After an hour of rockhounding in the Black Hills, Pam and I circled back around from the collecting area and got on the Back Country Byway for a scenic drive on our way up to Clifton/Morenci. This was the 2nd time I have traveled this entire byway and I thoroughly enjoyed it as much as the first time, what a cool road!!!
We made a lot of stops along the way including - the old cinder & pumice mines, Canyon Overlook picnic area, Guthrie Peak view, prison camp ruins, Freeport-McMoRan copper mine exhibit and a short hike along the Gila River and under the old 1918 Safford bridge. The 21 mile byway road then came to an end at US 191 which we then took up north to Granville for the day's hike.
There is a lot of history to see along the byway and I would highly recommend stopping at the Safford Chamber of Commerce and picking up the "along the way" driving brochure to all interested in taking this scenic drive!