How To Explore Big Eye Mine in Arizona!
If you like to find old gold mines, explore hidden mysteries and drive on rough terrain, let's look at how to explore Big Eye Mine in Arizona!
I never know what to expect, accept for the best, when we take our rig on an offroad trail. Sometimes you plan well for the big day, but other things could come up, like bad weather, or a vehicle that does not want to go. But for us this day, we had good weather and the rig decided it wanted to GO!
The Big Eye Mine, in southwestern Arizona, is an interesting place to visit, and along a dirt road with landscape scenery that will keep your eyes glued to it. Arizona is full of diverse landscapes that will keep you guessing what you may walk or drive into next! The Big Eye Mine is in the Castle Dome Mountains, located in the Kofa National Wildlife Refuge. A beautiful part of Arizona, part of the Sonora Desert that is a wonderland of desert fauna meant to be explored during cooler seasons!
What do you need to get started? Lets take a look:
A 4 wheel drive is a must. Even though this trail is rated as “easy,” it is good to have a 4 wheel drive in case if the road is a bit rough or if it rains and there is flooding. Although get out of the flooding!
Plenty of water for your thirsty vehicle in case if needed, any other fluids your rig may need.
Tools. You never know when you might need to change a tire or fix something minor quickly!
Snacks and plenty of water for you and anyone else coming with you.
A camera or phone. A must-do!
An app, like Alltrails, Trails Offroad or onX.
When you start, it looks pretty flat, with little pebbles around and small hills nearby. It looks simple so far, but I want you to imagine this: your eyes pivoting around, seeking mountains and their unusual shapes, wondering how these mountains were formed and why they were formed that way. Some of them look like they were in the shape of a piece of clay, and the Maker placed his fingers on each one and with great care, shaped them gingerly and carefully. The ones I am talking about are the Castle Dome Mountains.
Driving along the smooth road (at least so far), there is a shaft along the way that is a must-stop.
As you walk around, be careful of your steps as you don't want to fall in the shaft. I think this once had some kind of elevator systems to let the people down or some kind of steps so they could find the riches of their dreams. Let's continue on this easy road. Another thing that is important is to stay on the trail. There will be washes to cross, where careful tire placement will come into play.
The Big Eye Mine had its humble beginnings in 1863 by William Miller. He was a brilliant businessman that not only started other mining businesses in the Castle Dome District area but also found the first gold veins in Big Eye Mine. The most productive time was from 1910 - 1951. Let's picture ourselves living during this time: no or limited air conditioning (remember, this is the desert!); vehicles that are not as comfortable as today, or even just horses or mules; rough cabins were provided for the miners as the mine was far from town. I would gamble to say it was a rough time.
The main cabin where the miners stayed in is still in existence today.
This cabin consisted of bunk beds, a stove, running water from a nearby well and even a shower. The views around this cabin are amazing. Actually, people can stay there today if they need a place to stay overnight. It has a couple of beds, a guestbook to sign and artifacts to investigate. A modest hike is at the end of the offroad trail to access these cabins. It is an easy hike, just a half-mile uphill, but not strenuous. We took a walk around, and I took many photos. It is truly a unique place, with such a rich history, you can almost taste it! It is very quiet and peaceful, with some birds flying around. Take a walk and see for yourself what life was like in the early 1900s. Imagine yourself in one of the miner's shoes, digging for gold, for hours in the Arizona heat at Big Eye Mine.
The mine itself is slightly north of the cabin. We did not go to the mine since it was closed off. I heard recently that there is a fungus in the mine where bats are dying, so humans are not allowed there. Once you are done exploring, it is time to head back the same way you came.
Remember when I said how the Big Eye Mine got its name? Well, the name came from a nearby butte called, "Thumb Butte." There is a notch on this butte that is known as the "big eye," hence that is how the mine received its name. The mines died out in the 1950's. For us explorers, we get to travel to these unique places to seek, discover and explore about Arizona's past. Click on this link for driving directions to the place and driving on the trail itself. The trail beckons for each one of us to seek it, discover it, and traverse it as it waits for you.
