Jeeping Near Mammoth, AZ.

On Our Way.

Got up around 5:45 and worked on the blog. Once that was done I went to the Hotel Atrium for their buffet breakfast. It wasn’t bad; they had scrambled eggs, bacon, sausage, waffles, fruit, oatmeal, coffee, tea and juice. Not to bad for a free breakfast.
At 8:45 we left the hotel and drove north out of Oro Valley. We met Lillie and Tom near their place and continued north to highway 77. We turned northeast on 77 and drove to the town of Mammoth.

Here we topped off and headed east into the mountains.

We stop to air down.

We drove about a mile and had to stop and sign in (controlled access).

Once we were signed in we headed out the dusty trail.

Lots of nice scenery along the way.

This kind of reminded us of the Castle Dome near Quartzsite.

Eventually the wide road became a smaller trail as it wound through the mountains and Saguaro forest.

Cottonwood Canyon.

We drove down into a very nice canyon with a live stream and lots of Cottonwood trees.

The trees are in their fall colors.

This it the first creek crossing. You can’t see the water as it is behind the first bump in the trail.

We stopped here in the shade for a break. Here you can see the small creek.

After the break we continued out the trail.

Cactus.

Patti got a picture of this Century plant. She thought it looked like a starburst.

We also saw a rare Crested Saguaro.

And standing Saguaro skeletons.

Lots of Trails.

Once we got back in the mountains we could see trails going every where.

We drove up this trail to a dead end.

That rock up there had a nice seam of Chrysocola.

We turned around and headed back. I didn’t notice these settling ponds on the way up.

Mining Areas.

There are lots of mines back in this country. Here we are driving past a huge tailing pile.

A little further down the trail we came to this mine. It looks like they were getting material from up the steep mountain and loading it by the creek notice the bridge they put across the creek.

Moving Along and Graffiti.

After spending a few minutes checking things out here, we continued along the trail.

We saw several places where people have written on the rocks along the trail.

I’m not sure what this means.

Lunch.

It was very cold today with a strong north wind. We needed to find a sheltered place for lunch. We drove down into this canyon…

and crossed another creek.

We continued along until we found a spot where the wind was a little less and stopped for lunch.

While we were there we were bussed by a large military jet plane.

A Silted in Dam.

We had our lunch at the end of the trail. After lunch we turned around and headed back and turned off on another trail. We passed this old dam on the creek.

There was no pond behind the dam as it was all silted in.

Farther down the trail Patti got a picture of this bent tree in fall colors.

More Mining.

As we drove along we came to this mining area. We noticed this crack in the mountain where the miners dug out a seam of ore.

In the bottom of the canyon we could see this abandoned building. I think it must have had something to do with the operation of the mine. I don’t think any one would build a house in the bottom of a wash.

More Cactus.

As we were leaving this area we noticed these Pin Cushion Cactus.

A little further along, Patti spotted this Century plant just starting to sent up its stalk.

Mining Stuff Every Where.

As we drove along it felt like everywhere we looked we saw evidence of mining.

Holes blasted in the hill side.

Tailing Piles and concrete structures.

Locked Gate.

We drove past the above Tailing pile. The map we had said that the route went this way.

We came to a sign that said…

Of course, we being the intrepid explorers we are, we ignored the sign and continued out the road. After about a mile and a half we came to the Locked gate.

I guess we will have to go out the way we came in. I think the state did this so you can’t make a loop through the mountains. You have to come out the way you came in so you can sign out on their list.

Here we are on the way out.

Going Home.

On the way home we stopped at Bubb’s Grub a Barbeque place for dinner. The ribs were really good.

Okay that was our ride for Tuesday.
On Wednesday we are going to do The Charouleau Gap Trail.

Oro Valley Adventure day 1.

Heading for Oro Valley.

We met the rest of the group at the Arco Station on the east end of town. This time there were four couples. There was Cheryl and Dennis, Becky and Dennis, Lillie and Tom and Patti and I.

About 8:00, we headed east on I-10.

We drove to where Highway 85 goes south to Gila Bend and turned south.

Margie’s Pass trail.

About half way between I-10 and Gila Bend we turned east off the highway and followed a trail across the desert and around some mountains. The name of the trail is the Margie’s Pass trail.

Here we are airing down the tires.

The trail was a little dusty at first.

As we got into the hills we saw many Saguaro cactus.

The hills are small here and the trail is real easy.

We stopped for a break and Patti saw this old dead Saguaro.

Lunch In Gila Bend 

Around Noon we got to Gila Bend and had lunch at Carl’s Jr.

Trail is Closed.

After lunch we headed east from Gila Bend and got on this secondary highway.

We were looking for a trail that old Butterfield Stage route. Unfortunately the trail was closed. Bummer!

In Oro Valley.

We got to Oro Valley around 4:30, found our Motel and got checked in.

Good Mexican Dinner.

Across the street from the motel is the Guadalajara Grill so we went there to eat. The food was very good. The tab was about $20. a piece.

After dinner we went back to our rooms. I was so tired that I fell asleep within a few minutes of sitting on the bed.

Okay, that was the ride to Oro Valley.

Back to the Old Routine and Prepping for an Adventure.

The old Routine.

Saturday, Patti went to do laundry and I did house work.
It feels like we never left.

In the afternoon we went to see our friend Debby.
I get two haircuts per year; one when we get down here and one just before we leave in the spring. Debby dose them both. Patti also got a hare cut.

Prepping for an Adventure.

Monday morning, we are going to Oro Valley, AZ. for 5 days of jeeping.
This blog should be a bit more interesting for the next week.

Wednesday and Thursday.

