Friday, March 9, 2012

HARQUEHALA MOUNTAIN

Karen Mills in an abandoned ruin at the base of Harquehala Mountain


A large old water basin: for the animals would be my guess.






On our way up: pretty red barrel cacti on the side of the mountain.




This poor old Saguaro got decapitated.




Quite a steep climb. We walked up about a half mile.





This amazing saguaro was on our way up. Denny is 6'3" tall. We estimated the saguaro to be 30-40 feet tall. Saguaros grow approx. 1" per year. About 8' of this one was below the banking.





definitely a tall one!



Inside the old mine on Harquehala Mountain




small metal tracks lead inside the mine.




looking back out towards the entrance




This streak of copper residue followed along the side of the mine shaft.



Looking out to the entrance of the mine






remnants of the old wooden framework in front of the mine



As if we hadn't climbed up far enough, Paul (Billy Goat Fournier) had to go up to the next ridge to look down on us!




The old wooden structure as we first saw it.




a five foot tall Teddy Bear Cholla on the side of our path




A tiny cactus clings tenatiously to a rock crevice.