The Weather Forecast Says Rain.
It was cold and cloudy when we met the Monday group at the Arco Station on the east side of town. The forecast is for showers and wind today.
I think this is only the second ride this season where it wasn’t sunny and warm on our rides.
Get Going.
We met at the Arco Station on the east side of town. There were five jeeps on this ride. Once everyone arrived we headed east on I-10.
We took the US 60 exit and headed for the town of Hope. When we were a few miles beyond Hope we turned north on the Black Pass Road.
We were here a few weeks ago with the Wednesday group. One thing about going out with two groups you end up repeating a lot of rides.
Air Down and Hit the Trail.
Once we were off the highway we aired down the tires .
Sue opened the gate and we were on our way.
Wishing for Rain.
The dust has been real bad on the trails this season so we are really hoping for some rain.
R/R Trestles.
We drove along the Black Pass Trail for a mile or so with the train tracks on our right. We turned right onto a smaller trail which took us under the train trestle.
We will cross under the tracks two more times before the end of the day.
An Old Mine.
After a short distance we dropped into a wash and followed it east a ways.
We took a trail that went out of the wash and wound around the hills.
The trail went past an old ore processing area. The only things left were some concrete tanks.
Further along the trail we came to the mine itself.
The last time we were here we didn’t explore the tunnel but this time Lise, Frank and I went into the tunnel.
The beginning of the tunnel was pretty cool but as we went further back the air became warm and stuffy.
There were a lot of Bats further back in the cave and the floor was covered with guano, hence the bad smell.
We went about one hundred yards into the mountain to where the tunnel split. From this spot we could see the ends of both tunnels. We tried to get some pictures of the bats flying around but couldn’t catch them.
Just as we turned around to leave, I noticed some Stalactites hanging from the ceiling. I only know of one other mine tunnel in this area that has Stalactites. The last time I was there someone had broken them off.
We left the mine and headed back the way we came, dropping back in the wash and following it…
back under the trestle.
An Other Trestle.
Climbing out of the wash, we followed the R/R tracks on our right.
The trail turned right and went under another trestle.
Past the trestle we crossed a large flat plain.
A Fun Wash.
Eventually we dropped into another wash and followed it north.
We drove over a few rocks that weren’t very challenging.
Wild Flowers.
Patti took this pictures of what we call Fairy Dusters. They are just starting to bloom.
Here is a close up picture of an Ocotillo branch with new leaves.
Better Rocks.
We came to a set of rocks that were a bit more challenging. With a bit of guidance from Denis they were easy to get over.
Lunch.
After a little while we stopped for lunch in the wash.
Patti Does Rock Crawling.
After lunch we continued up the wash and came to another small rocky spot. We were spread out along the wash so after the first jeeps went over the rocks Frank and I had to walk a ways down the wash to get our jeeps. Frank got there well before me and was driving up the wash with Patti following him.
I asked here if she was going to drive over the obstacle and she said sure so I got in and we continued down the wash.
Denis was really surprised to see Patti in the drivers seat.
“Are you sure?” He asked.
”Of course.” We replied, “lets do it.”
Denis guided her through the first set of rocks.
And over the next rocks.
He got her a little to far to the left on the next one and the jeep rear axel got hung up on a big rock.
Patti backed up a little. Denis and Frank put some rocks in front of the rear tires.
After that she got over the rock. Patti did a great job for her first time rock crawling and I am very proud of her.
Out of the Wash.
We found a trail that went out of the wash and followed it through the hills.
Eventually we came to the last Trestle to go under.
If you notice there is some tape closing off the left side of the trestle.
Once we went through there we looked back and see that the reason for the tape is, that the left side has a from 2 to 4 foot drop off.
That could be pretty surprising if you came over that side at speed. It could be disastrous.
Eeahh, What’s up Dock?
We drove down the wash on the other side of the trestle and stopped to discuss how to get back to the highway.
While we were there Patti noticed a sculpture that someone had carved into a rock.
It looks a little like Buggs Bunny.
Airing Up and Heading Home.
We got to the highway and aired up the tires.
Diane, Johnie, Jo Ann, Dave, Patti and I decided to stop at the Mountain Quail Café for supper.
It was another fun ride.
The rain never materialized.
Thanks Sue, for the pictures of Patti rock crawling.
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