Discover the historic Grey Horse Mine on this rewarding Jeep trail, best experienced clockwise for the breathtaking descent into Kearny. As the valley unfolds below, panoramic vistas reveal the rugged beauty of Arizona’s mining frontier.

The north leg presents a narrow, overgrown section—expect moderate vegetation and potential pinstriping. Light pruning may be required; come prepared with tools and patience.

Overall, the trail is moderate in difficulty, with well-defined paths and no extreme obstacles. Caution is advised on shelf road segments featuring steep drop-offs—maintain focus and low speeds.

A highlight awaits on the south mine leg: three well-preserved foundation ruins on the north side, directly across from historic mine shafts. This scenic overlook makes an ideal lunch stop with commanding views.

History runs deep here.

Remnants of an old bridge footing emerge from the creek bed, hinting at past infrastructure. Nearby, a stone-lined reservoir once captured mountain runoff, a testament to early water management.

Rock hounds delight.

Geology enthusiasts will appreciate the abundant calcite coating rocks and mine walls in crystalline sheets. According to USGS data (mrdata.usgs.gov), the primary ores were lead and vanadium, with molybdenum as a secondary mineral. The U.S. Vanadium Development Company of Phoenix developed the site around 1916, leaving behind a multi-level adit system following a fault-bound dike.

A 2007 rockhound report noted: “The mine exposes polished slip-face walls resembling sheets of ice, formed by tectonic compression. Vanadinite is abundant across levels, with prevalent descloizite, extensive calcite, and occasional wulfenite.”

Beautiful Views!

While the loop can be run in either direction, clockwise is strongly recommended for the dramatic Kearny descent. The south leg opens into a broad, flowing trail framed by a striking concentration of ocotillo—tall, whip-like stalks creating a natural corridor of desert elegance.

• Stock Vehicles: Can complete most of the trail but expect bigger rocks and moderate obstacles near the mines.
• High-Clearance 4×4 Recommended: Especially for the more rugged sections on the mine legs.
• Weather Awareness: Flash flooding can occur in washes—check forecasts before heading out.
• Camping & Hiking Access: Not a lot of great camping in the area of this trail. Check out Treehouse Cabin 2.5 or Hackberry Creek 3.0 – 4.0 for a trail that has some camping available.
• Respect our lands and the trail system: The trail passes near residences on the south end and BLM land; follow Tread Lightly principles and stay on marked paths.