Retracing Glory Hole Mine Trail is required to rejoin the Desert Queen Mine Trail and to continue to Calcite Mine. Vertical shafts at Calcite Mine were used to retrieve the calcite and are scattered about the site. Four-wheel-drive roads branch from here to other Granite Wash Mountain mine sites. The completion of the route from Calcite Mine is quick and easy to the town of Salome.
The Desert Queen and Glory Hole Mine Trails provide considerably more solitude than trails closer to Quartzsite. We encountered no other vehicles.
Listening carefully to instructions...
Listening carefully to instructions from the spotter my Dad, driving a big Chevy 4x4 pickup, avoids damage from the rocks.
Somewhat more difficult 4x4 trails exist in the Harcuvar Mountains north of Wenden and the McMullen Valley. This valley is a hot-bed of agricultural activity. Deep wells and the Central Arizona Project provide water for irrigation. Alfalfa, cotton, garbanzo beans, pistachios, and wheat are grown here. But the valley is best known for the sizable production of several varieties of melons.
Alamo Lake Road is driven northward across the McMullen Valley. A turn is then made at Bonanza Road, which heads directly towards the Harcuvar Mountains. Near the base of the mountain, a few quail alongside the roadway are startled. Other wildlife, including many deer, are at home in the Harcuvars.
Gaining elevation on the mountain trail, the density of Saguaro cactus increases. Southern exposures and mountainside soils seem to favor its growth.
A rough branch road leads up to the Bonanza Mine. This mine site, as well as numerous others further up the mountain, were quite productive. Gold was the treasure sought in the Harcuvar Mountains.
Climbing steadily up the mountain beyond the Bonanza Mine, the 4x4 route then begins a series of steep, loose, hairpin switchback turns up to a saddle on the mountain. Rigs with lockers and low gearing should be able to make the entire climb. But, should there be any concern about vehicle braking capabilities or its ability to crawl slowly downhill, it likely is a wiser choice to park and then hike the steepest portion up to the saddle.
Just past the top of the saddle, a locked gate blocks access to 4x4 trails that lead to other mines. From this point, a captivating panoramic view takes in a variety of mining remnants, including a several hundred foot long inclined railway. It had been used to lower ore down the mountain from the main shaft to a loading area.
Another mining area on the flanks of Harcuvar Peak to the west was explored. To reach it, we returned to Alamo Lake Road and then headed back south towards Wenden. A right turn was made at Roberts Road. This route leads back to the Harcuvar Mountains, passing by numerous fields that contribute to the successful agricultural production in the area.
Where Roberts Road ends at the base of the mountains, numerous 4x4 trails lead to various mine shafts and adits. The branch trail to Doland Mine continues westward, ultimately leading over the mountain at Cottonwood Pass. Exploring those branches would have to wait for a future visit, time constraints only permitting a continuation on the trail straight ahead.
While not steep, the climb in elevation on this 4x4 road is steady. Ultimately, further travel ahead disappears in a jumble of huge boulders. The topographical map actually shows the trail continuing a little farther, but absolutely no evidence of such could be located. Perhaps during past mining activities it was a pack trail, but now it's been completely obliterated by nature.
 Here's one of several shafts...  Here's one of several shafts at the especially-productive Glory Hole Mine. |  Here's one of several shafts...  Here's one of several shafts at the especially-productive Glory Hole Mine. |  Barrel Cactus finds a nic...  Barrel Cactus finds a niche. |