Given that your geology "expert" hasn't earned a dime from swinging a rock hammer at mineralized outcrops since 1983, you are fortunate to have encountered one of the easy ones for this aging prospector to comment on. The nearly ghost town of Cleator, AZ lies at the northern end of the Black Canyon Mining District, host of many small mines and prospects opened to produce copper, lead, zinc, gold, and silver. Host rocks are Precambrian mica shists, an intermediate grade metamorphic rock and frequently the host of metallic ore deposits in Arizona and worldwide. The bright green is of course indicative of copper mineralization which is almost always found near the surface since oxides and carbonates of copper are the weathering products of the original copper sulfide mineral chalcopyrite. As its name suggests, chalcopyrite is a form of pyrite (fool's gold) containing copper in addition to iron. Who knows how many mineral deposits in AZ and other areas were initially found by prospectors out "huntin' color" since brightly colored oxides and carbonates are almost always connected to unweathered primary orebodies. The pictured rock looks like it has copper mineralization as thin sheets within the schist rock, perhaps indicative of having been broken out of wall rock away from the primary sulfides in a zone with only thin stringers and sheets of sulfides rather than massive, thick agglomerations of sulfide ore minerals.
My Journey
- Thread starter YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
- Start date
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
Ace.....I don't know how that guy could have self rescued but you probably know much more about that than I ever will. Matt's Offroad Recovery videos (which I absolutely love) and my love for hiking keep me in check.....
the deputy.....I sure don't miss the winter- duldrums that I experience back home. Here the days are an hour longer and the milder temperatures make life so much easier.....by the way, thanks for following along.....
"sit a spell" is currently not on my to do list.....
Foy.....you nailed it again as we all would have expected. You add a special angle to this thread and I'm certain that I can speak for all of XP.....we are all so appreciative of your vast knowledge.....thanks again.....
On February 19, 2019, Tanner and I set out to summit Signal Peak (4,877').....a lovely peak located in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Arizona (page 115). On that fateful day Tanner was blown off the mountain summit by incredibly fierce winds.....of all my days that I've spent in the mountains (that must be in the many thousands), I can easily say that that day ranks as #1 the most terrified I've ever been while up in the mountains. I thought he died for sure. But luckily he survived that fall, but if he hadn't, well, I just dont know.....
Fast forward to December 19, 2024.....
That afternoon we drove further south and then to the east.....now fairly close to Phoenix, Arizona. We set up our camp just to the north of Lake Pleasant.....also just to the northeast of Phoenix, Arizona.....
I had made plans for us to climb yet another mountain in the desert the following day so that evening we just hung out and rested in the camper.....
.....and watched the sun as it set over the lake.....
.....as well as over the nearby mountains.....
And the next day we headed out to climb a small mountain in the Hieroglyphic Mountain Range.....
.....and more specifically.....to climb Francis Rogers Mountain (2,757').....
Now.....the first thing that needs to be said about this mountain is that there really isn't a real trail to the summit but instead someone has built small stone cairns that lead you to the summit.....so instead of a well troddened trail to the summit, we'd find spots of a trail here & there, and then they'd just as quickly disappear.....
That means that route finding was difficult.....and really was outright dangerous in a certain way due to all the thorny plants that thrive in that desert environment.....
So it's probably needless to say that the dogs & I weren't huge fans of this climb. Periodically we'd have to make stops to yank thorns from the dog's paws.....but it was still doable (says the guy with Vibram soles on his boots).....
the deputy.....I sure don't miss the winter- duldrums that I experience back home. Here the days are an hour longer and the milder temperatures make life so much easier.....by the way, thanks for following along.....
"sit a spell" is currently not on my to do list.....
Foy.....you nailed it again as we all would have expected. You add a special angle to this thread and I'm certain that I can speak for all of XP.....we are all so appreciative of your vast knowledge.....thanks again.....
On February 19, 2019, Tanner and I set out to summit Signal Peak (4,877').....a lovely peak located in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge in southwest Arizona (page 115). On that fateful day Tanner was blown off the mountain summit by incredibly fierce winds.....of all my days that I've spent in the mountains (that must be in the many thousands), I can easily say that that day ranks as #1 the most terrified I've ever been while up in the mountains. I thought he died for sure. But luckily he survived that fall, but if he hadn't, well, I just dont know.....
Fast forward to December 19, 2024.....
