Asbestos Point Trail Damage and Coon Creek Ruins Pictures

[dzJeepChic 157]

Yesterday ORP member AZOutlaw480 - Jason led a day trip that was supposed to end up at Asbestos Point where there is a mine and some old mining equipment. Turned out that the trail to the mine is completely washed out and in serious need of trail repair beyond our capability yesterday. Luckily Jason came up with an alternate trail ride in the same vicinity, so instead we went up Cherry Creek Road before turning off to a place he knows of near Coon Creek where there are some amazing ruins.

 

A sign at the trail head to Asbestos Point explains why/how the trail got so washed out.

 

 

Beginning of the trail

 

 

The washout was very close to the beginning of the trail, here are some pictures of it. You can see that the trail is basically gone, but it looks like with enough man-power rocks could get rearranged so you could drive through. I'm going to as lofreq Jeff if he will mention this at a TRAL meeting, maybe they can get a group together for a trail repair.

 

 

 

 

 

 

So we decided to go to Coon Creek to check out the ruins, and on the way we stopped at an abandonned homestead we had passed earlier. It was in a very sweet location with a wonderful view of Roosevelt Lake. There was a built-in pool behind the house; not something you see very often at these old places!

 

 

 

 

On the way back to the turnoff to the ruins we met a couple driving a Jeep on Cherry Creek Road. They decided to go with us to check out the ruins so then we had 6 Jeeps.

 

 

Apparently somebody thought it was a good idea to throw a couple of tires onto this saguaro cactus.

 

 

We could see this white YJ from a long way away, and it turned out the family was having mechanical issues with it. Something was the matter with the sector shaft not seating properly so they couldn't steer, and George and Jason helped them fix it.

 

 

 

The scenery was spectacular as we got nearer to the ruins.

 

 

 

It was a very short hike to the ruins. Along the way Jason showed us a couple of 'paint mines' that the natives used to procure the dyes used to color pottery. The ruins there are of the Mogollon Indians from around 1200 - 1400 A.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Roosevelt Lake coming back into view as we made our way back.

 

 

We aired up at a park next to a diversion dam at Roosevelt Lake. It looks like people enjoy playing in the water there, we saw some kids at the other end with inner tubes walking out onto the cement.

 

 

It was a fun day; made some new friends, helped some fellow Jeepers, learned some history, and soaked up some sun and beautiful scenery. Thanks Jason for leading this trip!!

 

Link to the whole photo album: https://www.flickr.com/photos/41778822@N02/albums/72157682587940436/with/34081340475/

[theksmith 250]

sounds like a great time, thanks for the trip report!

[ehall 2]

Nice pictures. I bet the people in the yj were glad to see you guys. That's a really long walk to anywhere.

[Azoutlaw480 0]

The folks in the White YJ said when they saw us coming over the ridge they knew they had been saved!!

 

Nice people. Beautiful day.

[Azoutlaw480 0]

If you guys were interested in learning more about the Mogollon Natives and the area,

this is a great book!

 

 

Grasshopper Pueblo: A Story of Archaeology and Ancient Life

[kaspily 2]

Looks like a fun day. Thanks for the book recommendation as well. I am always looking for books like this!

[owenb_ 0]

TRAL has decided to take a look at this on 4/29 and see about doing some basic repairs to the trail. They are looking for additional volunteers if anyone is interested! I should have more details soon and will post it up as another run.

[dzJeepChic 157]

TRAL has decided to take a look at this on 4/29 and see about doing some basic repairs to the trail. They are looking for additional volunteers if anyone is interested! I should have more details soon and will post it up as another run.

 

That's awesome! I wish we could go help but we have prior commitment.

[Azoutlaw480 0]

I wont be able to make that weekend. If anything changes Ill head out.

[dzJeepChic 157]

TRAL has decided to take a look at this on 4/29 and see about doing some basic repairs to the trail. They are looking for additional volunteers if anyone is interested! I should have more details soon and will post it up as another run.

 

Following up. Did they work on the trail yet or just assess it? any news?