This destination offers up a full plate of small and large wonders.
Photographer's focused on the mining equipment, old cars and buildings, and a seemingly never ending supply of details can easily miss that the site advertises having the second largest saguaro forest in the state. These cactus look healthy and are surrounded by hills and other cactus. There are several easy trails 'out of town' one can walk to get away from the rust and into the green.
For me, it was the details that made the place so special, much more so than the big heavy and rusting mining equipment. It is the details that give me an idea of how people interacted in this space. For visitors staying at the ranch, the store, theatre, print and barber shops must have given them a taste of life in a different time.
After posting nearly 100 messages, there are two images that made my jaw drop. See below.
If, after all of these images, you decide to head out there and shoot for yourself, there are a couple of things you might want to know. First, it is a bit hard to find unless you know about the sign along the road (see first image). There is a cash fee of $10 for parties of 10 or more and $15 for smaller parties. There is no food or 'machines' on the property. We found a good place to eat in Aguila (cash only). Normally, our group would head home after lunch but on this trip some decided to go back and shoot some more.
Thanks for sharing.