Magma Arizona Railroad
The Narrow Gauge Route
From the map I wasn't sure if there would be any NG grade to be found beyond
the intersection with the road. I decided to check the bank on the right
side of the road just beyond the curve. Sure enough there seemed to be another
mound.
A little further down and the grade becomes much more pronounced. I also
found more wire from the telegraph line and it seemed to be a two wire line.
In this shot we are looking across a small washout that probably was a wooden
box.
As seen in this shot, the grade is just to the right of the road. The
SG is to the left of road and not visible in this view. The ocotillo on the
right side of the shot seems to be doing well compared to some of the other
foliage.
The prickly pear are taking over along this stretch.
This is one tough grade to hike with all of the thorny items not too mention
keeping an eye out for things that slither.
Just beyond the next washout I found some rock work along the south side
of the grade. Incidentally I encountered a slithering object down in the
gully but it quickly disappeared into the brush.
As we approach the cattle guard signs of the grade seem to disappear.
A little further down I can make out horizontal stripes on the ground
were the ties once laid.
Beyond the cattle guard the grade is hardly visible and returning back to
the desert.
As we head towards another gully the mound rises up again providing a
prominent grade.
A view from down in the gully looking back over the grade that we have
just traveled. No signs of any timbers for a bridge or wood box.
I haven't decided whether the grade was down in the depression or not
along here as we approach another cattle guard. This is my last shot for
this segment as it gets sketchy beyond the cattle guard. It may be that the
grade and the road are one and the same beyond this point.
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