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| 4x4 Trip | 72.50 Miles |
6,244 AEG |
| | 4x4 Trip | 72.50 Miles | 7 Hrs | | 13.18 mph |
| 6,244 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | We started early to beat the rush of ATV's, dirt bikes & 4x4's by heading directly to Martinez Canyon for a hike and exploration of the Silver Bell and Columbia Mines. The cabin area was chock full of said parties by time we finished our exploration/hike so it was a good thing we wasted little time.
From there we drove out to the Coke Ovens but by this time it was like a ATV/dirt-bike convention so we continued on down to the Gila River to where Eric and Hank had their misadventure about a year ago. While the river bed was dry halfway across, it was rushing pretty fast farther out. Part of it was shallow based on the waves but there was a 5' wide spot with no swirls so it would be a deeper spot so there was no way we were going to cross today. So we headed back to the ovens which by this time was almost deserted but for 3 ATV's and their riders. Having noticed now as well as earlier the amount of people who didn't appear adventurous enough to tackle the whole drive from Box Canyon to the ovens, I asked one of the drivers which way they came in from. He answered across the river from Cochran Road. Since we were down there and saw no evidence I asked where. He told us it was almost as soon as we get out of the trees, but not remembering a good looking crossing there we were baffled. To that he said to follow them and they'd show us.
Good thing we followed them because even if we knew where they crossed we wouldn't have know the direction and exact spot. Instead of driving straight across where they drove down the bank, they turned upstream 20' then swung out across then another curve farther downstream and out. Although the ATV's were lower than us with 4 people in each, it was a good thing my air intake was the highest point under the hood because water was gushing out everywhere. Thinking we were home free we look ahead and find trees to the edge of the water so we have to drive back down into the water for another 50' before driving up a steep, slick and muddy bank. It was very shallow here so no worries but with only ATV's and cycles using this route it took the locker engaged and just keeping the foot on the gas to get up the bank. We followed the ATV's until we hit Donnelly Wash and we cruised south to the Flo-Kelvin highway and back to Florence. Not done 4-wheeling for the day we headed east on Price Road for the trip through Box Canyon and back out Cottonwood where we had entered some 8+ hours before.
Another long run for the Samurai over plenty of rough terrain and a river crossing without a hiccup so things are working out great.
See our mine exploration hike triplog here:
[ triplog ]
To view the videos from inside the mines follow the links...
Columbia Mine:
http://changephoenix.com/jpserver/web/p ... .php?id=47
Silver Bell Mine:
http://changephoenix.com/jpserver/web/p ... .php?id=48 |
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