The southwest is full of great off-roading opportunities. From Moab’s popular off-roading trails to the sand dunes of Sand Mountain and everything in between. However, if navigating obstacles or driving on sand isn’t your thing, you could choose to go on a scenic drive along the trails around St. George. If you have a full day to spare, gather your friends and go check out the Grand Canyon from a different angle.
One destination we’d recommend is the Copper Mountain Mine, deep into the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument. This trail leads into the desert and offers a glimpse into the area’s fascinating past.
Trip to Copper Mountain Mine
Copper Mountain Mine is in Mojave County in Arizona. This is an 85-mile trip each way so it’s recommended that you set aside a full day for it. When tackling this trail as part of our trail ride events, we normally make a pit stop at the Mt. Trumbell Schoolhouse which is located about 50 miles from the Utah line.
From there you’d tale BLM 1063 and head southwest before making a right at BLM 1230 into Trail Canyon. You’ll travel through this scenic tertiary side canyon for most of the trip, getting a view of the Grand Canyon that’s rarely seen. This will eventually lead you to Parashant Canyon where you’ll have to continue south until you get to BLM1232. From there you’ll drive a further 3 miles to Copper Mine Mountain.
At the abandoned mine site, you can catch a glimpse of some abandoned buildings that look like previous living quarters, the mine shafts and some abandoned machinery. In its heyday, this mine produced copper as well as zinc, silver, gold, lead and uranium.
The trip to the mine can get a bit rough and only 4×4 vehicles with a short wheelbase and high clearance should attempt the trip. Be prepared for bouncing off bedrocks, scraping your skid plates and sheer drop-offs.
Trip Preparation
Keep in mind that the trip to Copper Mountain Mine will take you deep into the desert so dress appropriately and carry enough water. It’s better to avoid making the trip over summer as temperatures in the desert can get scorching. We also recommend downloading a trail map of the area from our online store so you don’t get lost.
To make sure you get there and back, your rig needs to be in perfect condition for the trip. Remember that you’ll be driving over rough sections for an extended time so your tires, wheels, and brakes need to be in great shape. To ensure they are, bring your rig over to the Dixie 4 Wheel Drive auto shop in St. George.
We love helping out our clients and anyone wishing to explore the fascinating trails in this part of the country. Contact us for more tips or any questions about custom builds and modifications for your ride.
