Hunter Mountain Odds and Ends No. 1

Hunter Mountain is a prominent plateau-like mountain in the Cottonwood Mountains that is a pleasant retreat away from the desert below. Much of it is piñon pine forest and holds a fair snowpack much of the winter. In November of 2013 there was several feet of snow on Lee Flat and Hidden Valley,  and drifts were as deep as five feet in some places. The amount of snow on the top of Hunter Mountain is not known but likely greater than either of the aforementioned places. Hunter Mountain is a large granite block that was uplifted long ago and is one of my favorite places in the park, for the springs are abundant and well flowing. The area of Hunter Mountain is steeped in history, as its been used for cattle grazing since the 1870s, when Hunter Cabin was built. This post lists some of the odds and ends of Hunter Mountain exploration.

Cattle on Saline Valley Road, before South Pass. The grazing land is slated to be closed in the park's newest Five Year Plan.

Petroglyph Site near the road

The largest panel. Some interesting designs here.

Metate

Hunter's Cabin

Built in the 1870s by William Beveridge Hunter, who lived in Cerro Gordo for a time, this small cabin is constructed of hand-hewn pinyon logs that are chinked with vintage denim and rags. It is thought to have been built by him for summer living when he was grazing cattle in the area, among the first to do so on grazing rights that last to the present. In 2011 some restoration work was done on the cabin that ensured its longevity. Some logs were replaced, the roof was repaired, and a door was added.

Pile of things on the doorstep

Interior

Some views of the small valley above the cabin

Wildrose near the cabin

Spanish Spring Mill

Very little is known about this site, but it is very unusual. It is a series of three Arrastras, or grinding pits, which are used only to process gold. It is unusual to find more than one arrastra in a series, and to add to that the pits are filled with copper ore. A small primitive furnace is also found on the site.

The furnace

More on Hunter Mountain will be featured in another post. There is much that is yet to be seen still, it is a really fun area to explore.