MTB Journey to the Bronx...Mine

Directions: The Bronx Mine is only a mile or so off the US 60 but its not easy to get there. The old mine road is blocked by a ditch and rocks. There isn't good area to park near the road. I ended up parking on the other side of the 60 and riding my bike to the road. There is an old gate that you can get through to get to the road. The Google Map coordinates for the road 33.361712, -110.975440. It's about 1.5 miles East of Top of the World.

Good for Dogs: Not so much, with out better parking and access. I can't see walking my pack along the 60.

Molybdenite...I think

The Bronx Mine was worked in 1942 as a Molybdenite, Silver, Gold and Lead mine. The property was originally worked in 1890 for Gold, Silver and Copper. I found a collapsed adit and shaft that i believe is relatively deep. There are some interesting rocks in the tailings but the mine itself isn't all that amazing.

I wasn't expecting much from this mine but I was determined to get there. There are several roads that aren't accessible because of private land in Top of the World and that pisses me off. The terrain in that area is fascinating. The old mine road to the Bronx mine was a great downhill and there appear to miles more in the area. I got off to a late start and by the time I explored the mine is was getting dark. I will be back to explore the roads some more and other workings in the area. 

Collapsed Tunnel at the Bronx Mine

The Oxbow Mine

Directions: The Oxbow Mine is located off of Highway 87 near Payson, from the Bush Highway, take Highway 87, 46.5 miles to Forest Road 537. Stay on this road for two miles, where you come to the mine road on your left. The Oxbow mine is about .5 miles.

This was quick and easy trip to the Oxbow Mine, which was a gold, copper and silver (plus a boat load of other minerals.) Gold was discovered here in 1875 and the area was mined from 1916 to the 1980s. There was a main tunnel that was over 500 feet long with shafts and other workings. Besides the underground mine this was also a placer mine. This area shows extensive mineralization. All in all a good trip to some interesting Arizona history.

Tonto Creek and the Pittsburgh Tonto Mine

Directions: From the Mesa take Highway 87 to Highway 188. Stay on Highway 188 for 3.3 miles and your going to turn left on Forest Road 649 for .5 miles where you will turn right on Forest Road 184. This road is rough and would require a high clearance 4WD. I parked here and hiked because I wanted a good hike for the dogs and I'm not that confident in my off roading skills. The coordinates for the mine (34°00'01.3"N 111°17'43.5"W)

Dog Friendly: Yes, I went in August and Tonto Creek was flowing and there were large swimming areas. This would be an ideal hike for late fall, winter and early spring. We left early and it was hot on the trip back (95 degrees when we got back to the truck). There are two significant uphills so make sure you're packing enough water for the climb out of Tonto Creek. Know yourself and your dogs, heat kills. Also there are cows, so if your dogs like to chase them, probably want to keep them leashed.

The hike to Tonto Creek wasn't the most exciting terrain but the creek itself and the canyon it flows

Howlie and Ronin standing guard at a prospect

through was great. There were several large pools deep enough for the dogs to have to swim. I kept my boots dry until we came to a point where I had to wade through waist deep water to keep going to the mine. In August the water was great, I'd imagine it would be a little chilly in December.

Adit partially filled with sand

The Pittsburgh Tonto Mine was a gold mine established in 1942. It wasn't right on the creek but up on the steep side of the canyon; however, it was easy to spot because there was a cable running from other side of the creek to the mine. I don't know for sure if it was part of the original mine as way to get the ore to the other side of Tonto Creek. I climbed up to an adit that was partially full of sand. The surrounding rock was highly mineralized and colorful. I did not make it up to the other workings. The canyon walls were steep but did not require climbing gear. I was going to keep going but Ronin didn't like being left and came up with me. I knew getting down was going to be hard enough without a 110 pound ridgeback scrambling around with me. I am definitely coming back when it cools off, without the dogs.

Four Peaks (Brown's Trail)

Directions: Take Highway 87 to Four Peaks Rd which is about 4.5 miles from Bush Highway. Keep on this road until you reach you reach Pigeon Springs Rd on your right. You will stay on this until the road ends at the trail head.

Dog Friendly: So-so but know your dog and know the weather. I didn't take mine because even though it was in the upper 70s, I knew this would be a tough hike for me and didn't want to pack that much water. These are popular trails and I'd keep them leashed. Besides other trail users, this is a rugged wilderness with predators that would love an easy snack.

