Dead Burro Canyon (made you just want to read this post, huh??) -- A couple in the park (Sue & Ernie) invited us to go on a UTV ride to find a canyon that is near the small town of Wenden, AZ -- the location is on the back side of Lake Alamo (yes, Alamo). We had never trailered the UTV or been to that location -- so we had many new things to learn.
Ernie was trying to redeem himself as he took another couple there to find it and was unable to locate the entrance to the canyon (also, Ernie named it Dead Burro Canyon because the first time he went there, there was a dead burro in the canyon -- he thought it has been killed by a mountain lion)
NOTE: Sue was in the ladies pistol class year and they were on the lot across from us last year).
First we had some trailer issues hooking it to the truck, the wiring was too tight and Darrel and I had to spend 1.5 hours getting it to work, we had to borrow Quick links from Bob to make the tow chains connect to the truck and then figure out how to tie down (that was the easiest task). We were ready to roll on Saturday.
Mornings are still pretty chilly so we headed out around 8:30am and the drive is about 1.5 hours to get to the pull off where you can leave the trucks/trailers and unload the UTVs. It was a beautiful day with mild temps and no wind -- I asked Darrel if he had the key to the UTV and he didn't have it!!! Thankfully, we had just zip tied one under the frame (we now understand why??? we add a hide-a-key on everything we own). What a disappointment that would have been, arrive and no way to ride!
We headed off down the pipeline road and encountered our only wildlife -- donkeys --pretty sure they were burros like at Lake Pleasant --- much bigger so I am calling them donkeys. I tried to snap a pick but they are wild and took off to the brush -- I could count 3.
Right smack in the middle is a donkey body (you can see the lightness between the shrub)
If you look closely to the left center you can see the face and ears of one. I wish I had been faster on the camera draw 😐
Next we headed up to old mine shafts and found this deep canyon tucked away.
We were surrounded by mountain terrain most of the day -- still find the saguaros there too.
Ravines were along both sides of the trail.
We are starting to descend into the canyon. Amazing how much change in the geography.
Some of the formations reminded me of the Who Doos at Bryce Canyon.
Mountains in the distance
We stopped for lunch, Sue, Ernie and me -- along with their dog, Patch! She loves to ride like Ruger.
Darrel was the photographer and captured the cliff behind us.
We weren't sure if we could make it through the canyon but thought we were explore a little more.
It narrows down considerably as we continued up the canyon.
The cliffs close in.
This piece had fallen off and the wavy patterns caught my eye.
Another image in the rock (remember Colorado and even here in Arizona)
A closer shot --- here's my idea
Mother looking at her baby, woman looking at a book or woman looking in a mirror???
What does your imagination see in this rock formation???
I love catching the saguaros that stand guard at the canyon rim -- ever present here in AZ
Ernie pointed out that the burros/donkeys dig in the soil to find water -- there were several of those along the canyon floor.
Next on the stop was the Magnesium mine and there was a sludge puddle where it had been mined.
Tried to zoom in on the "greenish" pile in the center (remnants of the mining process).
My last photo of the surroundings at the mine -- the terrain is so varied.
Darrel and I often comment that I use to think Arizona was just desert but the mountain ranges are abundant (maybe not the Rockies) but amazing to see amid the desert terrain.
We returned to the trucks and loaded (less problems this time around) and headed back to the Ranch. We were all tired but had a glorious day for the trip and enjoyed wonderful sights.
So I guess we could rename the canyon to just Burro Canyon (that is what us ladies thought sounded better). We hope to return someday soon and explore a few of the washes that traveled out of the canyon.
Until our next journey,
sending our love and blessings,
Susan & Darrel
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