[admiral]

What, you're not going to go look for the Lost Dutchman Mine today? Hear there is lots of treasure out there at Thunder Mountain, things like royalties from old Westerns

• Gunsmoke (1955–1975)
• Bonanza (1959–1973) ...
• Three Amigos! ...
• Ghost Adventures (2008– ) ...
• Have Gun - Will Travel (1957–1963) ...
• The Unhealer (2020) ...
• Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (1957) ...
• How the West Was Won (1962)

No wonder place looks familiar.
Hear there are stories of some interesting wildlife out there too, like the Hookum Indian's Thunder Bird
View attachment 234642

That's a big azz Road Runner for sure! haha!

 

[admiral]

One last note about Quartzite, met a fella a couple weeks ago who has been spending the winter season in the same site at La Posa North since 1987. He’s a lifelong volunteer trail constructor and maintainer including the AT and the PCT and has been creating a trail in one of the washes for the last number of years. Very nicely done with care taken to preserve as much vegetation as possible. In harmony with the terrain as well.

Speaking of history, he mentioned about the area being used as training for Patton’s tank corps and pointed out the two tracks still visible from the tank treads. He also pointed out a foot path that connected mines in the Plomosa Mtns and Dome Rock. Goes back I believe he said to the late 1800s

I recently watched a video that further explained the tank tracks. The widest tank tracks during WWII were 8-1/2 feet wide. Around 1963-64 the Army held maneuvers around Quartzsite with 12 feet wide tank tracks suspecting most of the tracks were from the 60s and not WWII. That was interesting to hear. I’ve seen the tracks last year but didn’t take note of how wide they were.

 

[Allanb]

Last year on the California side of the river, I found 3 fifty caliber cases with head stamps on them from the early 40’s. Didn’t see tank tracks on either side of the cases , but assume they were from training/ maneuvers. Or could of just been surplus, somebody bought and shot up sometime in last 70 yrs

 

[Donzo]

looks like I left at the right time! We got a boatload of rain here also, but no snow

 

[Fred]

I've found links from .50 machine guns far from any road in middle of nowhere Nevada while exploring Pony Express routes, (not the actual Nowhere,NV. Population 3, which if you blink you miss it ) . Likely delivered by air as not unusual to see things painted green flyingf by on maneuvers.

 

[Stimus]

I recently watched a video that further explained the tank tracks. The widest tank tracks during WWII were 8-1/2 feet wide. Around 1963-64 the Army held maneuvers around Quartzsite with 12 feet wide tank tracks suspecting most of the tracks were from the 60s and not WWII. That was interesting to hear. I’ve seen the tracks last year but didn’t take note of how wide they were.

Funny you mention that. My first impression of the two tracks was that they were quite narrow for a tank. The tread width seemed right but the spacing seemed too close. Much closer to 8 1/2 feet than 12. I think my friend was on target.

 

[Allanb]

Good point Fred. Never thought of the empty’s sloshing out the ejection port or door of plane/helicopter or ufo!

 

[admiral]

Funny you mention that. My first impression of the two tracks was that they were quite narrow for a tank. The tread width seemed right but the spacing seemed too close. Much closer to 8 1/2 feet than 12. I think my friend was on target.

Found the video I saw about the tank tracks.

 

[Fred]

Well that explains that quite accurately. Nice that author also pointed out that there are other tracked vehicles employed by our ground forces. For example the M-113 first saw service in the early 1960's and was used as ambulance, enginnering & command vehicle. It was 8.75 ft wide overall with 15 inch wide tracks. Would not be surprised if they were not part of the excercise as well as some self propelled artillery.

