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| no partners | | An excellent weekend. Long drive early Sat morning to the non TH, a pull off on an old faded road. Had hiked part of this old trail a few years ago, but weather and time did not finish. According to the map a large mine was up the canyon and I had a feeling the old trail was a miners mule or foot affair that would go to the mine. One can drive close to the mine then you still have to walk. This seemed the more scenic way.
Wonderful warm sun and a cool breeze, nice to have since I was walking in the volcanic walled canyon. Black and deep brown holey rock, with strange arches and alcoves. Past the area of pipe near a spring, this was as far as I got the first go round. The trail was obliterated by several rock falls then it split. One branch followed the solitary power poles stripped of wire and cross beams. I followed it to a saddle, and a small partial rock walled shelter. Then went over a saddle and dropped down to get the other trail.
Bright orangy tailings indicated the mine portal. Since I have been in many mines that go no where I dropped my pack and entered with multiple lights and camera and that was it.
Naturally this ended up being a pretty big mine, lots of walking, and I was in a haulage tunnel that popped out to the main area going through the mountain. Lots of downed structures, ore, concrete mill foundations, fire brick and another big tunnel with a long laddered stope. I finally went back, got the pack and the better outside camera, and came back through the haulage tunnel, long and straight with a nice breeze.
I hit up all the levels I could, the only one was a short drop that someone had put a board through a ladder that was totally disconnected and swung freely. Although probably only 30 feet I couldn't bring myself to do that one. I did go up a manway on ladders and down the stope, I counted 145 rungs to get to the bottom. About 10-15 bats down there.
After spending a few hours running around, back to the Jeep.
Now I drove on toward the eastern edge of the Kofa, the back way. My map indicated an interesting loop could be had driving. It was getting late so I camped on a flat area after some mega wash driving, but gravelly so no sinkage noted.
Next morning short trek to Wilbanks cabin/well area. Road was supposed to go through but was blocked. I put the pack on and headed west, wash and cross country, and ended up in a photographer dream area for Squaw peak, rounded mudstone hoodoos, a few arches, and a developed slot tank area. I wandered around here a bit, checked some alcoves and just enjoyed myself. Back to the vehicle no problem as just get in a wash and follow it, they all went to the main wash anyway. Long wash drive out, which I had fun deciding between 2 and 4wd and played slaloming around boulders in the wash. I drove out a road I had used before, it has a nice shelf portion with big views, but no passing ability so you just have to hope and go.
I wore my new HAZ hat for this foray, and since I have no one to impress, and probably will stay solo for the forseeable future, I found it comfortable and a winner in wear and packability. |
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