That afternoon we drove further south and then to the east.....now fairly close to Phoenix, Arizona. We set up our camp just to the north of Lake Pleasant.....also just to the northeast of Phoenix, Arizona.....
I had made plans for us to climb yet another mountain in the desert the following day so that evening we just hung out and rested in the camper.....
.....and watched the sun as it set over the lake.....
.....as well as over the nearby mountains.....
And the next day we headed out to climb a small mountain in the Hieroglyphic Mountain Range.....
.....and more specifically.....to climb Francis Rogers Mountain (2,757').....
Now.....the first thing that needs to be said about this mountain is that there really isn't a real trail to the summit but instead someone has built small stone cairns that lead you to the summit.....so instead of a well troddened trail to the summit, we'd find spots of a trail here & there, and then they'd just as quickly disappear.....
That means that route finding was difficult.....and really was outright dangerous in a certain way due to all the thorny plants that thrive in that desert environment.....
So it's probably needless to say that the dogs & I weren't huge fans of this climb. Periodically we'd have to make stops to yank thorns from the dog's paws.....but it was still doable (says the guy with Vibram soles on his boots).....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
On the way up this small mountain I'd kept both dogs on leash as I wanted to guide them up the mountain with as few encounters with the cactus as possible.....and eventually we did make the summit.....
On the summit.....we did not hang out long.....
.....the views were not great, there was a firing range at the bottom of the mountain (listening to the constant sound of rapid gunfire isn't my thing) and to top it off, there was a 6 foot chain link fence than ran right across the summit.....
Now I made the decision to let the dogs descend off leash.....a terrible decision it was as they worked their way down the mountain through all the thorny plants.....
This climb would become #2 of my most terrifying moments in the mountains (that's why I mentioned #1.....for comparison I guess ?) as I found both my dogs stuck in a cactus field. Trapper had cactus stuck in her feet and poor Tanner had one inside his mouth. It literally was stuck to his lips, his tongue, and the roof of his mouth. I immediately reached in there, knowing full well that my hands would be destroyed. I yanked on it as best I could and my hands were immediately filled with thorns. Then I plucked out the remainder of the thorns as best I could. Blood covered his mouth as well as both of my hands. Once Tanner was relieved of the cactus thorns, I moved on to Trappers' feet. Same thing. My pain, and no doubt theirs, was out of this world.....
The picture below is the plant that we dealt with on that horrible climbing day.....just try to imagine one of those things inside your mouth.....every needle is like a barbed fishhook.....
We licked (literally) our wounds back at the camper and spent a few days camped there.....I picked up trash to pass the time.....
I read a lot and Tanner just laid around.....I guess that you could say that we were barely mobile at this point in our lives.....
And Trapper.....we soaked her sore feet and applied an ointment to sooth the pain.....and she even got a bath.....like I said.....just to pass the time.....
On the summit.....we did not hang out long.....
.....the views were not great, there was a firing range at the bottom of the mountain (listening to the constant sound of rapid gunfire isn't my thing) and to top it off, there was a 6 foot chain link fence than ran right across the summit.....
Now I made the decision to let the dogs descend off leash.....a terrible decision it was as they worked their way down the mountain through all the thorny plants.....
This climb would become #2 of my most terrifying moments in the mountains (that's why I mentioned #1.....for comparison I guess ?) as I found both my dogs stuck in a cactus field. Trapper had cactus stuck in her feet and poor Tanner had one inside his mouth. It literally was stuck to his lips, his tongue, and the roof of his mouth. I immediately reached in there, knowing full well that my hands would be destroyed. I yanked on it as best I could and my hands were immediately filled with thorns. Then I plucked out the remainder of the thorns as best I could. Blood covered his mouth as well as both of my hands. Once Tanner was relieved of the cactus thorns, I moved on to Trappers' feet. Same thing. My pain, and no doubt theirs, was out of this world.....
The picture below is the plant that we dealt with on that horrible climbing day.....just try to imagine one of those things inside your mouth.....every needle is like a barbed fishhook.....
We licked (literally) our wounds back at the camper and spent a few days camped there.....I picked up trash to pass the time.....
I read a lot and Tanner just laid around.....I guess that you could say that we were barely mobile at this point in our lives.....