 

[axismatt]

I've found links from .50 machine guns far from any road in middle of nowhere Nevada while exploring Pony Express routes, (not the actual Nowhere,NV. Population 3, which if you blink you miss it ) . Likely delivered by air as not unusual to see things painted green flyingf by on maneuvers.
View attachment 234664

I work for a contractor that manages some bombing ranges in AZ... they rhyme with Jerry Boldfodder. We find all manner of this, which is expected as they are bombing ranges. It wasn't until I went to work for them that I found out just how much property they use for training, in SoCal and AZ. It's a lot!!! So I am not even a little surprised that people find evidence of spent armaments anywhere in any sort of desert terrain in the southwest. The rule we have is, don't touch anything. But I can say confidently that anything with an impact primer will not go off unless struck. Be careful with larger items, even inert gravity devices and flares (which have an innocent look to them). They are not to be touched. Here's a band of 7.62 blanks used for training, and I have a handful of A-10 and F-16 spent shells that are generally captured inside the fuselage, but made their way to the ground. Some folks complain about these artifacts... I love it. Makes me proud.

 

[admiral]

Don't need to worry about tanks here though we are camped on an old military reservation that once was used as some type of firing range. There are signs which would indicate when range use was to occur and firing range flag poles. When a range is in use, they would raise a red flag to warn everyone it's hot. Today, it's not hot, firing, or temperature! haha

Granddaddy! Lots of family history here. I'm guessing pretty old with all the family branches!

Scoob & Wilbur been waiting for the weather to break and be nice. Mud from the rain and snow the other day is starting to dry up.

A couple of days ago we got some 'splorin in before the weather hit. Cool to find these old mine areas and townsites.
Reymert Mine mill ovens.

I bet it was hard work to build this and then later work at the mine. No "softies" need apply!

Mine security guard

Found a Geocache at one of the cabin ruins

Just a sign the log type cache. The plastic case has deteriorated and needs to be replaced.

View of the Superstition Mtns. with a little snow.

Starting to warm up today after a few stormy colder days. Still, retirement travel is fun...and an adventure!

 

[Allanb]

Admiral, how are Fred and Akela handing cactus/cholla in the paws? I bought some booties for Alex to wear this winter. But still cant imagine how a soft northwest dog is going to handle all the sharp stuff.
Funny/sad as heck on his first camp trip with me, a ride in the cascades last april. There were big clumps of sap from the fir,hemlock? he'd step on them, wave his foot around, then keep on trucking. Then a rock would stick to the sap. He would shake it off, or, smart dog, ask for help. But always eager to get out

 

[admiral]

Admiral, how are Fred and Akela handing cactus/cholla in the paws? I bought some booties for Alex to wear this winter. But still cant imagine how a soft northwest dog is going to handle all the sharp stuff.
Funny/sad as heck on his first camp trip with me, a ride in the cascades last april. There were big clumps of sap from the fir,hemlock? he'd step on them, wave his foot around, then keep on trucking. Then a rock would stick to the sap. He would shake it off, or, smart dog, ask for help. But always eager to get out

We try and find a spot with little or no chollas. So far this year there have been no cholla incidents.

 

[Allanb]

Whew. Good!
I didn’t have a cholla incident till the 3rd winter. 😂 Getting off the bike my arm brushed up against jacket, came away w cholla. W T hell? Tire would catch them and then fling up on jacket!

 

[Fred]

Wonderfully entertaining photos and travel tales Admiral, please keep 'em coming.
Having a stick or long tool to first lever cholla clumps off, then needle nose pliers for the detail extrications has been my plan other than simply avoiding them.

 

[admiral]

Yesterday, I rode down to the entrance to the State Lands gate. Here is the old military sign used to indicate when they would be firing artillery. When I get a chance I want to do some research and find out what this range/military area was called and exactly where the artillery impact zone was. I assume far from here and off-limits due to unexploded ordinance but still curious.

All our time here hasn't been riding so we've been doing some sightseeing and towny stuff (eating out) haha. But a couple of days ago we did our last golf cart tour around the neighborhood to find some places we had heard about.
Jail. Doing some reading this was said to have been an overnight stay jail for prisoners on the 310 to Yuma Territorial Prison.

2 walls are made of stone and 2 are part of the natural rock wall.

The fellow I read had heard as late as 1995 that bars were still in the windows but are long gone now.

The next place is said to have been "Indican Dugout Cave" but the author thinks this could just as well be natural. We dunno but it was a neat feature on the side of a creek cliff. There is a little path along the middle of the cliff to gain entrance to the cave. Don't fall!

It's a little short for me

Heading down the road our next stop was an old stone corral.

