tgil
Well-known member
Which park? Seeing a few popping up around Fort Worth.
My Journey
- Thread starter YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
- Start date
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
dieseldude4bt.....as you will see, I did indeed visit Coonies Tomb and Mineral Creek Canyon.....that was the canyon that the BLM employee reccomended to me.....and I absolutely loved it. On the way in I had an interesting conversation with the guy that owns the last cabin on the left.....he lives on a 180 acre spread.....do you know him ? Maybe 60 years old with a beard nearly to his waist ? It's rare that I'd post (30) or more pictures of one small area, but I took so many pictures here that it was tough to choose. I was a bit disappointed in my photography because I think that they are a dismal representation of how magical this canyon actually is.....
We now backtracked once again, passed back through Glenwood, continuing north to the gravel turnoff for Mineral Creek Canyon. I'm guessing maybe 10 miles up the gravel road we came across Coonies Tomb.....
This little gravesite is impossible to miss as the tomb is literally right on the side of the gravel road.....
We didn't stay long.....wet weather was about to move in.....and honestly as cool as this was, it's not a place to linger.....
Another mile or two of driving east brought us to the trailhead.....and this is really what we came for.....
Initially the trail appears to be well traveled and the hiking was relatively easy.....that was soon to change.....
From here on out my pictures do no justice to what I saw and experienced.....the rock walls are much higher than they appear in the pictures.....truly this place was magical.....
We now backtracked once again, passed back through Glenwood, continuing north to the gravel turnoff for Mineral Creek Canyon. I'm guessing maybe 10 miles up the gravel road we came across Coonies Tomb.....
This little gravesite is impossible to miss as the tomb is literally right on the side of the gravel road.....
We didn't stay long.....wet weather was about to move in.....and honestly as cool as this was, it's not a place to linger.....
Another mile or two of driving east brought us to the trailhead.....and this is really what we came for.....
Initially the trail appears to be well traveled and the hiking was relatively easy.....that was soon to change.....
From here on out my pictures do no justice to what I saw and experienced.....the rock walls are much higher than they appear in the pictures.....truly this place was magical.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
As we continued our hike upstream I took all precautions possible to keep my leather boots dry.....Tanner on the other hand did all he could to drench himself in the ice cold waters.....
Now it didn't take too long for that well traveled trail to turn into a bunch of rock hopping.....
And then not much further upstream came the multiple stream crossings which would eventually soak my jeans north of my knees.....
My love for this kind of exploration easily overcomes the discomforts of freezing feet and legs.....I can't seem to get enough.....
Tanner of course, must have thought he had found heaven.....
Now it didn't take too long for that well traveled trail to turn into a bunch of rock hopping.....
And then not much further upstream came the multiple stream crossings which would eventually soak my jeans north of my knees.....
My love for this kind of exploration easily overcomes the discomforts of freezing feet and legs.....I can't seem to get enough.....
Tanner of course, must have thought he had found heaven.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Unfortunately on that day we only made it up that stream for about two and one half miles.....
Intermittent rain began to fall from the skies and with my jeans already drenched and me feeling a bit on the cold side of things, I thought it best to return to the camper and brew a hot mug of coffee.....
The landowner that I had spoken with earlier that afternoon told me that at (4) miles upstream that there are interesting mines to see.....
He also said that at (6) miles upstream that there was something interesting to see.....I swear no matter how hard I try, I can't recall what that was.....
So I think I need to return here one day but maybe later in the season would be a better bet.....the water was fairly high and the weather was questionable at best. I think this would be a wonderful weekend backpacking trip for most anyone.....we loved it.....
Intermittent rain began to fall from the skies and with my jeans already drenched and me feeling a bit on the cold side of things, I thought it best to return to the camper and brew a hot mug of coffee.....
The landowner that I had spoken with earlier that afternoon told me that at (4) miles upstream that there are interesting mines to see.....
He also said that at (6) miles upstream that there was something interesting to see.....I swear no matter how hard I try, I can't recall what that was.....
So I think I need to return here one day but maybe later in the season would be a better bet.....the water was fairly high and the weather was questionable at best. I think this would be a wonderful weekend backpacking trip for most anyone.....we loved it.....
AlwaysRoaming
Member
My Great Uncle and Aunt lived in Glenwood and are both buried there. Made a couple trips there as a kid and I remember it being a beautiful place. Thanks for sharing.
