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lap of luxury by kingsnake  The exploration starts off by heading east on Copper Basin Rd. for a few feet, before it splits left onto an old jeep trail. The trail is so old, it is washed out to a depth of several feet on one side, and on the other is worn only by many cattle. There is an unsigned, easily-crossed, barb wire fence. Just past the fence is the Finch Windmill. After the Finch Windmill, turn left onto a better jeep trail, FR 58. In 100 yds., there is a locked, but unsigned and easily crossed, metal tube gate. Just past the gate, on the left, is an apparently abandoned travel trailer, set up for camping. It looks like it's been there awhile, so I've mentioned it here, in the hike description. *** There are no "No Trespassing" signs at any point on this hike. *** The Flower Gold Mine is only a half mile into the hike, and has a number of interesting artifacts, including an intact metal headframe. A mile into the hike, there is a side trail to the east, which -- according to mindat.org -- leads to the Silver Gulch Lode. The next two miles, FR 58 pitches up, but nothing too strenuous. As FR 58 starts to climb, on the left, you will see an obvious tailings pile. The shaft at the top of the tailings pile is collapsed and filled in, but has a great view back down Finch Wash, out past Kirkland to the entire Weaver Mountains range, including the distinct flat top of Antelope Peak, Yarnell Hill and Weaver Peak. Three miles into the hike,there is an old mining shack. The shack is falling apart, but at one time, by mining camp standards, it was the lap of luxury. It had a thick cement foundation, brick walls, a metal fireplace, and — I kid you not — Dutch doors. I hate to see nice places like that which have fallen on hard times. A couple hundred yards past the former mansion, at the foot of West Spruce Mountain, FR 58 splits. The right split deadends; go left. At the top of a short, steep, climb is this mine exploration’s final feature, and the highlight of the hike: A large open adit. So large, you can almost walk straight into it. Unnamed on the topo, or mindat.org, I’ll call it Finch Wash Mine. See my triplog & photos for more detail. Check out the Official Route and Triplog. Gate Policy: If a gate is closed upon arrival, leave it closed after you go through. If it is open, leave it open. Leaving a closed gate open may put cattle in danger. Closing an open gate may cut them off from water. Please be respectful, leave gates as found. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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