The Peaks shrouded in clouds

This isn't really the type trail I'd normally include in by blog but it's an Arizona Icon. I have so may shots of the Goldfields or Superstitions with this mountain looming in the background. I've been up there a couple of times but only had one really short hike. It's an awesome place with plenty or trails and the views are stellar. On Brown's Trail you get alternating views of the Valley and Roosevelt Lake to the Sierra Anchas. It's all single trek through a variety of vegetation. The area suffered a wild fire a few years ago but there are still some of the original pines in some areas. At the end of the trail it becomes more difficult and you have to scramble over some rocks if you want to keep going.

If this trail doesn't interest you or don't really like hiking it's worth the drive. A two wheel drive with decent clearance can make it up from highway 87. If you want an easier road but a longer drive, take Highway 188 to El Oso Rd on the East side of Four Peaks.

The view looking toward the Valley

Richmond Basin, Another Arizona Ghost Town

Directions: From Mesa we traveled US 60 into Globe to turn North on Highway 188.  From there you're going to turn on Wheatfields Rd after about 4.5 miles. After another 1.8 miles turn right on North Hicks Rd. Travel about 2.4 miles and make a left hand turn onto FR 219. This traverses private property but the owner is allowing access at this time. There's some sign in scrapes of paper at the gate. After approximately 1.8 miles make a right onto Richmond Basin Rd which is FR220. You'll hit the ruins and mine after about 6.5 miles.

Dog Friendly: Normally I would never suggest taking dogs around mines but this area was fairly safe. I would still keep them leashed. There maybe water in the winter and spring but there was no water in July.

Richmond Basin was a small town established in 1890 to support the silver mine. I've seen information that the mine and town we're active until as late as 1930, there are many shafts in the area and based on tailings this was an extensively mined area. That said, this is an area where history has been almost completely sanitized for the sake of public safety.

Thank Goodness all the shafts had cages on them!

I worked for the Arizona State Mine Inspector as college intern in an abandoned mine safety program. I understand the danger that mines pose to the public but it's still sad to see the structures and mine workings that are a century old completely eliminated or barred off with doors, caps, foam, etc. Richmond Basin was made safe by placing futuristic space "cages" over the top of the mine opening. I've never seen anything like it. All the head frames are gone and really all that's left is the pile of debris from one of the old house, some rock walls and foundations.

Looking down in one of the shafts

Overall this trip was a major disappointment. Richmond Basin is almost an invisible ghost town but the landscape made the trip worthwhile, kind of.  There were some stellar views of Roosevelt Lake, Four Peaks and Globe-Miami. The FR 220 was in really good shape and a high clearance vehicle could probably make it. FR 219 is in wash and depending on the weather a 2wd could have trouble in deep sand or gravel. FR 220 is very narrow and really exposed in places, so if you have a fear of heights...don't look over the edge.

Magma Mine Building

I've been on Highway 60 through Queen Creek Canyon more times than I can count since I was kid. It's always been a fascinating place with the steep rock walls, hoodoos and remnants of the one of the most productive mining areas in the country. One thing in particular always caught my eye, high on top of a ridge right before the Queen Creek Tunnel. It was just an old metal building with what looked like an old head frame next to it. Still, for years I wondered what that building held and what the view was like from up there. The climb looked steep but no more steep than what I usually hike. I think part of it was I knew I'd hike up there and it would be an empty warehouse filled with graffiti and junk.

Yesterday, I got out of work early and decided it was day to get up that ridge. The hike up was easier than I expected, there was an old, weathered road that led to the top. The building itself was bigger than looked from below and it was not disappointing. Far from empty, it was filled with machinery from the mining boom that ran from the late 1800s to 1890. This building housed motors for either the aerial tram or the hoist house for Magma Mine. The machinery was excellent condition and the smell of grease permeated air. The structure that looked like a head frame was part of the tram or hoist system. It was impressive.

The road kept going to the west side of the ridge to another old building that may have been a transformer house and excellent views of the rest of the Magma Mine workings, such as the cooling tower and smelter. This property is now part of the Resolution Copper Mine.

Note: I did not give exact directions for this hike because there are dangers to being around mines and abandoned buildings. I also know this blog is for hikes that are dog friendly (this one is not) or mountain biking but I also have interest in Arizona mining history and the Superior/Oak Flat Area. I admire the hard work and ingenuity of the early miners. I still hate to think about losing Oak Flat to another copper mine.