Sierra Valley
Wander
Thats a beautiful canyon! I love exploring stuff like that myself. Def thinking right now is too cold LOL
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Jbynum.....it's still a very beautiful place.....I would imagine that little has changed.....
Sierra Valley.....I'm just like you. It killed me not to go the entire six miles.....
The evening brought a break in the rain and since we were still parked at the trailhead I decided to walk up a side road that I had noticed on the way in just to see what I could see. It turns out that the side road was actually a driveway to an abandoned miners house.....
Tanner and I explored the entire property.....
And then further along the driveway we came upon several somewhat boarded up mines.....
Caves I do like.....there's no way I'm even sticking my head into one of those things....
Heavy rains were in the forecast for the night so I figured it was high time to find a spot for the night. We drove north and ended up staying on BLM land along the entrance road to Cosmic Campground. Now I picked a site that was above the gravel entrance road so that I would be able to get out after the rains came during the night since the mud here is as slick as ice. Unfortunately everyone in the area did not think the same.....more on that coming up in the next post.....
That night in the camper life changed drastically once again.....the reality of the coronavirus really set in and I decided that I would not be traveling east to visit the most beautiful girl in the world. I've been keeping a log of the number of people that I've spoken to since making that decision and for the past nine days that number would be seven (all from a distance), and it's actually zero for the past four days. I've pretty much decided to self quarantine myself and limit my travels as best that I can. Tomorrow I'll need groceries and the next day Tanner has his 6 month check up and shots. My wish to everyone.....stay safe and healthy in these challenging times.....
Sierra Valley.....I'm just like you. It killed me not to go the entire six miles.....
The evening brought a break in the rain and since we were still parked at the trailhead I decided to walk up a side road that I had noticed on the way in just to see what I could see. It turns out that the side road was actually a driveway to an abandoned miners house.....
Tanner and I explored the entire property.....
And then further along the driveway we came upon several somewhat boarded up mines.....
Caves I do like.....there's no way I'm even sticking my head into one of those things....
Heavy rains were in the forecast for the night so I figured it was high time to find a spot for the night. We drove north and ended up staying on BLM land along the entrance road to Cosmic Campground. Now I picked a site that was above the gravel entrance road so that I would be able to get out after the rains came during the night since the mud here is as slick as ice. Unfortunately everyone in the area did not think the same.....more on that coming up in the next post.....
That night in the camper life changed drastically once again.....the reality of the coronavirus really set in and I decided that I would not be traveling east to visit the most beautiful girl in the world. I've been keeping a log of the number of people that I've spoken to since making that decision and for the past nine days that number would be seven (all from a distance), and it's actually zero for the past four days. I've pretty much decided to self quarantine myself and limit my travels as best that I can. Tomorrow I'll need groceries and the next day Tanner has his 6 month check up and shots. My wish to everyone.....stay safe and healthy in these challenging times.....
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dieseldude4bt
New member
I believe that shack and mines belonged to an old-timer called Burro Joe. Quite a character in his day. Glad you got to enjoy some of the favorite places of my youth.
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
I've spent all month, traveling for Covid-19 medical contracts, currently in Utah.
Good call,
If I could, I'd be somewhere remote and beautiful with my pup.
Sent from my SM-T387V using Tapatalk
Good call,
If I could, I'd be somewhere remote and beautiful with my pup.
Sent from my SM-T387V using Tapatalk
tgil
Well-known member
When I opened this thread this morning, this is the pic that loaded at the top of my page. I'd already read past that point, yesterday, but I saw a dog in that rock formation this morning.
Maybe I'm losing it? Does anyone else see it?
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
Maybe I'm losing it? Does anyone else see it?
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Arjan.....doing my best to live the life of a hermit.....thanks.....
Riversdad.....yea, with the passing of Yukon, Tanner and I are becoming super close. He's trying his best to fill her shoes.....and he's doing a fantastic job.....miss her so much.....
dieseldude4bt.....Glenwood is a hidden gem.....can't wait to visit again.....possibly hit the ghost town next trip. I elected not to go this time as the Jeep is having starting issues plus the storms were moving in.....
PNWY.....be safe my friend.....
tgil.....I often see the faces and bodies of animals and fish in the clouds, the rocks, and the plants while I'm out hiking. Just recently I was pointing a rock out to my friend while we were hiking and I said that rock looks like a turtle and the reply was "huh".....