And Trapper.....we soaked her sore feet and applied an ointment to sooth the pain.....and she even got a bath.....like I said.....just to pass the time.....
thedavidzoo
Member
Those dastardly prickly plants are teddy bear cholla (Choy-ya). Yes, they are very bad if you get too close. With the slightest touch the segments break off and can go deep into the skin with their numerous hooks. Pulling them out is fun, as you experienced. Been there several times...pliers are helpful.
I once saw a photo online of a young coyote whose head was covered with them. I can't imagine the torment that pup went through. Luckily some kind humans and a vet were able to help. I often wonder how the mammals generally manage to avoid all those spines while running around in a dense desert hunting or being hunted. There are areas where the ground it completely covered with fallen cholla pieces.
I hope you three recover quickly.
I once saw a photo online of a young coyote whose head was covered with them. I can't imagine the torment that pup went through. Luckily some kind humans and a vet were able to help. I often wonder how the mammals generally manage to avoid all those spines while running around in a dense desert hunting or being hunted. There are areas where the ground it completely covered with fallen cholla pieces.
I hope you three recover quickly.
ITTOG
Well-known member
Oh man, that was probably a bit heartbreaking for you as well. It would be tough having to listen to your dogs while you pulled them out. Glad you got it taken care of. I was running on south mountain (south side of Phoenix) once and got one of those stuck in my hand and one in my leg. When I pulled them out a few of the tips didn't come out. Abscesses formed and about a month later the tips finally popped out. Hopefully you don't have that to deal with in the future.
That picture of Tanner with his leg on the table is funny. It doesn't look comfortable at all.
That picture of Tanner with his leg on the table is funny. It doesn't look comfortable at all.
the deputy
Well-known member
My bad...what was l thinking...lol...edited version...^^^
As soon as l saw Francis Rodgers mountain...thought...'now there's a mountain even l could probably climb', then l saw the next picture of that so-called trial...thought...'wow, that looks horribly dangerous'...and pictured myself tripping and ending up a gigantic snowball of cactus at the bottom...lol.
Reading 'Lonesome Dove' and Jake gets one of those cactus needles imbedded in his hand...not good (according to the book).
Hope you and the boys suffer no lingering effects.
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
thedavidzoo.....we've mostly recovered from that incident but we, unfortunately, have more similar stories to tell (but not near so bad).....thanks.....
ITTOG.....I still have one lodged in my index finger. It got infected and I thought (hoped) that it came out but I don't think that I was so lucky. It still bothers me. Regarding Tanner, I thought the same which is why I reached for the camera. You got to love dogs.....they're so great.....
the deputy.....so you're gonna be thinking that I can't keep up with this guy after you see my next post cause what we did next was "sit a spell" but it wasn't a planned "sit a spell".....
After that traumatic day on the mountain, we really had no choice but to head into town and hang out in places that we mostly don't ever hang out. We needed concrete sidewalks and manicured grass for Trappers' feet.....
So north of Phoenix, Arizona, we found this great park where we could spend days just hanging out and take the time to heal our wounds.....
One day they had a fair that we of course checked out.....
And without a doubt my favorite event at that park was watching these two old guys in golf carts attempt to catch this juvenile delinquent on his mini bike (they're prohibited). That kid who was very talented on that mini bike would do wheelies around the golf carts.....it was too funny (I'm ashamed to say that I thought that).....
We also hung out at various malls.....the outdoor ones were the best. We don't have malls like this in Montana.....at least not like the large malls that they have here.....
And I also spent time car shopping.....
We also don't have auto dealerships in Montana like they have here.....
One day I'll be giving up this style of living and when I do.....when I end up in that condo.....you better bet that'll I die in something like this.....
And then there were the restaurants.....and oh man were there a lot of restaurants.....I gained five pounds that week.....
I don't typically show what I eat, but it was such a huge part of that week.....so bare with me.....
ITTOG.....I still have one lodged in my index finger. It got infected and I thought (hoped) that it came out but I don't think that I was so lucky. It still bothers me. Regarding Tanner, I thought the same which is why I reached for the camera. You got to love dogs.....they're so great.....
the deputy.....so you're gonna be thinking that I can't keep up with this guy after you see my next post cause what we did next was "sit a spell" but it wasn't a planned "sit a spell".....
After that traumatic day on the mountain, we really had no choice but to head into town and hang out in places that we mostly don't ever hang out. We needed concrete sidewalks and manicured grass for Trappers' feet.....
So north of Phoenix, Arizona, we found this great park where we could spend days just hanging out and take the time to heal our wounds.....
