Here's a few shots of the Martinez Mine Trail done on 5/1/09.








See you on the trail!

 

We haven’t ventured much past the cabins yet. I’m thinking 35s would be a must, so as long as we have 32s I’m thinking we should wait.

How bad did you find the rock garden? How did you find the luge?

Looks like it was a good run!

 

sweet scenery!

 

The Rock Garden was interesting. Had to stack a few rocks to get over anything more than 3 feet high. There's the "bypass", but that was almost as bad as the main rock garden. This guy (not in our party) tried the main rock garden:



This guy made it up the Rock Garden but decided to turn around when the rest of his party couldn't make it. This is going down the bypass.



The way up to the luge was way more difficult than the luge itself. Many of the switchbacks were washed out. A lot of boulder hopping where there used to be road.



Other than a nice out of control drop near the top, it's pretty much just a very steep down - for almost 500' for the steep part. This picture is at the bottom of the steepest part of the luge. Wasn't so bad as I was able to bring the Jeep to a stop to take the picture.

 

Looks great! So your pictures were in the rock garden bypass? Looked like a rock garden to me.

What’s the bypass to the luge look like compared to the luge itself?

Did you visit the processing plant or any of the mines?

Based on your comments and pictures I assume I wouldn’t make it with 32s and a 2.5” lift.

Did anyone from your group get any carnage?

One of these days we’ll give it a shot - as long as it remains open that is.

 

The bypass and the Rock Garden were almost equal - it's just that the main Rock Garden had just bigger rocks and no close-by small rocks to stack. The hard part was two 90 degree turns in about the length of a TJ. The TJ I was with needed to do a 6 point turn (or so) to make it. Needless to say the JK took a lot more to get it pointed at the next obstacle. A lot of boulder crawling just to get the Jeep aligned with something I could make. Once aligned it was almost easy. (almost).

We went out the next day with the wives to Martinez Cabin and drove to the Rock Garden. Someone had a rough time making it up the bypass. A lot of dug out ground from excessive wheel spin. Many of the rocks had noticeable chunks missing. There was also was a sizable puddle of oil! Whoever was there didn't understand the concept of "finesse"!

There is no bypass anymore. There's only one way - down the middle.

Did the processing plant. Didn't stop too long at the mines themselves as we did Woodpecker and part of Highway to Hell earlier in the day.



I have 35's and 4" of lift and spent a lot of time on the rock rails and skid plates. Judge for yourself!

No body parts (mine or Jeep) were seriously injured. A few minor dings and scraps, all on the armor. Probably need a couple of dabs of touch-up paint to keep rust away.

I hear it is in danger of being shut down. Write to the BLM and ask them to keep it open!

Completely off topic (sort of), here's a shot of the "bordello". Story has it some girls set up shop in this cave below Martinez Cabin. Would provide the miners services not otherwise found in such a remote place. I checked it out. Appears they are out of business.

 

Thanks for the extra info. I think I will wait till we get 35s before we attempt it!

Sounds like you had a really busy day. We usually just do the loop to the Cabins and back thought Box Canyon and call it a day.

Glad to hear no carnage.

Yeah, have heard the same thing. I think the Mine/Canyon is actually private property or something.

Thanks again for the extra info and extra pics!

 

Thank you again for the great pics. I wish I was in AZ. right now wheelin'.

 

cool pictures!!!!!!

 

Awsome looking trails