|
| | | Mineral Mtn Quad - Peak 3315, AZ | | | |
|
|
Mineral Mtn Quad - Peak 3315, AZ
| | |
| |
|
| 4x4 Trip | 19.80 Miles |
2,730 AEG |
| | 4x4 Trip | 19.80 Miles | 2 Hrs 8 Mns | | 11.42 mph |
| 2,730 ft AEG | | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | When I left home I had no idea which of the two hikes in the same area I'd do, figuring as I got closer something would come to mind that would make the decision. Nearing the Coke Ovens on the rough Martinez Canyon Road I was leaning toward climbing the peak just west of The Rincon when I noticed a small side track to the left. I'd first seen it on a 60+ year-old map and had looked for it a number of times but never did locate it. Whether it was the early morning light that made it so clear or not, there it was right where I expected it.
Ok, so now it's time to see if it's driveable. It was, but only very carefully. In some places there were very faint traces of two-track, in others it was a matter of continuing in the same direction until another hint showed itself. This meant driving over large bushes/small trees in some places, which the real hazard was the possibility of a large rock hidden in the center. I crossed two very deep,narrow washes that had the front bumper digging in when climbing out. But this was no time to turn back so I continued on. As the road climbed up some loose rocky slopes I engaged the rear locker to keep from losing traction.
Eventually I reached a very steep slope with rocks too large to drive over and thankfully there was just enough room to turn around. With the thought of hiking up the last part on foot just to see where the track ended, I set off with just my camera and GPS. At what truly seemed the end of the road was a caved in area that appeared to have been a small pit mine many years ago. From here I was so close to the top of a ridge that I couldn't turn back now.
Sorry, you'll have to check my 1/23/12 hike triplog for the rest of the story.
Chapter 2:
http://hikearizona.com/x.php?x=70617 |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
Route Editor
Route Scout