One day they had a fair that we of course checked out.....
And without a doubt my favorite event at that park was watching these two old guys in golf carts attempt to catch this juvenile delinquent on his mini bike (they're prohibited). That kid who was very talented on that mini bike would do wheelies around the golf carts.....it was too funny (I'm ashamed to say that I thought that).....
We also hung out at various malls.....the outdoor ones were the best. We don't have malls like this in Montana.....at least not like the large malls that they have here.....
And I also spent time car shopping.....
We also don't have auto dealerships in Montana like they have here.....
One day I'll be giving up this style of living and when I do.....when I end up in that condo.....you better bet that'll I die in something like this.....
And then there were the restaurants.....and oh man were there a lot of restaurants.....I gained five pounds that week.....
I don't typically show what I eat, but it was such a huge part of that week.....so bare with me.....
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
At night we'd stay in parking lots.....Home Depot or Walmart.....
Christmas night was spent in a Cracker Barrel parking lot with 3 other RV's.....sounds bad and it was.....
But it just got worse.....all that time spent with people in the restaurants and malls caused me to catch the common cold.....sore throat, headache, sneezing, and coughing.....it sucked to be me.....after a week of city life.....we headed back out into the wilderness.....
We camped on BLM land south of town and attempted to climb a small mountain one day.....
It was probably the perfect mountain for us as Trappers' feet were just healing up.....and I still was feeling bad.....
And it was simply walking up a road of which 90 % was concrete.....
The summit was fenced off due to construction but we didn't care.....it was just good to get away from the city.....and honestly, it's about all my chest could handle.....life was not so good on the road.....
We spent a few nights camped out here.....still licking our wounds a bit I guess you could say.....
It was good to exchange nightime parking lot lights for sunsets and stars.....that's for sure.....
And that's how we spent the holidays.....life on the road isn't always peaches and cream.....
Christmas night was spent in a Cracker Barrel parking lot with 3 other RV's.....sounds bad and it was.....
But it just got worse.....all that time spent with people in the restaurants and malls caused me to catch the common cold.....sore throat, headache, sneezing, and coughing.....it sucked to be me.....after a week of city life.....we headed back out into the wilderness.....
We camped on BLM land south of town and attempted to climb a small mountain one day.....
It was probably the perfect mountain for us as Trappers' feet were just healing up.....and I still was feeling bad.....
And it was simply walking up a road of which 90 % was concrete.....
The summit was fenced off due to construction but we didn't care.....it was just good to get away from the city.....and honestly, it's about all my chest could handle.....life was not so good on the road.....
We spent a few nights camped out here.....still licking our wounds a bit I guess you could say.....
It was good to exchange nightime parking lot lights for sunsets and stars.....that's for sure.....
And that's how we spent the holidays.....life on the road isn't always peaches and cream.....
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
Glad everyone is starting to feel better. Lots of fluids, for everyone.
Elmers glue allowed to dry around the impaled cactus spines works moderately well. I have used it multiple times in the field to remove them. As you know, keep an eye on the infection and keep things clean. May need antibiotics if things don’t clear up.
I don’t know if these would have helped, and they take some getting used to. But I got a set of these budget friendly dog booties for Mishka, they do help. Took some training but she allows them now. And they have to fit well. I used a large for her. She is a 100# Great Pyr. I do monitor her when she uses them.
Elmers glue allowed to dry around the impaled cactus spines works moderately well. I have used it multiple times in the field to remove them. As you know, keep an eye on the infection and keep things clean. May need antibiotics if things don’t clear up.
I don’t know if these would have helped, and they take some getting used to. But I got a set of these budget friendly dog booties for Mishka, they do help. Took some training but she allows them now. And they have to fit well. I used a large for her. She is a 100# Great Pyr. I do monitor her when she uses them.
Ace Brown
Retired Ol’ Fart
I have a drawer full of those dog booties. None are a full set. Can’t keep them on and I’ve tried everything short of gluing. Fortunately my dogs have all learned quickly how bad cactus can be and stay well away after the first time.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
I originally tried the more expensive name brand ones, and had the same issue. These ones have two Velcro full wrap straps, which seemed to help. I don’t know what brand/type i saw on the sled dogs when i was working those events. Probably depends a lot on each dog, and what they are doing, and the terrain. Mishka is not really a runner; she is walking or kind of loping most the time. I don’t know how they would do with a sprinter.
