Ladybug 505 Posted January 22, 2014 This trip runs the cherry stem that cuts between 2 wilderness areas...the Hummingbird Spring Wilderness and the Big Horn Mountain Wilderness. "Cherry Stem" is a new trail term for me - didn't know that's what its called, but I seem to have a fascination running the trails between wilderness areas, as some others will attest to! (Burro Creek yet to come!!) :) The general area is west of Phoenix, south of Wickenburg, bordered on the west by the Harquahala Peak, north of I-10, just in case you are wondering! We will meet Thursday, March 6 at 9:30 am at the McDonalds in Wickenburg. We will drive south on Vulture Mine Road, only for about 5 miles, and then hit dirt, turning east and go in "behind" Vulture Peak. We will check out the Big Spar Mine briefly, and an old stone cabin, and then continue south. We will later reconnect with Vulture Mine Road and then travel south to the Tonopah-Belmont Mine. The Tonopah-Belmont Mine was open periodically from the 1860s to 1942. While it was operational, there were no fatalities; its 2 fatalities came from "local mine explorers" in 1990 and 2002. The main shaft of 500 feet and its many adits (horizontal entrances to the mine) are all gated off due to these fatalities. But we will check out the remains of the old stamp mill and mine tailings. This mine had 70 different minerals, but was mined primarily for gold, silver, lead, and copper. We will camp about a mile or two north of this area. On Friday, March 7, we will drive south to the aquaduct and head west and then north, heading on the trail that bisects the 2 wilderness areas. We will take some time to try to find the Hummingbird Springs, lunching here, and then drive out the cherry stem and head over to the Evening Star Mine, where we will camp for the second night. (Unless we find a cool camp site before then!) There doesn't seem to be many who are aware of this cherry stem trail, so I don't expect we will see many others out here. On Saturday, MArch 8, we will exit to Eagle Eye Road, with detours to the Gold Bullion Mine and/or El Tigre Mine. We will get to Aguila (on Route 60) around 2 pm. This trip is meant to be a nice easy and scenic ride; its primary focus is to enjoy scenery and allow plenty of time at campfires for visiting with friends. Info on a potluck dinner to follow later. After leaving the Belmont Mine, it seems that we will be heading into a rather remote region. This trip is primitive camping, so you will need to bring water and firewood. The total miles are about 140, from Wickenburg fill-up to Aguila re-fuel. We will be on cb channel 4. The trip is limited to 10 vehicles. And if the weather turns bad, we will re-schedule. Once past the Belmont Mine, this is an exploratory trip. We shall have fun checking out new areas! Hope you can come! Leader: Ladybug Who's coming?! Curly AZJeep4Me SlyDawg Saltman GearHead 01wj LarryK Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GRUNT 87 Posted January 22, 2014 Uuugggghhh, I cannot build my Jeep fast enough! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SlyDawg 14 Posted January 22, 2014 I'm in. Thanks Roy Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
azjeep4me 1 Posted January 22, 2014 Sign me up please Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
johnpa 799 Posted January 22, 2014 johnpa is in but i will be coming in on thursday night. i will find your camp if this is ok. john Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ladybug 505 Posted January 22, 2014 johnpa is in but i will be coming in on thursday night. i will find your camp if this is ok. john Yepper! We will get you to it easy enough! It will be fun to have you along!! smiles, ladybug Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guardrail 1 Posted January 23, 2014 Hoping to have Big Jake either up and running or replaced by then, count me as a maybe. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ehall 8 Posted January 23, 2014 Wish I could go but we are in an outage at work March 1-10. If you have any questions about the area I can probably answer them. I know the area well. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ladybug 505 Posted January 23, 2014 Hoping to have Big Jake either up and running or replaced by then, count me as a maybe. Sweet! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