Looks like a fort wall to me.

We laid down in the middle of the corral and rested. It was peaceful.

Then we headed back to camp. The water was a little deeper with the recent rains (and snow) so we had to be careful.

I did a couple of days of riding on the TW also but didn't take any pictures. Nothing to see here haha! Had intended to ride some more with a forum member but the timing just didn't work out. Next time!

Well, that about wraps up our stay in Gold Canyon. We'll be heading south towards Tucson and see what we can see there. Take care everybody and hope the northerner's snow melts soon so you can get out and ride.

 

[admiral]

The adventure continues.

After leaving Gold Canyon we met back up with ejfranz/wife in Tuscon for a quick overnight stay. On the way out of town, we stopped off at the San Xavier del Back Mission. It's kind of old I think.

The Mission is undergoing some restoration work but it was astonishing inside.

Awesome!

Camp Patagonia (AZ). Our next destination of exploring was in the Patagonia AZ area.
ejfranz's home sweet home...and garage

Admiral Mobile Fleet Headquarters

One thing better than this view is riding the TWs instead of looking at them haha

Camp Patagonia is Fred the Dog approved.

...the adventure continues on

 

[littletommy]

Yesterday, I rode down to the entrance to the State Lands gate. Here is the old military sign used to indicate when they would be firing artillery. When I get a chance I want to do some research and find out what this range/military area was called and exactly where the artillery impact zone was. I assume far from here and off-limits due to unexploded ordinance but still curious.
View attachment 234758
All our time here hasn't been riding so we've been doing some sightseeing and towny stuff (eating out) haha. But a couple of days ago we did our last golf cart tour around the neighborhood to find some places we had heard about.
Jail. Doing some reading this was said to have been an overnight stay jail for prisoners on the 310 to Yuma Territorial Prison.
View attachment 234759
2 walls are made of stone and 2 are part of the natural rock wall.
View attachment 234760
The fellow I read had heard as late as 1995 that bars were still in the windows but are long gone now.
View attachment 234761
The next place is said to have been "Indican Dugout Cave" but the author thinks this could just as well be natural. We dunno but it was a neat feature on the side of a creek cliff. There is a little path along the middle of the cliff to gain entrance to the cave. Don't fall!
View attachment 234762
It's a little short for me
View attachment 234763
Heading down the road our next stop was an old stone corral.
View attachment 234764
Looks like a fort wall to me.
View attachment 234765
We laid down in the middle of the corral and rested. It was peaceful.
View attachment 234766
Then we headed back to camp. The water was a little deeper with the recent rains (and snow) so we had to be careful.
View attachment 234768
I did a couple of days of riding on the TW also but didn't take any pictures. Nothing to see here haha! Had intended to ride some more with a forum member but the timing just didn't work out. Next time!

Well, that about wraps up our stay in Gold Canyon. We'll be heading south towards Tucson and see what we can see there. Take care everybody and hope the northerner's snow melts soon so you can get out and ride.

Wonderful pictures and Kris, you look great bro!!

 

[RockyTFS]

Kind of old??!!! It was begun in1783!
History - San Xavier del Bac Mission - Tucson, AZ (sanxaviermission.org)

 

[admiral]

Patagonia continued...
On our first ride in Patagonia, we went up this steep loose rocky climb finally making it up.

As Fred mentioned in his Desert Hazard thread, there was this one hazard right on the edge of the trail we just went up. If you hit a rock wrong and shot you in the wrong direction it would be "curtains" for the rider.

Yup, "curtains" for sure. As you can imagine, we didn't stop to read the sign on the way up but had more time as we watched everyone during the climb.

All safe and happy after that harrowing trailside hazard haha

Next stop, Harshaw, AZ ghost town. Not much left 'cept for the ghosts. This is the only structure we spotted at the old townsite.

Still a ghost, this is what this cabin looked like many years ago

...and what Harshaw looked like back in its prime

Speaking of ghosts, a steel cowboy hat fixed to the steel cross. This is the nearby Harshaw Cemetery.

Some Harshaw, AZ History if you are interested.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harshaw,_Arizona