The Rough Riders, a 4 wheel drive group from our park, goes out every Friday on some kind of back country adventure. Usually, we have something else going, so haven't gone out with them before. This last Friday, the trip involved a ride south of our park which goes east around the back side of Picket Post Mountain and near an abandoned mine before ending in the town of Superior about 15 miles east of our park. The "trail" is called Telegraph Canyon Trail, and since we haven't been all the way through it, we decided to join them for this fun trip.
This is a map of the trail we took.
There were ten vehicles, all but one a Jeep, which were loaded with up to 4 people in each vehicle. I don’t remember the exact count of participants, but there was quite a group.
This is in the park and folks are lining up and discussing the drive.
Once on the trail, some had to let air out of their tires (makes for an easier drive over rough rocks and such.
Of course, we aren't the only ones out playing today. This is part of a huge group of ATVers that came by while we were stopped.
This is just a quick shot out of our window while on the trail.
Around Noon, we were near the Ajax Mine and it was a great spot for taking a break. We stayed here for a while just so some could explore. Ken even found some nice rocks around one of the shafts (have I said before that he is also a rock hound?).
This is shot of our group. That cute, white Wrangler on the little knoll at the left of the first picture is ours. Above us is one section of the old mine.
It was quite an operation, but didn't stay in operation very long.
This is all I know or have heard of the mine:
The Ajax Mine began in 1915, and is the oldest with the largest ore deposits in the area. Most of the smaller veins in the area branch off from it. Other mines in the area include: Orphan Boy, Grandfather, Jumbo, Silver Pick, Woodpecker, and Silver Crystal. The mine produced lead, zinc, silver, and copper. It operated for a short time, then was in operation again in 1926, and was for sale in 1942 for an asking price of $45,000. It again operated in 1963 until mid-1964, employing 5 men. Operation was halted while trying to obtain financing for new mill equipment that would separate the lead and zinc sulphides. It has not operated since.
This is one very deep shaft!!
After lunch, we drove on and at the top of the hills, took a quick shot back at where we had stopped for lunch. Long way back there. You can just see the mine toward the top center of the picture.
Driving on, we finally see Picket Post's back side.
There are more neat rock formations before we get to Superior.
Once in Superior, I didn't take any more pictures, but most of us stopped at the local Dairy Queen for some "cool" refreshments, then drove home where some had "happy hour." We didn't do the happy hour, but instead took some friends to see Superior's "lost cemetery" where the common law wife of Wyatt Earp is buried (that is another long story). Sorry, no pictures here either (maybe in another posting).
After touring the cemetery, we headed home for a quiet evening.
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