Agua Caliente Exploration Trip Report & Picture Thread

[dzJeepChic 2,377]

I found an interesting article on the Oatman's. http://www.discoverseaz.com/History/Oatman.html

 

That is a very detailed account of the story. The Oatman's were part of the original Mormans who were driven from their home in Missouri after the death of Brigham Young. As this account alludes, the Mormans broke into smaller and smaller groups over the months as they traveled west, with the group who remained faithful to Brigham Young's teachings settling in Salt Lake City. I read all about that in the book 'Under the Banner of Heaven' by Jon Krakauer.

[parky11 0]

I made an edit to my trip report because George pointed out that it sounded like we had gone over the same part of the rocks where K got stuck. We went over some easy mild stuff to the right while theksmith & Maddog went over the gnarly stuff further left. Sorry for misleading everyone, my bad. Diane

 

I wasn't misled at all ... the way you explained it originally and the pix all made sense then

[dzJeepChic 2,377]

My Spot Adventure of the Agua Caliente Trip

[dzJeepChic 2,377]

Video from the Agua Caliente trip:

 

 





 

 

 

I didn't get much video the 1st day so this is mainly the side trip into the wash. Diane

[klaykrusher 54]

Haha, very cool video D. Was 50 degrees back in OH while you guys were about 100. I think I'll take the 100....

[teddyearp 0]

Definately a very nicely done video!!!

[matt@expaz 2]

Woohoo! I found it. By shear luck, I found out what we were all puzzled by during the first day of this trip.

 

 

 

 

This is what is called a rock crushing arrastra, used to, yep you guessed it, crush rocks. This was the most simple method of crushing rocks to get the ore from them and was introduced here by the Spanish in the 1500's (though I doubt this one is that old :-). More information on these can be found here: http://www.grovelandmuseum.org/Arrastra.html

 

There is another one by Oracle along the Charouleau Gap trail, though I have not seen it personally and didn't know it was there until I found it on the AzBackcountryadventures website (picture can be found here). The one along the Gap trail looks very cool and has given me another excuse to run the Gap again (like I needed one).

[6x6pinz 1]

Off topic but since you mentioned it, I need to pre run the Charouleau Gap Trail in preperation for the SWPA annual Treffen in October. Should be looking at doing it sometime in late August to early September.

 

BTW thanks for the info on the arrastra's, kind of neat to figure out what some of the relics left behind were used for.

[theksmith 3,667]

i've seen some arrastras on the ground before that were mule-driven, but never had seen a more "modern" one with gears!

[matt@expaz 2]

6x6pinz,

 

You should have a good time doing the gap, hopefully, the monsoons have hit and there's water and it's a little cooler when you go. Most of the road has been "improved" and is fairly easy except for down in the wash, where it still is fun. Make sure you get an early start. It can be a long run, especially if you want to do some exploring and take your time. We usually hit the trailhead between 6-7 am and are not done until 3-4 pm.

 

Shoot me a line if you want someone to go with, and I can see if I can go. I was hoping I could swing another trip there to do some searching for the arrastra.

 

Off topic but since you mentioned it, I need to pre run the Charouleau Gap Trail in preperation for the SWPA annual Treffen in October. Should be looking at doing it sometime in late August to early September.

 

BTW thanks for the info on the arrastra's, kind of neat to figure out what some of the relics left behind were used for.