| |
|
| | |
|
| Hiking | 18.00 Miles |
4,260 AEG |
| | Hiking | 18.00 Miles | 7 Hrs 35 Mns | | 2.43 mph |
| 4,260 ft AEG | 10 Mns Break | | | |
|
|
| |
| Linked |
|
none
[ show ]
| no linked trail guides |
| Partners |
|
none
[ show ]
| no partners | | After my long bushwhack from Happy Camp Canyon to Dos Cabezas I have been wanting to find an alternate way in. I bought a Topo map and have been studying it. I found an old jeep trail that went up through Buckeye Canyon on the map and decided to give it a go.
It looked like something fun to check out as there were a couple mines noted along the route. I took I-10 to Bowie and then took the Roberts Farm Road South under the 10. Then I took the first Right onto Buckeye Apache Road and followed it until I hit a red locked gate that said private drive. I didn't expect the road to be blocked so I did the only logical thing. I pulled the car off the road, put a note on it just in case and then got my Camelbak ready. On foot I managed to get passed the gate just fine and now I was trespassing. 
About a mile up the road I come to a ranch house and what looks to be the end of the road. I slow down and scan real good so as not to get shot. I have heard too many stories about some of the folks in the area which is part of my reasoning to find a clean way in. Anyway I see an older gent out by a corral. I holler at him saying hello and eventually get his attention. First he questions me and wants to know what I am doing on his property. Then he calms down and we chat for about 20 minutes. The whole time I am unsure of what the outcome will be. Eventually he comes around and says follow me. He takes me to a gate at the back of his lot. He opens it up and bingo I have access! Not only is it the old jeep trail on the map but he has a Cat D7 and he has been clearing the road.
I followed this recently graded road all the way up. It went past he Buckeye Mill, the Buckeye Mine and the Elma Mine. Just fascinating! Eventually it reaches the saddle between the radio towers and thats where I turned right and followed the path down to between the two peaks. Up through the heavy leaves I went. This time I was determined to summit the South Cabeza since 2 weeks ago I made it to the top of the North one.
It has been said that the south one is 3 feet higher than its counterpart. It has also been said that it is more difficult to climb. I went between the two and found a way up. Once on top I took some photos and signed the log. It was soooo windy that I only stayed up there about 10 minutes. Looking across I couldn't really see a height advantage but I can certainly confirm that it was more challenging to climb.
The way down went much faster and on my way out I ran into Mr. Wallace Klump. He is the property owner who let me through. He asked me if I had a nice day and offered me some coffee. He also spent some time talking about the history of mines. It's pretty crazy but almost a hundred years ago there was a tram up there. It went from the Mascot Mine on the other side all the way down to the town of Dos Cabezas. It carried ore to a train that would ultimately take it to a smelter in Douglas. Cool stuff indeed!
I think I made a friend and am happy I didn't get shot! This still doesn't solve the access situation, although I am pretty sure I can get through again with no issues.  |
| _____________________
| | |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Route Editor
Route Scout
