FIELD TRIP POSTPONED !

A scouting trip over the weekend has reported the road into the mine has dramatically worsened.  I am working with the Daisy Mountain Club to put together a capable crew to make repairs on the road.  I do not yet have a date selected but I would like to do it before mid-December.  If you have a high clearance 4WD in good off road condition, pick and shovel, and a strong back, let me know.  When a date is selected we can scout and repair the road into this popular collecting area.

Saturday, November 19, 2022

- Leader Name:  Stan and Sue Celestian / Bill Freese (Daisy Mtn Club)

 - Leader Vehicle Description:  2018 Toyota Tacoma, reddish orange with a winch bumper in front.  AZ License Plate - USA GLG  (The GLG is the 3 letter prefix for college Geology classes.)

 - Leader Contact Info if other than website:  Cell Phone - 602 319 0224  (there maybe limited coverage at  meeting area.)

 - Fee’s if any and how to be paid:  No Fees

 - RSVP by (Date & Time):  November 11 by midnight

 - Meet-Up Place:  0.18 miles past (south) MP 140 State Route 177 on dirt road that heads north.

 - Meet-Up Date and Time:  Saturday, November 19 at 9:30 AM.  Departure to the mine is at 9:40 AM SHARP!

 - As a courtesy for Group who arrive on time, Trip Leaders are not waiting for stragglers past Departure Time.  Late comers can find their way into the mine easily.

- Due to the extensive area within the mine, if you plan on driving away from the group you MUST let one of the trip leaders know your plans.  This is to ensure the trip leaders that everyone is accounted for at the end of the trip.  I will have a note pad and pencil on the tailgate of my truck so you can write down your plans in case you can not find me or one of the other leaders.

 - Trip Duration:  From arrival time (~10:00 AM) to 2:00 PM.  DUE TO THE NATURE OF THE ROADS AND TERRAIN, IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO STAY LONGER BE SURE TO CONTACT ONE OF THE TRIP LEADERS TO CONFIRM YOU WILL BE STAYING LONGER AND TAKE PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR EXTENDED STAY.

- Trip Intent:  This field trip is designed for members to safely collect around the parking area within the mine.  If you would like to explore roads beyond the main road in, climb rocks, hike extensively (beyond sight of the parking area), save that exploration for another time and not within the liability of MSA.

 - Register on MSA website, MSA members only, read and accept Liability Waiver when registering for trip.  This trip is NOT for children.

 - Rate Physical demands of trip: 1 to 10.  This is an abandoned open pit mine with miles of road to explore.  Staying on or near the roads is easy (1) but climbing rubble slopes can be rigorous and dangerous (10).

 - Rate type vehicle needed based on terrain:  Long before reaching the Velasco Pit sections of the road require 4WD with high clearance.  For that reason I am requiring high clearance 4WD vehicles ONLY for this trip.  Sections of the road are very rough and very narrow (as in no place to pass or turn around.  Breaking down or getting stuck on this road will be a major problem for you and the entire group. 

 - Material to be collected:  The Chilito Mine is a copper mine with an extensive oxidized zone.  Copper silicates, oxides and carbonates are found here.  Some very nice mineral specimens to very colorful yard rocks can be collected.  I have not explored much of the area so there may be other interesting rocks to collect.

 - List Safety PPE needed: safety glasses, gloves, clothing, hard hat, other:  Gloves, safety glasses and sturdy boots are required.  There are many angular rocks along the slopes and wearing heavy, durable pants can offer some protection.  2 way radios are a great way to contact the leaders within the mine (in case you have a problem).  The frequencies will be determined at the meeting place.

 - List Tools needed: hammers, chisels, other:  The material to be collected consists of rocks that can simply be picked up to boulders that need sledge hammers, wedges, pry bars, etc.

 - List ancillary items needed: sunscreen, hat, water, lunch, bug spray, bucket, first aid kit, other:  Yes, all of these as well as all-purpose-paper.

 Additional INFO:  This area has many steep and potentially unstable rubble slopes and steep rock faces that can be dangerous. The trip is not open to children under 16.  

 - If RSVP’d you will go, please show up.  If you are unable to go, contact the Trip Leader as soon as possible so that the members are not held up waiting for a no show, and allow others on a waiting list to attend.  Although the road to the mine is fairly straightforward, it is often the trip leader’s courtesy to stay behind or assign someone to stay behind to meet stragglers.  Being late is not socially acceptable behavior.  Plan ahead and be on time - or early.

We will be accompanied by members of the Daisy Mountain Club (Anthem).  It is, if nothing else, a GREAT place to pick up some blue/green yard rocks from chips to boulders and everything between.  Our destination is the Velasco Pit within the mine.  But once we get to the mine you can explore many other areas and perhaps find your own treasure.  Following are some of my favorites I collected at the mine:

 Cuprite with minor native copper in chrysocolla infused quartz.

Chrysocolla with fungus-like growth of malachite.

YARD ROCKS !

Azurite and Malachite along fractures in rock.