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Palo Verde Mine
Yucca,
Arizona
(Mohave County)
Last Updated:
07/24/2022
Trail Information
Highlights
The Palo Verde Mine backcountry road originated in the early 1900s around the same time the National Old Trails Road connected the east and west coast, also known as the Ocean to Ocean Highway. Palo Verde Mine trail is about an hour north of Lake Havasu and also runs within five Meteorite strewn fields; Buck Mountain, Franconia, Palo Verde, Buck Mountain Wash, and Dutch Flat. As the dirt road gently climbs to the Buck Mountains, the vegetation density increases along with the seasonally blooming Cactus, Ocotillos, and wildflowers. Once in the Buck Mountains, there are several great spots to park and take in the view over the valley toward the Colorado River. The Buck Mountains are a great area to escape the city lights and see the uninterrupted clear night sky. Bring a metal detector or just your eyes and a rare earth magnet to hunt for meteorites!
Trail Difficulty and Assessment
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Trail Reviews
Open
Rated
3/5
Visited: 03/31/2022
Difficulty Accuracy:
Spot On
Most of this trail is a 1-1 road ... the 2-2 rating kicks in once the washouts start showing up. The washouts weren't bad enough to cause too much concern ... checked and none of them were undercut. The mine shaft took me aback ... only three sides are fenced. The third side is a good slope with loose rock. Step over the top ridge and you might find out how deep the mine shaft is. This mine site would make a good spot for lunch.
Open
Rated
3/5
Visited: 01/06/2022
Today was a nice and quiet, 70-degree day. With the rains this year, the water runoff has taken a little more of the road at Waypoint 9, plus the tree widened, forcing those who would instead not acquire some more desert pinstripe closer to the washout. I went straight at the trail's end past Ideal Mine and north back to National Old Trails Road. The rains reset the washes into a nice strip of smooth sand, and I was the second set of tracks in the wash since the rains.
Open
Rated
3/5
Visited: 03/06/2021
Something has always drawn me to the northern side of the Mohave Mountains, particularly the Buck Mountain Range, where the mining prospect remnants of Palo Verde and Ideal Mine are slowly being given back to nature. Even with the number of times I've driven these old dirt roads, I always enjoy the drive and find something new. The washout between these two mines is gradually becoming easier and easier to cross. If the banks continue to be worn down by OHV traffic at the same rate, this trail will need to be updated to connect with Ideal Mine. The Grand Cherokee and 4Runner have no issues, so long as I remember to pull the hitch from the Jeep. The ball gets hung up pretty good, leaving the wash headed north from Ideal Mine to Palo Verde Mine.
Open
Rated
3/5
Visited: 01/31/2020
It's funny that for a three-star trail, this is usually the first place I explore when I return for the winter. Something about this area has always drawn me in. The view from the old processing ramp is an excellent spot to sit with a cup of coffee and watch the morning light fill the valley below. The side by sides have continued forging through the washout at the end of the road, making it easily passable in my Jeep. I did drag the rear bumper climbing out as it is quite steep, but plenty of traction, and no pucker.
Open
Rated
3/5
Visited: 03/23/2019
I was lucky to run just a small portion of this trail with the trail guide writer, Cory. What a great treat to go out with the writer of the guides and explore the area. I only ran a small portion of this trail to make for a full day route in the area. I would highly recommend the area, but this trail is not the main attraction.
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