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| Hiking | 8.99 Miles |
2,014 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.99 Miles | 7 Hrs 14 Mns | | 1.80 mph |
| 2,014 ft AEG | 2 Hrs 15 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | Last year as Hank and I drove past Asbestos Point, he told me that this was on his hit list so things quickly came to fruition on Wednesday evening as Hank (Grasshopper), Larry (Oregon Hiker) and myself put together a plan to see the world from Asbestos Peak.
As we drove through Globe, the sun was smacking us right in the eyeballs so it felt good to make the turn onto 188 and then onto 288 as we headed uphill towards Asbestos Point. You can tell right away when you approach the mountain by the white mine tailings streaming down the mountain side forming a pair of angel wings. We located FR 489 along side Pocket Creek and parked the car just off the main roadway.
It didn't take long to get into our gear and I cleared my GPS for the last time at 0913 as we stuck our hiking poles into the gravel road and began our ascent up to the Asbestos mines and on to the peak. The road was a constant uphill trek that passed through sections containing everything from boulders to washouts to pine needles and ball bearing scree. The average uphill grade was close to 20% so the occasional level(?) stretches were a welcome sight.
After about 2.5 miles (about the same in hours) we reached the saddle where we came across an old open pit mining operation with a badly shot-up power shovel sitting below us. We spent a little time here catching our breath (remember, we're seniors), taking in the views and then continued on to the summit.
The final push to the summit is a steep climb up poorly marked trails with lots of brush and loose rocks. Once up there, we could see forever (were it not for the intense haze level) with stunning views of Four Peaks behind Roosevelt Lake and off in the distance was the outline of the Superstition ridgeline. Behind us was Zimmerman Point, and along side that was the distant fire watch tower on Aztec Peak. To our disappointment, the layer of haze almost obscured the lake, we were only able to detect its outline.
We had lunch at the peak then bushwhacked our way down by another (more direct) route taking us back to the mining area. Here we investigated the adits that were exposed (apparently there are several that have been covered). I'm a bit claustrophobic, and I don't like breathing Asbestos, so I didn't venture too far into the mines, but even that was enough to shock my senses and develop a respect for the men who mined this awful stuff.
After doing all the neat stuff, it was time to begin the down-trek back to the car. The steep sections with all the ball bearings was the worst. Hank bit the dust twice on the way down  , so hope he's healing up, I kept loosing my footing, but managed to keep upright while Larry with his size 12's and two sticks didn't seem to have any problems. The hike down seemed to go on forever, at each turn in the road, I kept looking for the car, but only another stretch of road 
When we finally got back to the car, it was time for some of Pat's Chocolate Chip Cookies and a beverage (my choice was beer)then it was off to Globe for some fine Mexican food. The guys dropped me off at my house a little after 7:00pm so it made for a long day.
I spent most of yesterday going through my photos trying to whittle down the number to something manageable and researching Asbestos Mining in Arizona. I found out that Asbestos became a valuable commodity only after demand increased to a level that made it profitable to get it out of the inaccessible locations where it was found.
Asbestos was used as a heat insulator around steam pipes in industrial applications, which we all know about. It was formed into thin sheets to insulate the oven on Mom's cook stove, it was used in automotive brakes and clutches and was used in roofing shingles to make them last longer. Then the US Navy needed a strong, durable yet flexible insulator on electrical cables on its ships so Asbestos won out. Asbestos was used in cement to make it stronger and it's fibers allowed designers to become more creative.
Asbestos tailings were used as roadway construction fill and it was mixed with the blacktopping to make the roadway more durable. Scientists and Engineers were finding more new uses for the magic fiber product then it's cancer causing qualities were discovered and the market for the product crashed.
Mines around Young, the Salt River Canyon, the Sierra Ancha Mountains, San Carlos and Apache Reservations began closing down in the 50's and 60's never to reopen. Law suites against large corporations such as Johns Mannville forced them to file for bankruptcy and go out of business all due to the hazards of Asbestos.
This was an interesting hike with all kinds of historic value and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to anyone. Just remember that Asbestos is a cancer causing product and it's not wise to spend any amount of time inside the mines where the dust can easily be kicked up. We didn't see any Bats or any signs of their presence and I'm sure the cool tunnels make a welcome hiding spot for animals and Rattle Snakes in season.
Thanks for another great hike Hank and I'm sure I'll get out with Larry again on another history seeking hike  |
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| On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another Gold Mine. Today the mine was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the next trip. |
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