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Proposed Route: Drive to Tortilla Ranch (4WD wanted!) and start on the JF Trail (106). Then split off onto the Hoolie Bacon Trail (111). Connect with the Red Tanks Trail (107). Head south towards Dripping Spring and probably camp there. Next we will head east to the JF Trail. I would like to hike up Randolph Canyon instead of following the Coffee Flat Trail. We will climb to Tortilla Pass, then stay on the JF Trail and follow it downhill all the way to Tortilla Ranch. Estimated roundtrip mileage is a very manageable 20.5 miles or 33 kilometers .
Optional side trips include: Horse Camp Corral, and the Lost Dutchman Jr. Mine.

What is the Lost Dutchman Jr Mine?

Dude, I thought you hated 'ol Red Tanks?
I have to finish the JF trail from Tortilla Pass to Tortilla Trailhead. I wanted to do Randolf Canyon last time. So I guess you can count me in. ;-)
I have 4x4

djui5 wrote:What is the Lost Dutchman Jr Mine?

The resident Dutchman authority doesn't know about the Dutchman Jr. Mine? Wow.

Just messing with ya!


It was found by Estee Conaster. It is off of the JF Trail, 0.3 miles northwest of Hill 3931 according to the Hiker's Guide to the Supes. Estee Conaster thought the mine resembled descriptions of the "real" Dutchman mine, so she named it the Lost Dutchman Jr. Mine.

te-wa wrote:Dude, I thought you hated 'ol Red Tanks?

I do. But it's the only way to do this loop. Believe me, I looked hard for an alternate off-trail route, but I think the trail will be a better way to go.

upon re-reading your route, I realize the description will be downhill. Sure you dont want to take Red Tanks uphill?

I'll drive on this one. The Monty eats up the Tortilla rd. No worries there.

te-wa wrote:upon re-reading your route, I realize the description will be downhill. Sure you dont want to take Red Tanks uphill?

I designed this trip to be as easy as possible. Elevation gain/loss was carefully considered (for like 5 seconds). The climb to Tortilla Pass will be the hardest part, and it's not that bad.

Hoffmaster wrote:

djui5 wrote:What is the Lost Dutchman Jr Mine?

The resident Dutchman authority doesn't know about the Dutchman Jr. Mine? Wow.

Just messing with ya!


It was found by Estee Conaster. It is off of the JF Trail, 0.3 miles northwest of Hill 3931 according to the Hiker's Guide to the Supes. Estee Conaster thought the mine resembled descriptions of the "real" Dutchman mine, so she named it the Lost Dutchman Jr. Mine.

I'll look it up, thanks! Might pay the site a visit this year to have a looksee for myself

djui5 wrote: I'll look it up, thanks! Might pay the site a visit this year to have a looksee for myself

Sure. It's worth a look; if nothing else, it's an interesting area to explore. The mine is in a south-facing cliff if memory serves me correct. You can read about it in Estee Conaster's book, The Sterling Legend.

I need to hike this area. decisions..decisions

Hi! This is Liz, Hoffmaster's fiance.



actually, this is Hoffmaster. Just signing my girlfriend (fiance) in. Kinda creepy....I know.

Lost Dutchman Mine Jr. faces north north west. Even in her book. E. C. had one of the directions reversed.
And of course that's not an error, :-({|= just a transposition...

For those of you planning to drive in to the old Tortilla Ranch. Bring along a truck load of gravel or asphalt to fill in the holes, so we can all once again drive this road.

SuperstitionGuy wrote:Lost Dutchman Mine Jr. faces north north west.

I just got around to looking at a map. You are correct. In fact, I think that I was thinking of a more obvious alcove which is located where the cliff is south-facing. It's been a few years since I've been there. I'll try to make a point to check it out again on this trip.

SuperstitionGuy wrote: Bring along a truck load of gravel or asphalt to fill in the holes, so we can all once again drive this road.

Well, I certainly don't have money to buy a few tons of asphalt, but even if I could, it would take a lot to fill in the serious stair-steps at the beginning of this road. Personally, I like it the way it is. It keeps a lot of people out. If you are willing to put in the required effort to get there, then you probably aren't some goofball that is going to trash the area, and you deserve to be there.

I agree with hoffmaster, besides which, there's nothing to fill in, someone will need to build some type of ramp to get up the second wall with about a whole cement's truck worth of concrete if you want to allow the sheeple in.

This is an awesome route. I need to go. :bigth:

i have a little jeep that might be able to make it back there, i have never seen the road though. is there water along the way?

No water to contend with it's just a clearance issue. There are a few areas of rock that are almost like high steps but uneven. The rest of the road (3miles) is easy. A stock wrangler should make it.

i guess those who dont have a 4x4 are missing out on a bunch of hikes. to me, it doesnt make sense to be passionate about the outdoors and want to see all of the state but plan on doing so in a passenger vehicle- but i dont want anyone to take my opinion personally, its more of a lack of understanding on my part im sure. driving a 4x4 is also 90% skill, 10% machinery. i dont agree that the road keeps out riff-raff and ive seen plenty of 4 wheelers who trash areas. what you drive has nothing to do with your ethics. you can compare the ll bean starbucks crv types to the '79 bronco wrangler gun rack types and there is no way to determine which one will throw down some litter, until it has been done. (but then, a wrestling match is a whole different ballgame!
the road out to the ranch site is rarely used to be sure. i am glad it gets little use. i actually wish it were in worse shape then it would be more of a challenge for my stock Montero Sport (ok, not entirely stock, i cranked the torsion bars for a 1" lift and added Bilstein shock absorbers with 32" tires)

glad this has turned out to be a great group again. i'll be bringing my friend Jack along, as usual.

te-wa wrote:to me, it doesnt make sense to be passionate about the outdoors and want to see all of the state but plan on doing so in a passenger vehicle- but i dont want anyone to take my opinion personally, its more of a lack of understanding on my part im sure.

Dude, I'm poor. I would love to have a 4X4, but unfortunately, all I can afford is my humble little nissan sentra with 200,000 miles and a check engine light that I can't seem to take care of, in spite of pouring money and time in to the guy.

Oh well, at least the HAZ sticker on the bumper makes it cool :bigth:

The HAZ sticker has been chemically developed to add a hint of 4x4 gusto to any vehicle to which it's applied. Overlapping multiple HAZ stickers is only recommended on vehicles equiped with a five point harness. Legend has it one guy applied three to a Ford Focus jetting it within yards of the Amethyst Mine...