Area: Land above Lake Pleasant
Goal: To find and travel through the old ghost town of Columbia and to find Tule Creek ruins
Driver: Offroadaz with Yellowsub and I
Driver: Randy with wife

We started out in the morning meeting up with Randy at Lake Pleasant. We ran into a couple problems with accessible entry ways posted as Private Property. Found some interesting possible Creek Runs during the search.
On our third try, we found ourselves on a trail that had promise. It led us past some posted roads and then just as we were getting close to Columbia we ran into a gate. While assessing, A truck pulled up to us and the driver asked, "What you boys lookin' for?" I said "Columbia."
"Now why would you want to go there?"
"Because it's on the map."
"Well, I'm the caretaker. Come on and follow me."
About 10min past the gate, we were at his place surrounded by mines and just above what was left of Columbia. He gave us the short story tour identifying certain structures and areas around and then let us go explore on our own. We didn't spend too much time at the old site on the river (I'd like to go back and see some of the old grave sites), but had a good look before gearing it up the old road towards Tip Top and our next destination.
The road just kept going up and up and we passed tons of mines, some named and some not, and a Subaru that lost it's entire front suspension in the steeply angled ruts. We stopped halfway up to take in the view and check out an old mine tractor. The lake was viewable from that vantage point too.
We finished out our driving leg by cresting the hill and then dropping down to an access point to Tule Creek. We ate lunch and then began hiking down stream. We ended up finding three different Ruin sites, hiking down a good couple miles. We also saw 15-20 Javalenias scattering away.
When we got back to the vehicles we nixed our plan of completing the trip up to Tip Top and out through TM because there were evening plans set back in town. The quickest way, we guessed, was back the way we came since we at least knew what the trail entailed. Turns out coming back down the steep hill was adventure in itself with empty reservoirs and smoking brakes, but the bottom was reached on all fours and we made it back into town in time for enagements.

Pics later

Sounds like a great time.

Skatchkins wrote:Turns out coming back down the steep hill was adventure in itself with empty reservoirs and smoking brakes, but the bottom was reached on all fours

Yep, that was an interesting ride coming down. As we were descending I kept thinking of that Bronco that lost control on Lions Back :)g)

Mike remember the donkeys we saw in the morning? Someone shot all of them

That's messed up

That sucks. Hope that doesn't hurt us.

Why would people do that???

K. Some non donkey pics:











K. Sorry. Enough of that
Crossing Humbug Creek


Getting steep above Columbia


L Pleasant view




First set of Ruins




2nd set






3rd set

Here's a couple of mine

This one is pretty cool

Cool. It's an official hike on Hike Arizona now :cool)