Desoto Mine Trail

[Number7 89]

Just getting us started - post your pics from yesterday's adventure here!

 

One of my favs:

 

We had a blast! We'll post more pictures later today.

 

GnD

[dzJeepChic 2,897]

Airing down:

 

 

 

At DeSoto Mine:

 

 

 

 

Leaving DeSoto Mine

 

 

 

 

 

On the trail:

 

 

 

 

Looking back at Jack approacing the 'Big Ledge' that took everybody by surprise:

 

 

At least we knew where we were going:

 

 

Lunch Break:

 

 

Continued:

V

V

V

[dzJeepChic 2,897]

The only real obstacle was only an obstacle because it was wet:

 

 

Jack decided to see what it would be like to slide sideways about 3 feet on it:

 

 

Snow!

 

 

Guess who wasn't dressed for cold weather?

 

 

Regrouping where the trail meets Senator Highway:

 

 

Our day run became a bit of a snow run on the way to Crown King:

 

 

 

 

We opted to go back via Lake Pleasant. While taking a break at the Oro Belle Mine site it began to snow in earnest:

 

 

 

 

It continued to snow as we made our way down the trail and even began to stick in places, and then our day run / snow run became a night run!

 

It was a fun day, and great to see everyone who came out in the cold weather to play. Nice meeting you Dead-End-Joe and all your friends - looking forward to wheeling with you all again. Until then take care and stay warm!

d

[CampnFever 0]

Great pics.

But I don't see "e" on this trip. XJ's love dirt and snow:D

 

You folks have some beautiful country in Arizona.

[Dead end Joe 1]

Thanks to all who were on the run. You made us feel right at home. It was a great day of wheeling through some wildly varying conditions. I look forward to running with you again and meeting more of the club members.

[theksmith 5,778]

thanks to everyone that came out, had a great time.

 

here are my pics from the trip: http://picasaweb.google.com/kristoffersmith/20091230DeSotoMineBackroadToCrownKing

[Russ Chung 54]

This trail is rated “difficult” in the Charles Wells Guide to Arizona Backroads and 4 Wheel Drive Trails (Trail #35). Seven Offroad Adventures members and one guest traveled the trail in seven Jeeps on December 30, 2009.

Kristoffer (Theksmith) was trail leader, in his black Grand Cherokee

Scott (ScottL) in his blue XJ

Mike (DeadEndJoe) in his green TJ

John (guest) in his gray TJ

George and Diane (Number 7) in their gray TJ

Jack (Macinyart) and Mike (Gearhead) in Jack’s white YJ

Russ (Russ Chung) in his khaki TJ

 

The route described in the Wells Guide starts at the Senator Highway and travels southeast to Cleator, but on this run, we traveled in the opposite direction, starting at Cleator, heading northwest on FS 259B to the Desoto Mine, then continuing on FS 9266R and FR 89 to the Senator Highway. The first part of the route, on FS 259B between Cleator and the Desoto Mine is easy and can be done in a stock rig in two-wheel drive. In the distance is Scott’s blue XJ, followed by John’s gray TJ, George and Diane’s gray TJ and Jack’s white YJ:

 

 

This is the trail as it approaches the site of the Desoto Mine. Mike’s green TJ is followed by John’s gray TJ, George and Diane’s gray TJ and Jack’s white YJ:

 

 

A view of the trail from the Desoto Mine back toward Cleator:

 

 

The Crown King Road as viewed from the site of the Desoto Mine:

 

 

The lower portal of the Desoto Mine:

 

 

Kris’ black WJ and GnD’s gray TJ are parked near the upper portal of the Desoto Mine, while John’s gray TJ is headed up the switchbacks:

 

 

The switchbacks as viewed from the upper portal of the Desoto Mine:

 

 

Exploring the mine:

 

 

(continued)

[Russ Chung 54]

After exploring what remains of the Desoto Mine, we backtracked slightly and continued northwest on FS 9268R. This trail is more difficult and requires high clearance and 4-wheel drive. Kris’ black WJ is in the lead, followed by Scott’s blue XJ, Mike’s green TJ, John’s gray TJ and GnD’s gray TJ (the one with the white roof):

 

 

Mike’s TJ, followed by John’s gray TJ, GnD’s gray TJ and Jack’s white YJ:

 

 

Near the junction of TR 202 we met a volunteer who was doing trail maintenance. He invited us to eat lunch by the fire ring:

 

 

After lunch, we continued on FS 9268R. This is Mike’s TJ climbing a v-notch:

 

 

The trail crossed an intermittent streambed:

 

 

We joined FR 89 and continued on an easy, two-wheel drive road until joining the Senator Highway.

 

 

(continued)

[Russ Chung 54]

It was still early when we finished the Desoto Mine trail, so instead of heading home via Mayer, AZ-69 and I-17, we headed toward Crown King on the Senator Highway:

 

 

There were patches of snow in shaded areas of the road:

 

 

Jack (Macinyart) and Mike (Gearhead) continued through Crown King to I-17 and home, while the rest of us took the back way to Lake Pleasant. The upper section of the road between the Senator Highway and Orobelle has been graded:

 

 

The graded portion of the trail ended about a half-mile above Orobelle Mine:

 

 

 

The creek crossing at Orobelle:

 

 

 

Continuing down the trail:

 

 

 

We finished the trail after dark:

 

 

We arrived at Lake Pleasant at about 7:30 pm.

[Number7 89]

Great report Russ. Thanks George:cool: