Journey into Arizona's Rugged History

New Ghost Towns & Gold Mines Tour from Sedona

Sedona, Arizona -- Have you ever felt like you were born 100 years too late? Many people dream about stepping back in time to see what it was really like, but the opportunity rarely presents itself. Arizona still offers bits of its fascinating past, hidden deep in the Bradshaw Mountains, but you have to know where to look. Glimpses of that history are possible with a new Ghost Towns & Gold Mines tour, offered by Arizona Safari Jeep Tours.

Arizona Safari Jeep Tours invites guests to experience a one-of-a-kind excursion to some of Arizona's legendary ghost towns and gold mines. The Ghost Towns & Gold Mines Tour is a backcountry adventure that is both old and new. It is new in that never before has a guided tour like this been offered from Sedona. It is old in that guests get to visit part of Arizona's past.

The tour begins in scenic Sedona, then ventures into the ruggedly beautiful Bradshaw Mountains. The Bradshaw Mountains were once one of the richest mining areas in Arizona, producing over four million ounces of gold in the late 1800's. The gold mining all but played out by 1890, but was replaced by copper mining, for which our state is still known. Many of the boomtowns were abandoned after the gold played out, but a few flourished as copper towns or tourist attractions.

Guests get to hear the tales and lore of yester-year and visit the old Arizona that most people only read about. "We ride through deep canyons and over high peaks on trails forged by Indians, outlaws and pioneers. We walk on the ground where Apaches clashed with cavalry, prospectors risked everything to strike it rich, and the brave scratched out a living. We travel up old railroad beds where steam engines traversed seemingly impassable terrain, feats of engineering and sheer will power. We eat lunch at the same table where Pancho Villa played poker. And, of course, the views are incredible."

Think this sounds like a nice jaunt in the country? Think again. This is a rugged excursion into old Arizona. This is a tour for the real adventurer, who is not looking for a refined amusement park experience, but rather an authentic, salt-of-the-earth feel for what Arizona is all about. "The roads are rough, the few bathrooms there are along the way are dirty, and the critters and people who live up here don't have the social graces of city folk, but the burgers are GREAT!"

The roads may be rough, but Safari built a vehicle just for this tour: a custom-modified Ford Excursion outfitted for seriously off-the-beaten-path adventures. Climate controlled and heavy duty, this huge green 4x4 is much more comfortable for extended trips than a Jeep. It is even equipped with a refrigerator and a satellite phone. We like rugged backcountry, but we want our guests to feel comfortable,

Guests get to visit different mines and towns, all but forgotten by time, but where history still lives. Sometimes we meet people that have been living in these hills for years, just like people did a hundred years ago. To hear them tell their experiences is like stepping back in time. Most of our guests talk about that all the way home and probably will for the rest of their lives. It is really fun to be able to provide that experience for them.

We'll promise that this tour is the most authentic Arizona backcountry experience available--a remote excursion for the true explorer! The tour travels through country that varies by three thousand feet in elevation, so come prepared for a 30-degree temperature variation. Hiking boots and long pants are recommended, if not required. Water and lunch is included, with half day and full day trips available, and advance reservations required.

For more information about the Ghost Towns & Gold Mines tour, visit www.SafariJeepTours.com or call (928) 282-3012.

All photos available in high resolution (email request to info@safarijeeptours.com)

Picture #1 - An 1890's convenience store
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Picture #2 - Arizona Safari's Ford Excursion, outfitted for tough duty.

Picture #3 - Examining ore car rails leading into a mineshaft.