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| Hiking | 5.05 Miles |
399 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.05 Miles | 2 Hrs 10 Mns | | 2.71 mph |
| 399 ft AEG | 18 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Written 4-19-2016 A few of the others were off bagging Sierra de Ajo. I knew I wouldn't keep up and it was a little warm so this was my choice for the morning. I would join the others after hiking Bull Pasture for the hike down Estes Canyon.
So off I went. HAZEl and me. I finally found the sign-in box and headed on my merry way toward Mexico. You can see the mountains to the south so it's a nice view until the trail takes you up and down the several washes and switches directions several times toward the western Sonoyta Mountains. It's always an interesting hike when I really don't know where I'll end up in this landscape so I was guessing a lot.
I did see an ant pile where they gather the blooms of the ocotillo and do something with them (I have pictures and video). Maybe build a garden for their queen? Also heard some birds but other than that; it's pretty quiet out here. I finally came upon a road that had some more signage. There is apparently some other hikes you can do to some other mines. I know the NPS runs shuttles where they can drop you off at various routes and you can hike back to the campground; might be worth checking it out.
Finally got to the mine and spent a lot longer there than I thought. There are several steel-like bar structures over the adits which are now apparently home for the bats per the signage. There is some old track and one topless rockstone building that has cool views to shoot photos from within toward the south. After wandering around I got my fill and headed back to the campground trying to make some decent time. I did have to stop a couple times for pictures of the Ajo Mountain range. I met about 7 other hikers coming out.
The trail looks like it's had some recent maintenance and has steps and benches in various areas. It really was a pleasure and you know how I feel about hiking and gawking  to my heart's content.
Videos:
https://youtu.be/9o ... kyO0
at the mine https://youtu.be/7g ... oacE
https://youtu.be/FG ... 3PbI |
| _____________________
For me, sometimes it's just as much about the journey as the destination.
Oh, and once in awhile, don't forget to look back at the trail you've traveled. |
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