it is a lovely spot the ground is not very flat. There is a stone fire ring here, and expect other vehicles and hikers to pass through occasionally.

Eighth stream crossing along Peppersauce. Neither wide nor deep, this small stream was flowing gently when scouted in early April, 2023. Easily passable.

Junction with another primitive forest road connector that turns to the southeast. It does appear to be a through-road and appears somewhat less traveled. Unexplored.

This is a charming dispersed campsite along Peppersauce Wash, and it is the last remaining campsite along the road that is accessible by any vehicle, well-suited for vans. There is a stone fire ring here, and enough room for one or two vehicles. Lovely spot with ample shade. Expect outdoor recreation traffic.

A four-wheel drive accessible dispersed campsite in a shady canyon, with a stone fire ring. This campsite is adjacent to a rock wall that provides decent shade and shelter to the south. There is enough room here for one or two vehicles.

Seventh stream crossing along Peppersauce. Neither wide nor deep, this small stream was flowing gently when scouted in early April, 2023. Easily passable.

You made it! A small clearing with enough room for three of four vehicles to park and enjoy the view. I suppose you could also spend the night here if it isn't windy, and do some stargazing. Interestingly, the boulders here have rounded river rocks embedded in them. There is nowhere to go but back down! Can you see Picacho Peak in the distance to the west?

Third stream crossing along Peppersauce. Neither wide nor deep, this small stream was flowing gently when scouted in early April, 2023. Easily passable.

At the top of a primitive hill-climb, suitable for any four-wheel drive vehicle. Terrain is not technical nor challenging. For descents, recommend aired-down tires, low-range four-wheel drive, and descent control if applicable. Easy-peasy.

The foot of the primitive two-track ascent up to Rice Peak. The road beyond this point is particularly steep, with loose rocks, but not very technical. Low range four-wheel drive required, and tires at low psi. Your tires might slip here and there, but you should be able to idle right up without much drama. This is a good spot with enough space to park for those opting to walk the rest of the way.

Sixth stream crossing along Peppersauce. Neither wide nor deep, this small stream was flowing gently when scouted in early April, 2023. Easily passable.

Fifth stream crossing along Peppersauce. Neither wide nor deep, this small stream was flowing gently when scouted in early April, 2023. Easily passable.

First stream crossing along Peppersauce. Neither wide nor deep, this small stream was flowing gently when scouted in early April, 2023. Easily passable.

While the forest road to this point is a primitive two-track, it is not too challenging. Although due to low vegetation and stream crossings, you should have a four-wheel drive vehicle with decent ground clearance. This is dispersed site features a stone fire ring and enough room for one or two vehicles. Decent privacy, but the ground is not very level.

Spacious forest road junction with two diverging primitive tracks. One turns to the west, while the other turns to the south. If Rice Peak is intended destination, both routes will suffice, but road to the south is somewhat rougher and more challenging than road to the west. In April 2023, I explored the route to the south.

There is a sign here that warns of a narrow switchback directly to the east that four-wheel drive vehicles might have trouble negotiating. It is my opinion that this sign is obsolete, as the switchback appears to be recently maintained, widened, and reinforced. I had no trouble negotiating in my four-door Jeep Wrangler. Sign is old and was probably from before the switchback was improved. Switchback does still require a multi-point turn.

Just off of a groomed forest road to the west, just across the road from Peppersauce Campground, there is a spacious dirt clearing suitable for staging small groups and airing up or airing down. Be wary of other hikers and campers who also utilize this area.

Just off to the side of the primitive forest road, there is a stone fire ring here, and enough room for one or two vehicles. Decently flat with towering sycamore trees next to small creek. Requires four wheel drive to access. Expect other recreational outdoor traffic.

This is a high-elevation dispersed campsite located on a forest road switchback. There is a stone fire ring here, and enough room for a single vehicle. It is flat and secluded, and might be a good alternative to the campsites in the canyon. Some vegetation for shelter, but more exposed to sun and wind. Four-wheel drive required.

This track is an excerpt of the lower portion of Nugget, which is FR4472. Taking lower Although you're only on it for a short distance, Nugget from Peppersauce grants access to a somewhat more challenging route up to Rice Peak. This section of Nugget runs along a grassy ridge and a small pond, and while the road is rough, this part of it is not challenging and is suitable for stock four-wheel drive vehicles.

FR4475 is an alternate route up to Rice Peak instead of Nugget. Although the distance up to Rice Peak is similar, this forest road is slightly rougher and more lightly traveled. It features loose, rocky climbs and descents and switchbacks; none of which are too difficult but the elevation changes might give some drivers pause. Suitable for stock four-wheel drive vehicles with good tires and decent ground clearance from the factory. Experienced drivers recommended for solo travel.

FR4483, the road to Rice Peak. This segment starts gently enough at the junction with FR4475, but the terrain quickly becomes steep, rocky, and loose. There are switchback and rock gardens that require careful line picking and decent ground clearance. Amazing views up here. This trail runs along the Arizona Trail backpacking route, so watch for hikers along the road. It can be done in a stock four-wheel drive vehicle, but with great care. It terminates atop Rice Peak. Backtracking required.

Peppersauce is the name of FR29, which follows a wash of the same name, with multiple small stream crossings, before it ascends out of the canyon. There are several nice dispersed campsites, suitable for both van and high-clearance four-wheel drive, within the first mile of the lower terminus. This track features some mild challenges including small rocky sections, off-cambers, and hill climbs, and is suited for stock four-wheel drive vehicles with good tires and decent ground clearance from the factory.