Wednesday

I was setting up the the TV Wednesday morning and found that I had forgotten an important cable.
We drove up to Parker, to the Walmart there and did some shopping. I was able to get the cable I needed.
We went to lunch at the Crossroads Café. It was good as usual.

Back in Q.

When we got back I continued setting up the the TV and had it going in time for Patti to watch  Survivor.

Thursday.

Lunch at Al’s.

Our friends Nancy and Rick came down from Lake Havasu City. We met them at Silly Al’s Pizza.

Most of the Wednesday jeep group was there.

We had a nice lunch and visit with Nancy and Rick.

Pretty much goofed off the rest of the day.

Okay that’s all for now.

Coarsegold to Quartzsite.

Monday.

Heading South

We left Connie and Bruce’s around 9:30 and drove to Fresno. We cruised through Fresno with no problems and got on US-99 heading south. Our plan was to go as far as Daggett where we will spend the night.
The ride to Daggett was uneventful and we arrived at 4:00.

We spent the night at the Desert Springs RV Park. It was much nicer than I had expected.

The spots were level and shaded. Here is our spot.

The park even had a small fishing lake for the kids.

We spent a quiet night and had a good sleep.

Tuesday.

Daggett to Quartzsite.

We got on I-40 around 8:30 and headed east. When we got to US-95 at Needles we headed south. The whole drive was easy with no serious traffic or problems.
We arrived in Q at 1:30.

We got set up and around 4:30 went to Taco Mio for lunch/supper.

Cards.

Around 6:00 we went to Becky & Dennis’ to play cards
(Five Crowns).
There were six couples so we had two tables with the guys at one table and the women at the other.
It felt like we never left for the winter as we picked up right where we left off last spring.
It was fun and nice to see all our friends again.

Ok, That’s it, we are here for the winter.

Finally Underway.

But First.

I would like to introduce the newest member of the family.

This is Raymond our first great-child.  Ain’t he cute? He is our grandson Johnathen’s boy.

Getting Going.

We left Santa Rosa around 8:30 Saturday morning.
Our destination is Coarsegold, California where my niece and her family lives. The plan is to spend Saturday evening and Sunday with Connie and Bruce and will head south on Monday

The Trip.

We headed east on Highway 12  to I-80, then to I-5, where we headed south.
We had Connie and Bruce’s address in the GPS and were following the instructions. At the Madera turn off, the GPS told us to head east on highway 145 . In Madera the GPS put us on a back road (400). This road is a narrow winding road that goes past Hensley Lake. The road is not even on the AAA map. We followed this narrow winding road all the way and the GPS did eventually get us to Connie and Bruce’s Around 1:30.

At Connie and Bruce’s.

Connie and Bruce have about 5 acres and a Very nice house. All the land is usable. They have a nice big barn. In the past this was a horse ranch.

This is their fenced in patio and pool area.

We spent the afternoon visiting with Connie, Bruce and their 11 year old granddaughter, Lila, A delightful child.

Connie and Lila.

For supper Connie cooked up some brats and made a real good potato soup. Yumm. After supper we visited until bed time.

Okay, we made it to Coarsegold safe and sound.

Sunday.

The First Jeep Ride.

Around noon on Sunday, Connie’s sun-in-law Gibson came by and we visited for  while then decided to take a jeep ride. This will be the first of the season.

Just before we left this big Hawk landed on a power pole about 20 feet away. I took it as a good omen for the days ride.

We took a lot of roads that I don’t remember. Here we are we heading for the town of Coarsegold where we gassed up the jeeps.

From there we drove along the west side of Bass Lake.

The lake is pretty low right now.

Fall Colors.

After passing Bass Lake we continued on pavement for a while longer but we were enjoying the Fall colors.

This is Gibson our guide being very attentive and making sure us old folks are ok. Nice kid.

As it turns out that big rock on the left is our destination.
I think it is called Shuteye Peak.

Finally on the Dirt.

We stopped here to air down the tires.

The trail was a bit dusty but other than that it was a good trail.

There were a few stretches of pavement here and there. It looks like the road might have been paved at one time but never maintained.

This bit takes you along these interesting rocks.

This is  nice ride through the beautiful Sierra Mountains and the trail gets more interesting as we go along.

This is a neat spot.

Here we are approaching our destination.

Almost there.

Here we are at a saddle near the top. This is where we stopped.

On the right side there is this really cool rock feature.

On the left is a pile of rocks that people use for rock climbing practice.

Between them is this view.

Heading Down the Mountain.

We decided to head home from here. So we turned around and  headed down the mountain.

We drove past what, in Spring time must be a nice waterfall. It looks like it would be fun to drive up it.

A little farther we crossed a bridge over this pretty little creek with some small waterfalls.

Back at C&B’s.

We got back to Connie and Bruce’s around 4:00.
I reattached the tow bar to the jeep and pumped up the tires.

We visited for a while and then had supper.  Connie made some Green enchiladas my favorite and they were excellent. Connie is a real good cook.

After supper we visited some more until bed time.

We had a real nice visit with Connie and Bruce.
Thank you so much for your hospitality and the great food.

That was our visit with Connie and Bruce. The next stop is supposed to be in Daggett, CA where we plan to spend Monday night.

One More Day.

The Jeep.

At 9:00 am, we dropped the jeep  off at 4Wheel Parts to have the front drivers side lower control arm mount replaced.

Washing the RV

I started washing the RV yesterday. I got the roof done but by then I was pooped. So I will finish washing the RV today.

Jeep is Done.

Around 12:00 the shop called and said that the jeep was ready to go. I had just finished the RV,s roof so I took a short break before we went to picked it up.
When we got the jeep home I put the tow bar on it, so it is ready to go.

Just a few more things to do and we will be off Saturday morning.

Okay that’s it for now.