Sunflower Mine, AZ

[SOAZ]

Just posting pics, maybe a couple of comments. braindead today

Bottome of a truck. Looking at the bottom of the motor and the crank.

One lonely power or telephone pole that supplied power to the mine.

 

[SOAZ]

Vandalism and trash in the main entrance

 

[SOAZ]

 

[SOAZ]

 

[Scott Brady]

One of my favorite trails!

 

[Tucson T4R]

:sombrero: Great Pics! Thanks. This really brought back some memories for me. I played in that area a lot about 20 years ago. I actualy proposed to my wife on a ridge just North of there that overlooked the wilderness area to the North. Great country to play in.

 

[SOAZ]

Thanks!
Its amazing that it has lasted as intact as long as it has! I looked at my pics from a year ago and it looks about the same besides a few extra carvings of peoples names here and there.
Nice, what did she say? :elkgrin: haha, just kidding.

 

[Tucson T4R]

Thanks!
Its amazing that it has lasted as intact as long as it has! I looked at my pics from a year ago and it looks about the same besides a few extra carvings of peoples names here and there.
Nice, what did she say? :elkgrin: haha, just kidding.

Same wife sitting right here today and our 19 yr old son just walked out the door to go work out.:wings:

I don't know if you drove the whole loop. If you go North from the mine it wraps around to the east just south a wilderness area and then loops back to highway 87. Along that northern section of the road there is an old opening in a fence line that looks like a ranch entrance with the two tall poles on each side. That trail leads straight up the hill to a ridge with a great northern view into the wilderness area.:jumping:

 

[seth_js]

It wasn't all that long ago (I believe 2000 or 2001) that the truck was still up on the ledge.

 

[1leglance]

killer pics...
do you have gps coord's or a reference to this trail?
I am new to offroading so I don't know all the great places yet.
thanks
1leglance

 

[Tucson T4R]

Here are a couple of topo images of the area. This is just North of highway 87, between Phoenix and Payson.

 

[SOAZ]

It wasn't all that long ago (I believe 2000 or 2001) that the truck was still up on the ledge.

Nice! Me and my brother were wondering about that! Its like the little Van out at mineehaha that used to be about 100 yards down the road and now it sits wedged up against pat of the mine structure after being pushed off the cliff. That one happened sometime between 3 months ago and a year ago. :sport_box I'd love to catch the folks doing these things.:REOutArchery02:

 

[SOAZ]

Same wife sitting right here today and our 19 yr old son just walked out the door to go work out.:wings:

I don't know if you drove the whole loop. If you go North from the mine it wraps around to the east just south a wilderness area and then loops back to highway 87. Along that northern section of the road there is an old opening in a fence line that looks like a ranch entrance with the two tall poles on each side. That trail leads straight up the hill to a ridge with a great northern view into the wilderness area.:jumping:

Nice job!!!
I didn't have time for the whole loop. A buddy who only has a land rover discovery, har har har. was waiting at the bush highway turn off to go shooting.

 

[SOAZ]

killer pics...
do you have gps coord's or a reference to this trail?
I am new to offroading so I don't know all the great places yet.
thanks
1leglance

Go to a books and borders or similar and get the az 4wheel drive and offroad book. Its got a ton of great trails.
If you want to go and do it: head up the beeline (87) to mile marked 222. Be in the left lane and turn LEFT at the Mt. Orde sign. Take that to the first right, its a dirt road. Then take the hard left after the cattle crossing and keep heading out until you see the mine.
(bring a good map and get that book so you feel safe because directions are never as good as a map.)

 

[SOAZ]

Great site!

Look, there used to be a loader down by the mine too! What the hell is wrong with people!