Richmond Basin - Level 6
Richmond Basin sits in the hills north of Globe, in an old silver mining district. The route winds through the Copper Hills country and climbs toward the basin, where the remains of an early mining camp are scattered across the slopes.
The area is well suited to drivers who like old mine roads and ruins. Much of the land near Globe is private mining ground, so stay on the open route and watch for property and Forest Service boundaries.
Trail Summary
- LocationGila County, Arizona
- Distance20.7 miles
- DifficultyLevel 6
- Elevation2,954 ft to 5,310 ft with a 2,356 ft change
- Travel Time4 hours
Difficulty
Typically challenges the limits of a lightly modified 4x4
This route is rated Level 6, Difficult. That level typically challenges the limits of a lightly modified 4x4. Lockers and winches are recommended, the chance of getting stuck is high, and vehicle damage is possible. Expect very rocky, rutted and off-camber track with erosion, loose rock, sand, washes and short, steep grades. Ledges, drops and other obstacles can reach about 3 feet, so careful tire placement matters. Deep water crossings with strong current are possible after rain. The driver's log does not call out any single obstacle on this route, so treat the rating as the guide to the whole route and scout anything that looks uncertain.
Terrain
The route follows old mining roads and wagon grades through hilly desert country northeast of Globe. Surfaces vary between rocky two-track, eroded ruts and dry washes with loose rock and sand. The final climb into the basin is the part most often described by outfitters as needing real 4WD experience. Old grades can fade out or end abruptly, so check your navigation at junctions.
History
Richmond Basin was one of the first silver camps of the Globe Mining District. Prospectors staked claims in the area in the early 1870s, after the region was removed from the San Carlos Apache Reservation and opened to mining. A wagon road linked Globe to the Stonewall Jackson Mine and the camp of McMillenville by way of the Copper Hills and Richmond Basin. It carried supplies in and silver ore out to the reduction works on Pinal Creek. McMillenville was largely abandoned by the early 1880s. Later, around World War I, a 50-ton cyanide mill was built at Richmond Basin, but the local mines produced little at that time.
Highlights
Visitors look for old cabin remnants, foundations, mine shafts and scattered artifacts left from the mining years. Local legend says silver nuggets once lay on the ground here. Keep out of shafts and tunnels, which can be unstable, and leave any artifacts where you find them. The Copper Hills section also has old two-track grades that seem to stop at odd points, a reminder of the underground workings beneath the area.
Trail GPS File
Map
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