- Trail: Robson's Mining World area – Petroglyph trail
- Miles: 6.5
- Riders: Self – Phil
- Horses: Drifter – Tank
- Dogs: Hank – Groot – Pearl
A couple of days ago, Phil and I hauled up 71 and parked beneath the Yavapai Warrior and unloaded the horses. I've been wanting to check out "Mining World" since I first arrived in Arizona four years ago. I expected it to be a hole in the ground hosted by a bearded, crotchety old Tommyknocker that calls himself Festus. Boy...was I wrong.
Technically, Robson's Mining World is not a town. It is the site of a mine that changed hands several times before being purchased by Charles and Jeri Robson. Restoration of the "town" began with these new owners. Some buildings were restored...others brought in from other sites and a couple "built to look old" buildings were added.
Hundreds of antique equipment are on display...some restored to working order. Most of the buildings are filled with literally thousands of historical artifacts ranging from mineral samples, to native American artifacts, to a first edition "Mark Twain" novel. It would require a week to take it all in. My favorite buildings were the Opera house with it's rows and rows of super comfy reclining chairs and the ice cream parlor. I'd have given anything if it were in working order that day. Dairy Queen doesn't quite measure up.
In place of a crotchety old Tommyknocker – The tour guide and caretaker of the town is a lovely woman named Michelle. We paid our 30 bucks for a guided tour. I had too many questions about this hidden gem for a self tour. Toward the end of the tour, Michelle mentioned the Yavapai petroglyphs about a mile and a half up the canyon behind the town. I was definitely coming back.
The next day – I swapped horses and Phil and I hauled back to the Yavapai Warrior sign. I did a Google Map search of the area the night before...looking for a way to access the canyon with the petroglyphs without going through Mining World. There appeared to be a two-track road that forked off Robson's Road and headed north-west...skirting the mountains and leading to the petroglyphs from the back side.
Appearances can be deceiving, especially when it comes to Google maps! If there was ever anything remotely resembling a "road" – two-track or otherwise...it was established in an era prior to the petroglyphs themselves. What I had incorrectly deduced from Google Maps to be a 1.5 to 2 mile trail leading to the petroglyph's from the back side was anything but. 5 miles of rocky, cholla infested hell not fit for horse or dog. Especially hairy little Idaho Shag dogs with fluffy feet. Poor Pearl ended up head to toe in cholla and sticky weeds. We removed what we could, but I haven't yet stocked Drifter's saddle bags up to snuff and was not prepared. Something I will remedy soon! She was a trooper. We removed any that were bothering her and she carried on with the big dogs. Phil, I imagine....is likely spending his evening removing every imaginable sticky, prickly, pokey weed imaginable from his puppy's fat little fury butt.
Thankfully, I carry Drifter's boots in his saddle bags. I'm keeping him barefoot for a few more months at least. I put them on when we turned off the sandy road and made our way cross country in search of a way into the canyon. A very brutal, unforgiving canyon. We weaved our way through 3 miles of dense, cholla forest and sharp rock; ever on the lookout for rattlers. On the bright side – my colt is getting pretty good at moving off my legs. It's either leg yield and yield fast or it's a fetlock full of cholla! We would break out of the cholla only to dive down into a steep, rocky ravine and scramble up the other side. Once on top...more cholla. More rocks. More potential rattlers.
I don't know what I did to deserve the awesome critters God has sent me. After 13 years, I expect Jack to be safe, fearless and sound through rugged terrain. Thirteen years carrying me over some of the most rugged country around... I guess it's only natural. Drifter, on the other hand...has been packing me for little more than six months...and much of that is arena time. He's small – finer boned and less powerful than Jack. Yet...he's the smoothest ride ever. He's super light on his feet and appears to just float over rough terrain. He puts his head down and picks his way down steep, loose rock and bounds up the other side like his feet barely touch the ground. Effortless.
We don't need no stinking trail to get where we are going! We finally popped up to a faint trail that leads from Mining World to the petroglyphs. The last 2 feet of cholla did it's damnest to prevent access but we got it done. Phil stayed with the dogs while Drifter and I rode up the narrow canyon towards the petroglyphs. I recognized several landmarks Michelle had pointed out on a map. The "black tank." "The many armed saguaro," and the "cups" ground into the bedrock by native American peoples.
Drifter had no issue with leaving Tank behind and forging on ahead alone. He's independent if nothing else. The trail (using that term loosely) leading to the petroglyphs was narrow and steep; more suited for hiking than horseback. I didn't have hobbles with me and nothing substantial to tie to. I made the call to come back another day more prepared and spend some time in this area exploring.
We rode back to Phil, Tank and the dogs and took the trail into the backside of Mining World. Michelle greeted us on the outskirts of town. We told her of the route we took to the petroglyphs. She seemed surprised as she didn't think there was a way to access them without going through Mining World. We assured her there is...just not for the faint of heart! She said we were always welcome to ride on through town..no problem. While I appreciate that...I can't help but think there is a shorter way than the route we took and still avoid going through private property. It might not be an actual trail...but who needs actual trails when you shoot from the seat of your pants and ride a mountain goat!
This is long for a trail log – but I'm headed to Catalina State Park in the morning to ride with my friend Lynn. I don't have time for a full blown blog and wanted to get this posted and done for the next blog adventure...because damn it – if it's not at least somewhat of an adventure...what's the point of doing it?
Note #2: Groot got bit or stung by something! I noticed after we got home that his muzzle is swollen on one side of his face. I checked him all over for snake bite marks and don't see anything. Could have been a scorpion? I don't know...I gave him a shot of liquid Benadryl and he seems fine...albeit a little sleepy. Poor puppy. It was a rough day for the dogs.
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