Larry K. 0 Posted January 26, 2013 Saturday morning 13 rigs met at the entrance to the AFNM. We divided into two groups, with 6 rigs going out to Perry Mesa to hike into Baby Canyon, and 7 rigs heading to the south end to explore the sites there. The hike into the Baby Canyon site took about 40 minutes, with some careful picking of ones way through some rock outcroppings. One of the more interesting aspects of this site is its location. Sited atop a land mass rising out of the canyon would have made it easily defendable, yet provided good access to water and agricultural areas below. When I exited the area I climbed out to the SE hoping to find some more sites up on the mesa edge. I did find two additional ruins about a quarter mile SE of the main site. One with about 15 rooms, and another smaller site with about 5 rooms. I had to depart the area early so hopefully, some others will post some picks of the afternoons trip to Pueblo Pato, located nearby. Good weather, good company, and no problems. A great day! Larry K. Stumpjumper Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
dzJeepChic 2,897 Posted January 26, 2013 Glad you guys had a good day, wish we could've made it. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Curly 1,317 Posted January 26, 2013 We had a good time yesterday. The weather was great, lots of indian ruins, petroglyphs and mining ruins. Our group headed off to the Brooklyn mine area. There are lots of ruins in the area, the largest has about 100 rooms. We found several 'glyph sites that had dozens of images, including some that looked like an elephant and giraffes?! Trailwise, the road was pretty decent except for the last stretch which was very rocky. Not big rocks, just rough. There was also a short section where we had to use 4 low to climb down (and back out) of one area. Curly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ob1jeeper 849 Posted January 26, 2013 Glad you guys had a good day, wish we could've made it.Was a fun day "D"... We missed having you & "G" with us... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Russ Chung 54 Posted January 27, 2013 I was in AzJeep4Me's group. Our group included LadyBug, ob1jeeper, Curly, Nelson Avery, Saltman, Scramblin_Jim and myself. Our first stop was at the Brooklyn Basin site. Curly has already posted pictures of some of the pictographs in the area. Here are some pictures of the Brooklyn Basin ruins. Archeologists estimate that the Brooklyn Basin ruins once consisted of about 300 rooms: There were pottery shards throughout the site. This one was unusually colorful: We also explored the Brooklyn Mine. Here are some buildings we found near the mine: (continued) Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Russ Chung 54 Posted January 27, 2013 After lunch, we headed to the site of the Squaw Creek ruins. This site was estimated to have had 150-200 rooms. The bluff below the Squaw Creek ruins contained many pictographs: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ladybug 699 Posted January 27, 2013 Oh what a fun day it was! And so very good to see so many friends once more! And the rain held off all day! It actually started sprinkling just as we finished airing up! Who could've asked for more?! And Holy Hare! - what an eye opener! I had no idea that there were this many Indian ruins in this area! And petroglyphs!!! Wow and Wow! And Jim's book was right....when you get to Squaw Creek ruins, take the trail about 25-30 ft below the top and you will just find all kinds of petroglyphs! Tim and Russ have done a great job of posting pics! and I'm having a bugger of a time with photobucket tonight, so maybe if it works better tomorrow, I'll be able to add a few more. But until then, many many thanks to Jim for putting this run together and for Larry and Roy for taking care of Group 1 while Jim took care of us in group 2! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kmayesaz 1 Posted January 27, 2013 Had a great time on Friday. Here are a few of my pictures from the other group. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kmayesaz 1 Posted January 27, 2013 Here is the link to my album. https://plus.google.com/photos/102280646424056904561/albums/5837957153513499985?authkey=CNWD1b-8xamNrgE Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ladybug 699 Posted January 27, 2013 Good Morning! Remember Group 2 went to the Brooklyn Basin and found one old mine shaft, a few old buildings, but didn't hike back to the Brooklyn Mine as it was back up the wash.....Well re: the Brooklyn Mine... The funniest thing....I've been reading this book which is actually just a short group of compiled memories by Claire Champie Cordes. Claire's family ranched and mined in the Turkey Creek area. The town of Turkey Creek is now called Cleator. One of her siblings ran the Castle Hot Springs for years. Claire married Fred Cordes - yep, his family was from the Cordes Springs area. These families ran in and out of Crown King (for the dance fun) and Prescott and Phoenix (for St Joes Hospital) but really ranched and mined in the hills down out of Crown King - Humbug Creek, Turkey Creek, Bumble Bee, etc. Claire was born Feb 7, 1900 - just so you know about what time frame the memories are from. Well last night I read a few more chapters....and here's a quote from her memories, approx 1930's: "Mrs. Rose and her two sons lived not more than a mile from my home at Bumble Bee. Their home was made of old boards, cardboard from old boxes and sacks of cloth hung here and there. Mrs. Rose was a sweet, kind old lady who was crippled with arthritis but managed to keep her little place clean. A strong smell of Clorox always prevailed. The boys worked whereever they could find a job. One of them had epilepsy. A siezure could come on at any time so his brother had to be with him whenever he drove the old pickup they had. The boys became acquainted with the old caretaker at an abandoned mine, the Brooklyn. They found that they could buy one of the old buildings for about two hundred dollars. Thinking we might be interested in the lumber from the building, they offered to take it down and deliver the whole thing to us for that price. Fred needed lumber to build a barn and bunkhouse so he gave them the money and they delivered load after load of good lumber. There were also several pieces of fine furniture and a large mirror that had been left behind that came with the deal. The place had been abandoned for forty years. Fred did give the boys some extra money for all their work." Just found it interesting and funny, since we were just there on Friday! smiles, ladybug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
