When Amanda said “Road trip” I quickly packed some snacks, water and camera. Destination, Gold King Mine Ghost Town.
I parked a couple days at friends, Amanda and Ron, about an hour north of my Yarnell destination. Had to wait for a last minute driveway widening so I could pull the big 5th-wheel in.
It’s all about the journey
Actually we planned this road trip the night before. Amanda was excited about sharing this scenic drive and the ghost town full of junk at the end. Bouncing down gravel roads through the middle of nowhere is my kind of fun. So Saturday we took a road trip not far east of Chino Valley on Perkinsville Road.
Started out moseying across cattle country toward the Black Hills.
Saw a couple of hawks fly low over the rodent filled grasses.
Butterflies found the last flowers.
Then began to climb through the juniper/pinyon woodlands.
Stopped several times to enjoy the views. So many colors, the golden plains of grasses and flowers, the orange eroded bluffs, distant green scrub scattered hills and even a snow topped peak on the horizon.
Yup we went up over that there mountain and through the cut of red rock that felt almost like a tunnel into another world on the downhill side.
Bonus destination
Gold King Mine Ghost Town turned out to be a photography paradise full of junk and stuff and old trucks and dilapidated buildings.
Upon entering the gift shop and seeing the typical made in China junk I was a little worried about what could be behind the closed door to the ghost town. But I paid my age appropriate $5 to find out.
No need to worry.
Piles of rusty stuff everywhere.
Photo opportunities everywhere I turned. Vehicles in all states of repair and disrepair.
My favorite was the 1914 saw mill which when cranked up puts on quite a show. Not sure if the dragon is that old or not.
Owner, Don Robertson, has been collecting for 30 years to add to the 100 year old gold mining town of Haynes. He says, “I’ve only got a little over 6 acres, but it’s covered with 20 acres worth of stuff.”
When it comes to mechanics I believe Don has the skills and parts to fix anything on the land.
Gold King Mine was owned in 1890 by the Haynes Copper Co. Astride one of the richest copper deposits in history, miners sunk a shaft 1,200 feet into the mountain and struck not copper but gold.
Seems as Don Robertson has found his own kind of gold. Number 39 is where his little dog sleeps all day.
This delightfully bumpy gravel drive of about 35 miles offers a variety of landscapes and took around two hours with photo stops to get to the outstkirts of Jerome, the Gold King Mine Ghost Town. I could positively return many times and never see it all.
That place is amazing and thanks so much for the visit. Wow those cars are quite something. I hate it when I buy something in a shop to remind me of some place we have visited and then discover there is a made in China mark on it!! Take care Diane
I fully agree with your journey statement. A journey should be as much part of the trip than the destination. What’s the use of only rushing to where you are going and missing what is along the way.
The Ghost Town looks like an amazing place to explore and like I said on FB, a great place for a geocaching. But I’m sure there is one already.
It’s always about the journey.
There would be 100s if not 1000s of places to hide geocaches in the ghost town.
Your post had me when I saw Ghost Town and Road Trip. What a road trip, what a ghost town. I love old junk.
I’ll have to return several times to see what I missed the first time.
Well, now I’ve got to go there. I loved that drive down to Yarnell over the mountain. It was beautiful and the view went for forever.
If you don’t have a rig to take on the bumpy Perkinsville Rd a paved road to Jerome will do it. Many gorgeous views up here.
How fun! I love old towns like that!
What a great road. Love the picture of the cut in the mountain. Your line “felt almost like a tunnel into another world “. I was sure anxious to see the other side. What an entrepeneur to turn an abandoned mine area into such a collection. Saving it all from the landfill and making a buck besides. Nice recycling! :-))
I’d say Don is a smart guy to charge to see his junk. And it was worth every dime.
I sure do love #39 too!! What fun a place like this is. Thanks for sharing. The road getting there alone was worth it – really beautiful country.
Was super wonderful to get out like that. I love to cruise.
Gaelyn: What a fun place, you got some great captures from the ghost town. I love the old stock car. My neighbor used to race them.
I should have been taking notes about all the kinds of cars. I don’t know one from another. I’d bet Don has raced that stock car.
Very cool…tho I’ve been to Jerome many times I have yet to tour the Gold King. That’s going to change this winter as soon as we’re in the neighborhood. Thanks, G.,
Box Canyon Mark
I like the Gold King better than Jerome though you could take the paved road there and then it’s a mile out of town. Let me know when you’re in the neighborhood.
So funny, I was admiring your photos and then I said to myself, wait a minute, I know that place. We’ve been there! It’s pretty crazy alright but your photos really captured it. Jerome is a fun place to spend the day.
That’s funny. I enjoyed the Gold King more than Jerome.
Road trip! Love it when you get out and about in the U.S. So much to see here too. Hate the Chinese stuff in the gift shop but the rest of the Ghost Town was great.
You are so right about seeing the USA. I’ve traveled much of it, but there’s always more. Hope to find the time to see more local places.
What an interesting place to photograph! So much to see! I have only seen Ghost Towns on TV. Thanks for sharing!
I think you’d have to live there to see it all.
Great photos, Gaelyn. What a fun place to visit.
Is this same Amanda and Ron, formerly of WA? I miss reading Amanda’s blog and seeing her photos.
Thanks Sally. Yes, the same Amanda and Ron. She doesn’t blog any more.
Beautiful country – loved the photo of the hawk.
Thanks. I got lucky on that one.
Mmm, the sound of that sawmill really is satisfying! A great collection of old gear and I LOVE the house art the end, great landscapes too. Really nice place to go exploring with a friend. I’m all for bumpy gravel roads too ‘though sometimes you’d think you got there quicker if you walked.
I don’t usually like loud ‘noises’ but found the saw mill rather soothing in an unusual way.
I would love to be able to wander around that place! The collection looks delightfully random.
It is definitely an eclectic place.
What a nice change of pace and diversion from the trials of moving “home”. Looks like you had a grand time there.
Was a much needed diversion. Now home and after two days finally have all my utilities working. Hope you had a safe journey.
We just left that area the end of Sept. That is a real cool place and yes it would take multiple trips to take it all in. Jerome too.
Great pics.
So much to see everywhere we go.
That’s my idea of a good time too (the bouncy roads bit) and I love the scenery. Bill would love the junk er I mean collections. And I’d love meeting the guy! He’s an original…it’s always a privilege to get to know one. What a great roadtrip.
Back road boogie is always fun and the junk is amazing.
Gaelyn, I loved seeing this Ghost TOwn. You caught some great images of an era gone by as well as some fabulous Nature shots. Great trip!
This is one very awesome place.
I love Jerome! I would love taking the back roads to get there. It looked like a fun time. Your hawk shot is divine Ms. O. The Red-tail is gorgeous.
Back roads are the best Thanks, that red-tailed posed a bit.