See the copper or rust color on this mountain? Well, that is Gould Mine. This volcanic area netted over 80 different minerals. Most were sulfide combinations. The mine closed in 1940, but there was a blacksmith shop and actual mining camp at this location. We discussed how hard the life was back then and difficult it was to mine with hand tools. They did have explosives and the second structure below was the dynamite shelter. The other structure was a lookout with windows for snipers to keep bandits from the mine. (OK, I made that part up! We decided that you can make up stories about mountains around here and in time they are truth!) The group picture is minus two dear souls, who chose to not take the biggest part of the climb with us. We had a grand time - 10 hikers total.
It was a very cool and cloudy day and we did get wet in the rain! Very unique experience for AZ! We walked up the oldmine trail, which was used to haul the ore down the mountain. We returned to our cars by walking down an arroyo or wash with petroglyphs. Check out the hike last month for pictures of it.
This ia a BIG packrat nest. They dig and gather and make a mess. The next pic is a very healthy specimen of barrel cactus growing out of a rock wall! The lichen in the next pic caught my eye - looked like cabbage!
We were amazed by the cane cactus all over this site AND the variety of colors of the blooms. It was early in the day, so the bud were just starting to open. They were yellow, rust, lavendar, pink, ruby rose, apricot to name a few of the different hues. What a special treat! The brittlebush we enjoyed during our last visit here with yellow blooms were no longer blooming. The Lord provided these cane cactus as a special treat! We have included pictures of many other smal, but beautiful flowers. We don't know their names.
Here's a view of our snowy mountains after a wonderful day of hiking! Yes, snow on the mountain on 4/12/9!