The heavy rains began late that evening and persisted for most of the night.....just as the weatherman said it would. Several times I was awakened by the strength of the storm and I was pleased that I had parked my rig accordingly. In the early morning hours while sitting at my table, drinking my mug of hot coffee, I heard the sounds of what sounded like the start of the Indy 500. Eventually Tanner and I went for a morning walk and saw this school bus trying his best to eradicate himself.....
Eventually the bus got out and parked on the gravel (I'd say 30 minutes of spinning).....the pictures are not really reflective of what I saw / heard since his bus would spin in one spot for like 5 minutes before even slightly moving.....
Next I saw this 2 wheel drive Jeep trying to make it to the gravel access road.....
Eventually they left the mud road and drove into the desert.....plants and anything else that got in their way was destroyed and after maybe an hour they succeeded in their endeavors.....
The guys in this van never stood a chance but they sure did give it one hell of a try. They waited until well after lunch for the tow truck to arrive.....
These were the lucky ones as they got out that day.....people camped further down the mud roads were stranded no doubt. Lessons sometimes can be difficult (and expensive) to learn.....
Although I didn't stay at the campground, Tanner & I did walk in the area quite a bit (we stayed 2 nights).....
Cosmic Campground is one of two certified dark sky sanctuaries in the world.....even had concrete pads for setting up ones telescope.....
I don't know about all that stuff as I I can't help but think of many others places around the world that must be a good bit darker.....maybe just a marketing thing.....like I said, I don't know. I do know that I love those snow covered peaks.....
Yesterday was quite the stressful day for me as I had been pretty much self quarantined for the past ten days. I shopped at Safeway & Walmart, and then got an oil change in the truck. I must have used half of my bottle of hand sanitizer.....which could be impossible to replace.....please stay safe in these very scary times.....
Riversdad.....yea, with the passing of Yukon, Tanner and I are becoming super close. He's trying his best to fill her shoes.....and he's doing a fantastic job.....miss her so much.....
dieseldude4bt.....Glenwood is a hidden gem.....can't wait to visit again.....possibly hit the ghost town next trip. I elected not to go this time as the Jeep is having starting issues plus the storms were moving in.....
PNWY.....be safe my friend.....
tgil.....I often see the faces and bodies of animals and fish in the clouds, the rocks, and the plants while I'm out hiking. Just recently I was pointing a rock out to my friend while we were hiking and I said that rock looks like a turtle and the reply was "huh".....
The heavy rains began late that evening and persisted for most of the night.....just as the weatherman said it would. Several times I was awakened by the strength of the storm and I was pleased that I had parked my rig accordingly. In the early morning hours while sitting at my table, drinking my mug of hot coffee, I heard the sounds of what sounded like the start of the Indy 500. Eventually Tanner and I went for a morning walk and saw this school bus trying his best to eradicate himself.....
Eventually the bus got out and parked on the gravel (I'd say 30 minutes of spinning).....the pictures are not really reflective of what I saw / heard since his bus would spin in one spot for like 5 minutes before even slightly moving.....
Next I saw this 2 wheel drive Jeep trying to make it to the gravel access road.....
Eventually they left the mud road and drove into the desert.....plants and anything else that got in their way was destroyed and after maybe an hour they succeeded in their endeavors.....
The guys in this van never stood a chance but they sure did give it one hell of a try. They waited until well after lunch for the tow truck to arrive.....
These were the lucky ones as they got out that day.....people camped further down the mud roads were stranded no doubt. Lessons sometimes can be difficult (and expensive) to learn.....
Although I didn't stay at the campground, Tanner & I did walk in the area quite a bit (we stayed 2 nights).....
Cosmic Campground is one of two certified dark sky sanctuaries in the world.....even had concrete pads for setting up ones telescope.....
I don't know about all that stuff as I I can't help but think of many others places around the world that must be a good bit darker.....maybe just a marketing thing.....like I said, I don't know. I do know that I love those snow covered peaks.....
Yesterday was quite the stressful day for me as I had been pretty much self quarantined for the past ten days. I shopped at Safeway & Walmart, and then got an oil change in the truck. I must have used half of my bottle of hand sanitizer.....which could be impossible to replace.....please stay safe in these very scary times.....
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dieseldude4bt
New member
Just a little appetizer for your next trip to that area....https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/new-mexico/mogollon-abandoned-village-hike-nm/?fbclid=IwAR30LVaG2n9YdXiNTdaI0oTY3qhGMuV9Mr6BvnlG72QV1eEXW74f8VMp5As
Sierra Valley
Wander
Very cool!