Richinbar Mine and Ghost Town

Directions: The hike to this mine on the North Bound Lane of I17 just past the Sunset Point rest area. The coordinates from Google maps are (34.206753, -112.119748). There is a locked gate and with for parking. You will need to either climb the gate or squeeze through it. Follow the road past the wind mill and the cattle coral. You should see the FR 9006 marker. This will take you to the canyon and you can see some of the foundations. Follow the road along the canyon to the right and that will lead you to the mine workings.

Dog Friendly: Nope. There are some extremely deep mine shafts that aren't fenced and cattle.

Old Foundation at Richinbar

This is an area that you drive through on your way to Sedona, Prescott or Flagstaff as I've done for years. I knew there was a lot of mining on the other side of the I17 in the Bradshaws but I had never heard of the Richinbar Mine. I was looking for quick trip that my son and I could take on the way to Flagstaff and found this little historical gem.

This blog is mostly about places I take my dogs hiking or I go mountain biking but I'm also intrigued by old mines. In college I had an internship with Arizona State Mine Inspector locating and researching abandoned mines. It was a great summer jobs as I got paid to go to some remote and rugged locations around the state. I was always amazed at how the first explorers made their way to those places without roads and occasionally found their fortunes.

The Zyke Shaft

The Richinbar mine was founded in the1890s and worked until approximately 1948. They mined over 4600 Troy ounces of gold and another 1400 Troy ounces of silver. The mine also produced copper and lead. There are several shafts in the area, the deepest one being the Zyke shaft which was over 500 feet deep. This is a dangerous mine as some of the shaft are poorly fenced or not fenced at all. If you come here to explore be mindful where you step.

There are foundations for many buildings as well as a 20 stamp mill but thats pretty much all that remains. There are some very unique structures that I read may have been cyanide tanks but we thought maybe they were some type of kiln or oven. There's also a tank that looks like an old swimming pool on top of one of the hills. There are a lot of old bricks, cans and some broken bottles though out the site.

Storage, oven or a tank?

 Beyond the mine and the ruins, there are some fantastic views of the Aqua Fria Canyon. I've also read there are petroglyphs in the area. I would consider coming back to hike down into the canyon and check out the petroglyphs.

Oak Flat Mine Rd

Directions: Take US 60 towards Globe. The turn is at Mile Post 231, where you turn left onto a dirt road. Magma Mine Rd which takes you to the Oak Flat campground is the right had turn at this intersection. You want to stay on this main road as it turns left for a .5 miles until you come to a locked. This is where you park. The road should be easy enough for most cars.

Dog Friendly: Yes, minimal cactus. There was still water in the creek but it will probably be gone soon.

This one of my favorite hikes that is strictly for the dogs. It was 97 degrees when I left Mesa and when we got to the gate it was 83 degrees. It takes a little over 30 minutes to get there from the 202 and the 60. The whole hike is on an old mine road, so it's easy to follow and it's a gradual uphill that's almost unnoticeable.  The road follows a creek which is still barely running but was lot of fun all spring. We went in the afternoon so the route was shaded by the surrounding hills. The road leads to an old open pit copper mine. Watch out for cattle.

Haunted Canyon

Directions: Take US 60 East towards Globe-Miami, you're going to turn left on Pinto Valley Rd (Forest Road 287) which is .4 miles past Mile Post 239. Take Pinto Valley Rd approximately 7 miles to Forest road 3037. Drive this road until you come to a gate, there are several parking places.

Dog Friendly: Absolutely; however, the water is probably seasonal. Watch out for cattle!

This probably one of my favorite dog friendly hikes. It takes less than an hour to get there from the 202 and US 60, It's only a few degrees cooler than the valley but a lot of the hike is shaded. It's also an interesting drive as Pinto Valley Rd takes you through the heart of a large mining operation. As mentioned above there is a gate on FR3037 so you have hike 1.5 miles to the single track. It's not bad, the creek was running along the road for most the road to the trail head. It's an easy hike with only a few, short, steep climbs once you get on the trail. Lots of big trees and some stellar views.

Red Mountain Trail

Red Mountain HooDoo

Directions: From Flagstaff take Highway 180 North approximately 30 miles. The parking for the trail head is signed on the highway and is easy to spot.

Dog Friendly: So-so. There were other groups of visitors when we were there on a Friday, so leash your dog.