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
PNWY & Ace.....I feel like the boots would be a total nightmare on my dogs. I often look at them at REI but I never buy. I'm trying my best to stay away from cactus as much as possible. It's impossible in the southwest but one can limit their exposure somewhat.....or at least try.....
We drove south towards Tucson, Arizona and made one stop along the way at an orchard that I knew of from a previous trip.....here there's a road built on soft sand.....a perfect place to place those sore feet.....
And after just a blink of an eye, we pulled into Tucson, Arizona.....
I love this town.....everyone is friendly to me here.....there's a laid back attitude that I feel here.....maybe it's not real, I don't know for sure.....it's just how I feel.....
We hung out here for a couple of days walking the streets.....
And with the university being closed for the holidays, it was a perfect spot to walk as well.....
And I absolutely love the historic districts in Tucson, Arizona.....
And of course the city parks in Tucson, Arizona were also a good spot for the sore feet.....
New Years' Day found us at the world's worst place.....the laundromat.....the good news.....surprisingly (not really !) we were the only ones there.....
But that was OK because we were finally feeling pretty good and we knew that climbing in Madera Canyon was next on our list.....
We drove south towards Tucson, Arizona and made one stop along the way at an orchard that I knew of from a previous trip.....here there's a road built on soft sand.....a perfect place to place those sore feet.....
And after just a blink of an eye, we pulled into Tucson, Arizona.....
I love this town.....everyone is friendly to me here.....there's a laid back attitude that I feel here.....maybe it's not real, I don't know for sure.....it's just how I feel.....
We hung out here for a couple of days walking the streets.....
And with the university being closed for the holidays, it was a perfect spot to walk as well.....
And I absolutely love the historic districts in Tucson, Arizona.....
And of course the city parks in Tucson, Arizona were also a good spot for the sore feet.....
New Years' Day found us at the world's worst place.....the laundromat.....the good news.....surprisingly (not really !) we were the only ones there.....
But that was OK because we were finally feeling pretty good and we knew that climbing in Madera Canyon was next on our list.....
Pacific Northwest yetti
Expedition Medic
Its funny how a picture can trigger a memory. Last time I was on that campus, things looked quite different when it was set up as one of the FEMA mass vaccine sites.
Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for sharing!
YukonMontanaTannerTrapper
Explorer
PNWY.....for sure.....
It was almost exactly one year ago that we first visited Madera Canyon (page 339). Last year there was a considerable amount of snow on the higher peaks that kept us from summitting (wrong boots, no crampons & 2 dogs) so we settled for a couple of the lower peaks on that trip but this time was entirely different. There's been no precipitation for maybe 160 +/- days in this area. Everything was & is incredibly dry right now.....
We set up our camp about 6 miles from the canyon entrance.....
I think that maybe we had the best site for miles and miles.....it sat high above the canyon floor so our views were limitless.....
As best that I recall we rested up for a couple of days before taking on Mount Wrightson (9,456').....the highest peak in that mountain range.....
My All Trails ap states that this is a hard climb.....
.....it actually is not (in my opinion). It's long.....yes.....10.6 miles.....there's lots of elevation gain.....yes.....3,969 feet.....average time on the trail 7 hours 14 minutes (not even close).....
But the trail is so well groomed and so well maintained and even so well laid out (hundreds of switchbacks to lessen the slope) that it's actually an easy climb.....
It was almost exactly one year ago that we first visited Madera Canyon (page 339). Last year there was a considerable amount of snow on the higher peaks that kept us from summitting (wrong boots, no crampons & 2 dogs) so we settled for a couple of the lower peaks on that trip but this time was entirely different. There's been no precipitation for maybe 160 +/- days in this area. Everything was & is incredibly dry right now.....
We set up our camp about 6 miles from the canyon entrance.....
I think that maybe we had the best site for miles and miles.....it sat high above the canyon floor so our views were limitless.....
As best that I recall we rested up for a couple of days before taking on Mount Wrightson (9,456').....the highest peak in that mountain range.....
My All Trails ap states that this is a hard climb.....
.....it actually is not (in my opinion). It's long.....yes.....10.6 miles.....there's lots of elevation gain.....yes.....3,969 feet.....average time on the trail 7 hours 14 minutes (not even close).....
But the trail is so well groomed and so well maintained and even so well laid out (hundreds of switchbacks to lessen the slope) that it's actually an easy climb.....