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| Hiking | 2.98 Miles |
388 AEG |
| | Hiking | 2.98 Miles | 2 Hrs 18 Mns | | 2.29 mph |
| 388 ft AEG | 1 Hour Break | | | |
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| partners | | Somehow we managed to both get the same day off from work, so we loaded up Sammy and headed out of town by 6:00. It was a cloudy,cool 80 degree morning, and our destination was Martinez Canyon. We decided to come in via Florence Junction and head north through Box Canyon. I am not sure what we would have done if we had actually met another vehicle on this route. There is absolutely nowhere to go to get out of the way of an approaching vehicle. But since is was a week day, no worries. We never saw another soul.
Mark is quite the deft driver. To increase air flow and lighten our load, we disposed of the 2 front side doors under some brush, to be picked up later on our return. Mark navigated the Samurai over boulders and rock piles, through depressions and craters, until we reached our destination.
We parked in a refreshing grotto that seemed out of place in the dry Arizona desert. This lush green oasis was framed by cottonwood trees and red canyon walls. From there, we trekked up the canyon until we reached the Martinez ranch house. We passed several structures along the way, but our interest was more in the mines and abandoned equipment than the structures that were in serious decay. Don't think you could pay me to enter any of them.  We ended our hike at the mill, where we explored the antique machinery and I received a lesson on the workings of a steam powered engine that powered the air compressor  It's is all Geek to me, but I nodded my head and smiled, happy that Mark was willing to share his wealth of knowledge with me. After one last look in a mine filled with bats, we decided to head back to the car to begin our long journey home via Cottonwood Canyon. Spent some time filming Sammy as he went up and down "the ledge" on our way out. What a show off Sammy is.
Another great day in the Arizona desert, 4-wheeling and hiking with my best buddy!  |
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