DWTH Day 30: Gibraltar & Buckskin Mountains

Daily Miles: 20.4, Total Miles: 448.5

Hooting owls and braying burros last night – that’s my life!

I got an early start by headlamp on a sandy hike to Planet Ranch, adjacent to the Bill Williams River and an historic copper mining area from 1880 well into the 1900’s, assays of 5% copper, unheard of for many years. Now a conservation area managed by Arizona Game & Fish, my primary interest was drinking water, and yes, I found a building with a working faucet and hose. No loitering allowed so I was quick.

The rest of the day was spent in the Buckskin and Gibraltar Mountains with numerous mines or prospects which perked my interest.

Up and down washes, along old mine roads and over a few passes, I also dropped down Osborne Wash to pick up a water cache.

I’m bushed and at dusk, cleared a spot in a wash for my tent. Hope to make it to Parker tomorrow, a few repairs and rest badly needed.

Birds of the day, both at a pond near Planet Ranch: Crissal Thrasher and a Verdin.