Yes, there is our pretty green valley in the first picture. Then you will see several area pictures from the area by the smelter. the cave is also by the smelter. We broke into 2 groups and Carol, Carol, Arlene and I went the smelter route and down the wash below the smelter. It was a fun adventure. Some of us then went out for lunch. Carol and I are in the final picture. It was a wonderful hike and it was so nice to meet and visit with new people! The next hike will be the day after Thanksgiving - details to follow in an email to the hiking email list.
We left the smelter area and sorta slid down a cliff to see this beautiful area of slag and other materials left after the copper is removed from the rock.
Surprise!!! The kitchen sink and stove and coffee can, bean can and water pitcher! Yes, we could see wooden planks that were cascading down the cliff and then at the bottom of the wash, we found these weathered kitchen elements!
Here is a VW we think floated down the wash during a monsoon. Sinc the mine closed in the 1920's, we think this may be part of the hippie days of "occupation" of Helvetia.
Here is a preview of the Helvetia Hike scheduled for 11/14/9. The first picture is taken from a cliff above and shows a nice and easy path along a sandy wash. It is a nice stroll and leads to a wonderful viewing of the copper smelting location. It is an easy stroll.
The remaining pictures are from a true hike with elevation. Enjoy the pictures and plan on joining us!!!
The remaining pictures are from a true hike with elevation. Enjoy the pictures and plan on joining us!!!
Here are some artifacts we found at the site - we're not too sure about the Pepsi can!
This is downtown Helvetia! The adobe remains are of the hotel.
We're not sure what the purple colored rocks are - do you know?
This is a big hunk of metal - not sure what it was used for???
Colorful rock
Cave view from higher cliff.
Cowboy Jim 
at the mouth of the cave.
We think this was storage for mining equipment. There is a padlock.
Beautiful view!
Copper in the rock?
See the copper in the rock?
Ocotillo turning fall colors.
Cross on the top of this cliff!
Helvetia Cemetery
at the mouth of the cave.
We think this was storage for mining equipment. There is a padlock.
Beautiful view!
Copper in the rock?
See the copper in the rock?
Ocotillo turning fall colors.
Cross on the top of this cliff!
Helvetia Cemetery
This mine is for mainly calcium carbonate, which is chalk. The mine has a big contract with Pfizer, which uses it to coat pills! It is used in talc and other powders - very useful substance. The Helvetia mine is no longer active. We were pre-hiking for a hike and we need to explore more of it. It is in the mountains just east of our house. Enjoy!
This is the ruins of a part of the smelting operation for the mine.
This is the ruins of a part of the smelting operation for the mine.
