Four Peaks/ Mother Lode - Trespassing?

[AZOutdoorsman]

Hello:

I thought there was a phone number for the Amethyst Mine somewhere on the page for trying to get permission to pass through to the drainage between peaks 3 and 4, but now I can't find it? Has anyone called with success? What are the chances of getting through if you just show-up? Are they usually there on Saturdays? If denied access what is the best approach once at the mine? I have a topo and group is very experienced with off-trail scrambling. Info from those with first-hand knowledge would be appreciated.

Thanks! : ) - Darrell

[joebartels]

It's definitely trespassing as you pass two signs telling you so.
No clue if this six year old mine number works... 480-994-4185
Kenny? last reported they took down his ID for insurance reasons.
Some say beware the dogs, I have never seen or heard any.

You can do an out-n-back or you can climb the 6600 ridge (just south of 6600 on topo) up on Amethyst Sister Peak (Peak 3, 7572). The easiest option is to come up the 2-3 saddle.

I've never tried to curl around from the 6600 ridge as it looks to steep in the ravine going up Amethyst. That "would" be the most optimal for a bypass of the mine if possible.

[DarthStiller]

Sami's jewelry store up in Fountain Hills sells amethyst from the mine and every year does a Saturday afternoon presentation about the mine with some of the miners present. they even do a tour of the mine after that. Next one is Feb., 6, 2010. you might call and see if you can get contact info to the mine thru them.

[Davis2001r6]

Been to the mine 3 or 4 times, never seen a person there. Last time I was there it was rather easy to get around the gate but that's been a few years now.

[PrestonSands]

Four Peaks amethyst mine tour? I like the sound of that!

[DarthStiller]

Four Peaks amethyst mine tour? I like the sound of that!

Every year I keep wanting to do it, but it's always a Saturday and I'm watching my kids.

[pfredricks]

I talked to a Sierra club member who mentioned that the mine was not currently operating, and he may have said that it changed hands????

Without going thru the the mine, there are not a lot of really good options if one wants to do a "one way." I've heard nightmares about trying to go off trail around peak 4 (If brown's is #1) to avoid the mine, I don't recall the 6600 route to be too "do-able" I know this sounds like a PIA solution, but, I think possibly the easiest alternative might be to go OVER the saddle of peak 2 and 3 to the east side of the four peaks(i think East side-the one opposite of Amethist mine), then follow along the contour of peak 3 at about 7000 feet on the EAST sideof peaks to the 7000 foot saddle of peak 3 and 4 then on up to peak 4. There really aren't alot of real easy alternatives to going thru the mine.

[AZOutdoorsman]

Thanks guys for all your thoughts/help. I'll try giving a call - first. Hope no one is at the mine - second. If they are there, hope they are friendly - third. Hopefully I'll be posting a successful completion in a couple weeks! : )

[DarthStiller]

Reminder a week from this Saturday, Feb. 6 its meet the miners day at Sami's in Ftn Hills, in case you want to make a contact for a future motherlode trek.

[juliachaos]

Not sure if anyone has encountered this before, but this past weekend the mine seemed to be running (lots of loud mechanical noise coming from that area?) and there were a couple of men there with shotguns. They also had dogs with them, so we weren't sure if they were associated with the mine or if they were hunters. The gate was open so we passed through and started heading up to the 3-4 chute. There was one unleashed dog there with the shed; it seemed antsy but didn't bark or attack when we had to pass very close to it. The men spotted us and one pointed with his gun (not as though he was going to shoot though) and headed toward us. Didn't yell at us or anything and didn't follow us when we continued up the chute. Definitely made us a little bit nervous though. I'd definitely recommend calling ahead of time if only for the peace of mind..

[Tough_Boots]

yeah, I think its considered courteous to get permission from the mine. I've never heard of them turning someone down but its probably the friendly thing to do.