Sunshine Mine

Trail Overview

This is a fun dirt trail out to the Sunshine Mine. The mine is located at the middle point of this trail. An open spot for dispersed camping is just around the corner from the mine. There is some old mine cart equipment and lots of tailing piles. There is also a sign stating toxic materials. The route has lots of narrow sections. There are a few areas where desert bushes want to reach out and try to scratch the paint as you drive by. There are a few sandy washes and flexy washout sections to cross. Keep your eyes peeled for a stunning dispersed campsite tucked into the Outlaw Mountains as the trail crests over the hills. There are many giant, beautiful saguaros, and the trails are green and lush in the springtime. This trail is mostly State Land Trust. The mine is located on a small square of BLM land. There are two gates to open and close. The first is right off Highway 60 and the other is a little north of the mine. Signage states to please keep them closed. There are a few bars of AT&T cell service closer to Highway 60. There is less service further along the trail. This trail connects to a network of other trails to explore. This area gets extremely hot in the summer months. Be prepared for desert travel by bringing extra water and supplies if traveling during the summer months.

Photos of Sunshine Mine

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Difficulty

There are lots of desert washouts to navigate across. Some are small and generally slow the pace, while others are large and can be off-camber. Care should be used with a stock 4x4, as poor line choice could cause bumper damage. There are some steeper loose hills around the Outlaw Hill area and some rocks to navigate.

History

This route is on Arizona State Trust Land. This land requires a yearly permit that can be purchased and printed online. The permits allow certain recreational activities, including camping, bicycling, bird watching, GPS-based recreational activities (geocaching), hiking, horseback riding, off-highway vehicle (OHV) usage, photography, picnicking, and sightseeing. There are a few permit options depending on your use type: An Individual Permit is $15 and grants a single person access to State Trust Land for the above-listed purposes. The permit is good for one year from the date of purchase. A Family Permit costs $20 and grants a family unit (two adults and their children under 18) access to State Trust Land for the above-listed activities. The permit is good for one year from the date of purchase. A Small-Group Permit costs $15 and grants up to 19 people access to State Trust Land locations for five consecutive days for certain types of non-commercial recreational activities, including the above-listed activities. The permit is good for one year from the date of purchase. A Large-group Permit is for a group larger than 20 people. You must apply for this size separately online and be approved for group activities of this size. Responsibilities: Permittee(s) shall respect the land and adhere to the terms and conditions of the permit at all times. Permittee(s) shall comply with all federal, state, county, and municipal laws and ordinances while on State Trust Land. The Permittee(s) shall have the permit with them at all times while recreating on State Trust Land and have it readily available if stopped by law enforcement or any State Land Department staff. The Permittee(s) shall not remove natural products from or visit archaeological sites on State Trust Land. The Permittee(s) shall not create or leave any trash on State Trust Land, except for geocaches placed according to ASLD. The Permittee(s) shall not discharge a firearm on State Trust Land except pursuant to lawful and licensed hunting. An ASLD Recreational Permit is not required for individuals with a valid hunting and fishing license who are actively pursuing game or fish. The Permittee(s) shall only participate in OHV usage on State Trust Land with an ASLD Recreational Permit and an OHV decal or license plate. The Arizona Department of Transportation Motor Vehicle Division (MVD) is the issuing agency for the OHV decal, certificates of title, registrations, and license plates.

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