Wednesday, January 17, 2018 (LaPosa South LTVA, Quartzsite, AZ)

Ride day today! Yes, we hit the trails on our quads again today...so, as usual, this blog post is full of pictures showing the beauty of the Arizona desert.

We started off with 3 SxS's (Jim/Cec, Roger/Cindi and Roger/Cindi...yes, "the original Roger and Cindi" brought along their friends also named Roger and Cindi) and 3 quads (Steve, Gerry and me). Again, Steve lead the ride and I brought up the back as "tail-gunner". I say "we started off with" because at our first stop before reaching the canyon, a couple in a SxS stopped and asked if we were lost..."no, we're not lost, are you?" Apparently they were looking for Apache Chief cabin and since we were headed that way...after a stop at Dripping Springs...we invited them to join us. So Floyd and Vera fell in line as we continued on the trail.

On our way through the canyon wash to Dripping Springs...
Our destination comes into view...

But first we have some technical trail riding ahead...

Jim and Cec...

Roger and Cindi...

And their friends, Roger and Cindi, what are the odds, and the same spelling too!

Floyd and Vera with me bringing up the rear...

Turning right to Dripping Springs...

And up we go!

The Teddy Bear Cholla cactus grove is beautiful up here...

After checking out the Dripping Springs and Petroglyphs we're ready to roll...

Our next stop way across the valley, but first we have to wait for this huge group of 16 to pass...

Down we go...

Back onto the main trail...

And our turn to tackle the hill that group just came down...

...and up...

...and up...

Looking back at our group climbing the hill with Dripping Springs at the base of the highest mountain...

On to Apache Chief Cabin...

Another hill climb...

Remnants of a stone structure on the right...

Arriving at Apache Chief Cabin...

And Lunch Time...

Our next stop is Gold Nugget Mine...with Guadalupe Mountain in the background and our next destination....the top!

This is quite the climb to the top of Guadalupe...

I-10 highway below looking west towards Quartzsite, and Gerry on the switchback below. As usual, I stopped and waited at the first switchback...that's high enough for me!

The steepest part of the road has been paved with concrete...

The pictures don't capture how steep this really is...

Almost there!

View of the Gold Nugget Mine below and the valley we came through from Apache Chief Cabin...

Close up of Gold Nugget Mine...

Quartzsite, barely visible, is on the top left and the free BLM camping area on Plamosa Rd. is also barely visible on the top right...

Closeup of all those RV's on Plamosa Rd!

Looking east towards the town of Brenda...

Time to head back down...

You can barely make out the others coming down...

Lots of switchbacks!

Those that don't like the heights stayed below, Roger, Cindi and me...

Steve's waiting on the "old" I-10 for the rest to catch up...

On our way to the Belle of Arizona Mine area...

Looks like they were following a vein in an open trench when they mined this...

Looking back at the same trench from above...

We walked to the top of the hill to the other mine. Gerry checking it out...

Look at the size of that Quartz vein...

We had a nice break at the Belle of Arizona Mine and then it was time to carry on through Teddy Bear Pass. We're now heading down Teddy Bear Canyon, another steep trail...

Our trail in the distance...

Everyone waiting for me to bring up the rear...

Arriving at Spanish Cabin...

It's amazing how many stone cabins are in the desert here!

Gerry and Floyd, bit of a fixer upper!

Up we go...

To another steep hill...

Above and below photos give a better idea how steep it is...

Arriving at another stone cabin near the Mitchel Mine area...

Restroom facilities for the ladies...

Cec, Floyd, Cindi and Roger checking out the mock graves...

R.I.P. Sheriff Roy Shot Cuz His Gun Was Just A Toy...

Cec, Bosco and Jim fooling around...

Up the hill above the cabin to our final stop of the day...

Overlooking the Mitchel Mine area with Quartzsite on the top right...

Time to head home...

Stone cabin left of centre...

This part of the trail is another favourite with lots of ups and downs and twists and turns...

We arrived home at around 3:30...another great 5 1/2 hour ride with no mishaps this time! After dusting ourselves off, unloading the cargo boxes and getting cleaned up...it was time to wash the dust down with an adult beverage as we watched the sun get lower in the sky...