December 2, 2016 - Gould Mine, Sendero Esperanza, King Canyon Hike.

Gould Mine, Sendero Esperanza, King Canyon Hike

The Hugh Norris Key Swap Hike that was scheduled was changed due to construction on the road and inability to drive to the Hugh Norris Trailhead. The hike we choose was a very pleasant and fun hike. The weather was cool but great for hiking.

The hiking group assembled at the Red Hills Visitors Center.

http://www.saguaronationalpark.com/pdf/Saguaro-National-Park-Trails-West.pdf

Long Hike

We started the hike at the Trailhead of Gould Mine and King Canyon Trail. We hiked along the Gould Mine Trail toward Sendero Esperanza Trail where we saw a Copper Mine which was created by S.H. Gould in 1906.

This mine was productive until 1954. The remnants include a wooden head frame and a 300-foot pit covered by a grate. We passed a rock structure that was built to store explosives just before the mine. When the mine was going to be turned it an open pit mine by the Banner Mining Company backed by the Bureau of Land Management in the 1950’s, Tucson residents were vocal in their opposition. Because of this action, Saguaro National Monument was expanded by Presidential Proclamation 3439 issued by President Kennedy on November 15, 1961. This action successfully defeated future claims at the Gould Mine by including it along with 5,360 acres of land as the western unit of Saguaro National Monument.

 

                                         1913 - Picture Courtesy of Tallia Cahoon

http://tucson.com/news/local/mine-tales-gould-mine-remnants-remain-in-tucson-mountains/article_593c4546-ba20-55cb-8324-eb71d8d88c67.html

From the mine, we hiked up the Sendero Esperanza Trail to the junction of Hugh Norris Trail. We backtracked down the Sendero Esperanza Trail, past the mine again then headed up to the Mam-A-Gah Picnic area. After lunch, we walked a short distance to a wash where we saw the petroglyphs. Instead of hiking down the wash we turned back and walked on a ridge/road trail that follows the parts of the wash of the King Canyon Trail. This took us back to the trailhead.  

Short Hike

This group followed much the same path as the long hike. They also went to the Mam-A-Gah Picnic area and hiked along the same route as the long hike on the way back to the trailhead.

            

                                           

                            

                                                              

  

 

           

Sharon's last hike with our group at Palm Creek

  

 

 
 

 

 

Petroglyphs                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      

 

Gould Mine, Sendero Esperanza/King’s Canyon, Saguaro NP West

   Take I-10 SE to exit 236. Turn right and then again right (past the frontage road), onto Marana Road. Drive one mile and turn left onto North Sanders Road drive four miles. At the stop sign turn left onto Avra Valley Road. Drive one mile and turn right onto Sandero Road. Proceed 9 miles and turn left at the entrance, Kinney Road. Drive 1.7  miles to the visitor’s center on left.   32° 15’14.72”N,   111° 11’50.26W