Huachuca Mountains: Wakefield Canyon Hike - & Montezuma's Pass: December 30, 2013

To celebrate the end of 2013 and the beginning of 2014, Fred and Mary Ann Hoff,  BB and I went for a hike in the Huachuca Mountains.

The hike is locally called the "Wakefield Canyon" hike.  According to my source "Trails of the Huachuas" by Leonard Taylor, mining above Wakefield Camp began about the time of the Civil War, although apparently little ore was taken out.  Jack Wakefield owned the property in 1896, mining more investors than minerals.  Now owned by the US Forest Service, all buildings have been removed.


This was a five(plus)-mile hike, according to BB's pedometer, and the end of the trail is the Copper Glance Mine where a pipe coming from the collapsed tunnel trickles a fair amount of water into a small pool at the mine's entrance.  The elevation at the mine shaft was approximately 6,650 feet, and the views were spectacular.

Here are some photos from our Wakefield Canyon hike:

View of the Huachucas at the Start of the Hike

Fred, Bonnie and Mary Ann Discuss Serious Hiking Subjects

Mine Shaft Structure near the Start of the Hike

I'm Not Sure those Boards would Keep you from Falling In

Likely Mountain Mohogany

The Trail Gets Steeper

And Rockier

Fred Exploring the Copper Glance Mine Shaft at the Summit

After our hike, not being ready to go home, we drove up narrow, winding mountain roads to Montezuma's Pass.  At the top, there is a nice overlook with incredible views.  There are two additional hikes at the top of Montezuma's Pass; Joe's Canyon trail which goes from the overlook down to the national park visitor center, and the summit trail.  Perhaps we will hike both of those later.

Here are some photos from our trip up to Montezuma's Pass:

Fred - Bonnie - Mary Ann 

You Can See Forever!  The dark line moving diagonally through the picture is the international boundary fence.  

Fred and Mary Ann at the Overlook

More to come;  till next time.