MSA FIELD TRIP INFORMATION
DEADLINE TO RSVP IS FRIDAY JULY 5, 2024 BY 6PM.
BISBEE & TOMBSTONE MINE TOURS
This tour is for both MSA members and Daisy Mountain Club Members.
We are reaching out to everyone to let them know about an exciting weekend field trip ahead.
Ken Elliott, trip leader, has scheduled a tour of the Queen Mine in Bisbee on Saturday, July 20th followed by a Good Enough Mine Tour in Tombstone on Sunday, July 21st. For those of you who would like to challenge yourself a bit more, there is an optional Tour of the ToughNut Mine in Tombstone.
Ken received a group rate for the Queen Mine Tour in Bisbee of $14.00/person. The cost for the Good Enough Mine Tour in Tombstone is $18.00/person. The Toughnut Mine tour is $100.00. If we have 10 or more people sign up for the Toughnut Mine Tour, Robert (The mine manager) will lower the cost to $75.00.
Ken has paid for everything upfront out of his pocket to get the group rate at the Queen Mine Tour as well as secure the time slots for us. All Ken asks is that you either reimburse him by cash or check in the respective parking lots before each tour begins.
In addition to the information below regarding meeting places and times for breakfast each morning, Ken would also like to provide everyone with a few more places to go while they are in southern Arizona.
The Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, 5 Copper Queen Plaza, Bisbee, Az. 85603, is open everyday from 10:00a-4:00p. It is listed as a Smithsonian Affiliate and they have done an incredible job in this museum. General admission is $10.00. It is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of Bisbee and a wonderful opportunity to look at some beautiful mineral specimens from this area of the state.
Ken has spoken to Harold, owner of the A to Z Rock Shop in Sierra Vista. The Sierra Vista Gem and Mineral Show will take place at the Sierra Vista Mall, 2200 El Mercado Loop, Sierra Vista, Az. 85635, on Saturday, July 20 through Sunday July 21 from 10:00a-6:00p. Go check it out if you have the time. Harold also told Ken to tell everyone from both MSA and Daisy Mountain Mineral Clubs to mention their respective membership affiliation to him at his table for a 10% discount.
Ken will speak to Kathy this next week. She is the owner of the Wizard’s Workshop, 800 E. Fremont St., Tombstone, Az. 85638. This shop has been around for 50+ years and has great mineral specimens as well as beautiful jewelry. The days/hours are normally Tuesday through Saturday from 10:00a-5:00p. Ken will see if she is willing to open up on Sunday if there are enough people interested in checking out her shop the day of the Tombstone Mine tours. Ken usually needs to give her a day notice. Our Good Enough Mine Tour is from 11:00a-11:45a. We are sure people will want to grab lunch after the tour, so 1:00p may be a good time for her to open up her shop if we have people who are interested. Please let Ken know so he can give her a call.
GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRIP
There are many hotels, bed and breakfast and accommodations around both Bisbee and Tombstone. Each party is responsible for their own accommodations.
Saturday July 20th
For those who are interested, we are planning to eat breakfast at 7:00a beforehand at the Bisbee Breakfast Club on 75 Erie St, Bisbee, AZ 85603. See menu @ www.bisbeebreakfastclub.com.
We will be meeting at 9:30a at the Parking Lot outside the Queen Mine Tour site. Our Mine Tour starts at 10:30a. Queen Mine Tours is located in the far southeast corner of Bisbee, Arizona - 478 Dart Road, Bisbee, AZ 85603. Directions from Tucson or Douglas, Arizona use this link https://www.queenminetour.com/Location
After the Queen Mine Tour, individuals are free to do what they want for the remainder of the day. They can visit the Bisbee Mining and Historical Museum, walk around Bisbee and visit the shops and restaurants or travel over to Sierra Vista for the Sierra Vista Gem and Mineral Show.
Ken will work on booking a table at a restaurant for dinner for those who want to join.
Sunday July 21st
If you are interested, we will meet at Morning Café in Bisbee at 8:00a for breakfast. 420 Arizona St. Bisbee AZ 85603.
We will then meet at 10:30a in the parking lot of the Tombstone Mine Tour site - 501 E Toughnut St, Tombstone, AZ 85638. Our mine tour starts at 11:00a and will be approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour. For driving directions use this link to google maps: https://www.google.com/maps/place/501+E+Toughnut+St,+Tombstone,+AZ+85638/@31.71135,-110.06638,16z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x86d73bf28374fc81:0xde769aa87e047a31!8m2!3d31.7113499!4d-110.0663804?hl=en-US
TBD: After the Sunday Good Enough Mine tour, Ken will schedule to have a visit at The Wizard's Workshop on 800 E. Fremont Street in Tombstone if we have enough people interested.