This is a short easy hike but well worth the stop. If you didn't know what was there it would be easy to drive right by as it doesn't look like much from the highway. Red Mountain is a cinder cone that was turned into a natural amphitheater by an eruption and then further eroded over the centuries. There are many different rock formations and mini-slot canyons.

Link to more photos:  Red Mountain Photos

The ladder required to enter the amphitheater

Hike to the Sun Flower Mine

Directions: Take Highway 87 North towards Payson, your going to turn left on Forest Rd 627 which is approximately .6 miles past mile post 222. Your going to drive 1.2 miles and then make a right on Forest Rd 201 and then turn left in 1,3 miles on Forest Rd 25. I parked at a campsite where Forest Rd 25 meets Sycamore Creek. On the way to the mine we hiked along and in the creek and it eventually intersects with 25A, It wasn't bad but took longer. On the way back we hiked along 25A. The mine and the processing plant are the first road to the left. You can search for Sun Flower Mine on Google Maps. I have a 4wd truck but there are parts of 25A that I wouldn't drive and I'm there to wear the dogs out so I don't mind hiking.

Dog Friendly: Yes, I lucked out, it was 60 degrees and the West Fork of Sycamore Creek was still running. The dogs had a blast and as I write this they're all passed out.

Timbers and the sealed mine tunnel

The Sun Flower Mine (also known as the National Mine) was active from 1913 to the mid-1980s. It was mostly a mercury mine but gold, silver and copper were also mined. What makes this area great is that there is still some of the mercury processing plant still left but unfortunately not as much as there was before the 2012 Sun Flower fire. Beyond the processing plant the actual mine is about 1/2 mile away. All three of the tunnels have been sealed.

One of the sealed mine tunnels of the Sun Flower Mine

Despite the recent fire the hike along the creek was scenic and rugged. The view from parts of Forest Rd 25A was excellent. It was well worth the drive.

The Silver King

Directions: Take the US 60 to Superior. Take a left at the Silver King Mine Rd. A high clearance 2 wheel drive vehicle is capable of traveling this road.

Dog Friendly: So-so. No jumping cholla but there are other cacti. No water, so bring your own.

This means stay out!

The Silver King Mine's origin is rumored to be a soldier working on the Stoneman Road found native silver where the mine was eventually founded in 1875. This was the richest silver mine in Arizona producing an estimated 42 million dollars of silver ore between 1875 to 1900.

The terrain is mountainous and rugged. The mine itself has caretakers and there is a fence and some clear signage that visitors are not welcome. I did a Resolution Copper Mine surface tour and was told that the care taker does give tours. I hiked so I could at least get some photos of the workings. It's a quick drive through some nice terrain with great views of
Superior so it was worth the time. There are also plenty of side roads to explore on foot.

Hike to Asbestos Point

Directions: 91 miles to trail head. I took US 60 to Highway 188 and then Highway 288. The trail is actually Forest RD 489. This trail .1 miles past Mile Post 277. There is minimal parking on Highway 288 and a couple of spots slightly up FR 489 but you might need a high clearance vehicle.

Distance 7 miles round trip.

Dog Friendly: Yes, there was water but it's probably seasonal,. No concerns about cactus. If you plan on making it to the top, bring lots of water for you and your dog.


This was my second time up to Asbestos Point. The first time was in son's

One of the tunnels of the asbestos mine

FJ Cruiser a little over 2 years ago. It was a pretty brutal 4WD adventure. Since then a lot of the area was devastated by the Juniper Wild Fire.  I wanted to see what condition this left the road. It's not much of road in some places and is completely impassible by motorized vehicles (at least ones I know.).

It was a good hike and the dogs enjoyed it. There was water along the first 1/3 of the hike and then again about 3/4s of the way up. This could be seasonal. It was only 7 miles round trip but it was an almost 2000 foot elevation gain from the trail head. Although it was an old road there will still some steep and rocky sections. Most of the way up your hiking through Pocket Creek Canyon, so it's pretty well shaded. There were still a lot of green trees in the lower portion of the hike but eventually you get to the effects of the fire.

The Asbestos mine consists of few a tunnels and of course the white tailings (Angel Wings) that can easily be seen from below. This mine was founded in the early 1900s, There is also some equipment still left and some ore cart tracks. Remember, abandoned mines can be dangerous even without asbestos!