Monte Cristo

TRIPS

Norht of Cleator
Norhtwest of Cleator
South of Cleator

Constellation Road
First Stop
Monte Cristo
Third Stop
Gold Bar

Binghampton

Links

ghost towns.com
4x4 Basics

Arizona Pioneer Cemetery Research Project

Other resources

Az. Dept.Of Mines

Ghost Towns of Arizona by James and Barbara Sherman U. of Oklahoma Press

Arizona's best Ghost Towns by Philip Varney Northland Press

Arizona Ghost Towns and Mining Camps by Philip Varney Arizona Highways

Printable Directions click on images to enlarge Mine Statistics Historical Images

Monte Cristo is the 2nd stop along Constellation Road. It has a metal head frame, a wheel house and a big shed below the head frame still standing. There is also several collapsed buildings in the area. Besides the obvious mine shaft at the head frame, there is an adit below the wheel house which is concealed by brush.

The mine was first discovered by a couple of Mexican prospectors, just befor the turn of the century, who worked it for a couple of years before being run off by some claim jumpers saying that "furriners" were not allowed to own or work mining claims. But the Mexicans did such a good job of hiding the entrance that the claim jumpers had nothing to show for their their misdeeds.

The person who eventualy ended up owning the mine, Ezra Thayer of Phoenix, was quoted as saying he considered his money safer in the ground than in a bank. He spent a good deal of money blocking off the ore desposits instead of mining them.

He finally sold the mine in 1926. It has been worked off and on since then and there is believed to still be good deposits of gold and silver bearing ore still down there.

Take 1-17 north to Carefree Highway (ST. Route 74). Take a left and follow the road till it ends. Take a right onto Grand Ave (ST.route 93). Turn right on El Recreo rd. which will turn into Constellation rd. Set your trip meter to 0.00 as soon as your turn

2.2 miles	Dirt road begins.
3.1 miles	Stay right on Constellation rd.
7.4 miles	Stay left
8.7 miles	Stay straight.Right is Owl Springs Ranch rd.
9.1 Miles	King Solomon Wash N 34* 02' 48.2" W 112* 36' 36.8"
9.3 Miles	Turn left out of the wash at yellow and white sign, BLM road #2897
10.2 Miles	You have reached the saddle
10.5 Miles	Right turn. Several mines along the road.
10.6 Miles	Turn left. Several building foundations and mines. Former site of the Copper Bell mining camp? *N 34 03" 07" W 112* 35' 53"**
0.00 Miles	Reset trip meter when you get back on the main road.
0.06 Miles	Saddle. tailings off to left and front.
1.40 Miles	Turn right. Monte Cristo Mine.

Once here you will not have to walk very far to see everything. There are several collapsed buildings besides the two buildings and head frame still standing. there is also a water tower above and to the south of the head frame. It looks pretty battered. One warning, the wheel house has a good size bees nest in it. There is even a sign in the building warning of the bees. Be careful, but I did see 2 men walk through it without the bees bothering them. Do not bother them they will not bother you.

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