For those individuals signed up for the Toughnut Mine Tour, Ken has scheduled that tour for 1:30p. This tour will take approximately 2-3 hours.
We are looking forward to seeing you in Bisbee and Tombstone.
Ken Elliott
Trip leader
BISBEE: THE QUEEN MINE TOUR
Saturday July 20, 2024
On this tour, you will board a mine train and travel underground into what was once one of the richest copper mines in the history of the United States. Photo by Kevin Johnson.
The first claim located in this mining district was in 1877. After nearly a century of mining, the end to this mining camp came in mid 1975 when the underground workings were closed. It was shortly after the closing of the mining district that the Queen Mine, which was one of many mines in the district, re-opened again as a tour mine. The mining district in this area has approximately 2,200 miles of tunnels with a maximum depth of 4000 ft.
To read more about the Queen Mine and its history, please visit their website at www.queenminetour.com
MEET TIME: 9:00a. The Tour starts at 10:30a and you have to be there at least 30 minutes before the tour to check in.
END TIME: The Tour lasts approximately 1 hour.
LIMITED TRIP: Each train will seat 15 people. There a two trains which enter the mine during each tour.
TRAVEL NOTE: Please allow at least an additional 30 minutes more than normal to get to the meeting spot.
VEHICLE: All vehicles will be able to go to this trip.
SAFETY: Face coverings are at the discretion of each individual. Bring water.
RECOMMENDED: No open toe shoes or high heels. Tennis shoes or hiking boots recommended. Normal day hiking clothing.
MATERIAL: There is no mineral collection allowed on this tour.
TRIP LEADER: Ken Elliott
RSVP REQUIRED by 6PM on Friday, July 5, 2024.
MSA Members and Daisy Mountain Club Members Only.
TOMBSTONE: THE GOOD ENOUGH MINE TOUR
Sunday July 21, 2024
This is a 45 minute fully narrated tour which takes you approximately 100 feet underground into the Good Enough Silver Mine. This mine has a history going back to the 1880's and is part of a 300 mile labyrinth of tunnels dug beneath Tombstone. Photo from the Good Enough tour website.
The tour is an easy to walk through tour and has a well lit path which includes a 60 step stairway with handrails.
To read more about the Good Enough Mine and its history, please visit their website at www.goodenoughsilvermine.com
MEET TIME: We meet at 10:30a at the Good Enough Mine. Our Tour starts at 11:00a. Please be there at least 30 minutes before the tour to check in.
END TIME: The Tour lasts approximately 45 minutes.
LIMITED TRIP: Minimum of 10 participants and maximum of 30.
TRAVEL NOTE: Please allow at least an additional 30 minutes more than normal to get to the meeting spot.
VEHICLE: All vehicles will be able to go to this trip.
SAFETY: Face coverings are at the discretion of each individual. Bring water.
RECOMMENDED: No open toe shoes or high heels. Tennis shoes or hiking boots recommended. Normal day hiking clothing.
MATERIAL: There is no mineral collection allowed on this tour.
TRIP LEADER: Ken Elliott
RSVP REQUIRED by 6PM on Friday, July 5, 2024.
MSA Members and Daisy Mountain Club Members Only.
TOMBSTONE: THE TOUGHNUT MINE TOUR
Sunday July 21, 2024
This is a 2-3 hour tour and a person needs to be in good physical condition. We will be wearing a hardhat and headlamp. There is one section in this mine where we need to rappel down to the 200 ft. level in order to continue on the tour. You will be wearing a safety harness and will be belayed down this section. It is a good challenge and I recommend that those individuals who truly have an interest to please sign up and learn a little bit more about both the mine and themselves. Photo by Kenneth Elliott
MEET TIME: We meet at 1:00p at the Good Enough Mine. Our Tour starts at 1.30p. Please be there at least 30 minutes before the tour to check in.
END TIME: The Tour lasts approximately 2-3 hours.
LIMITED TRIP: If I can get 10 people to sign up, Robert (The mine manager) will give us a discount.
TRAVEL NOTE: Please allow at least an additional 30 minutes more than normal to get to the meeting spot.
VEHICLE: All vehicles will be able to go to this trip.
SAFETY: Face coverings are at the discretion of each individual. Bring water.
RECOMMENDED: No open toe shoes or high heels. Please wear good tennis shoes or hiking boots. Long pants are highly recommended as well as gloves.
MATERIAL: There is no mineral collection allowed on this tour.
TRIP LEADER: Ken Elliott
RSVP REQUIRED by 6PM on Friday, July 5, 2024.
MSA Members and Daisy Mountain Club Members Only.
Hope to see you there!
KEN ELLIOTT
MSA Field Trip Leader
