Trail Overview
51000 Zonia Mine Road begins off Cherry CR Road as a smooth, well-maintained gravel road winding through the mountains toward an active mining operation. The route starts wide and recently graded, making for an easy drive with scenic mountain views along the way. At the entrance, you’ll pass through a gate located on BLM land. Although the gate is open, signage indicates private property beyond this point. Maps may show the road continuing through to the opposite side of the mine. Access is currently blocked by the mining operation, and the route does not fully connect through. A valid Arizona State Trust Land permit is required for this area.
History
The Zonia Mine operation traces back to the late 1800s when copper was first discovered in the mountains near present-day Cherry Creek Road. Mining activity expanded through the early 1900s and eventually created the small mining settlement of Zonia, which operated as a remote copper camp in central Arizona. The area produced copper along with smaller amounts of silver, gold, and lead.
Large-scale open-pit operations took place from the 1960s into the 1970s, when millions of tons of material were mined and processed using heap leaching methods. Over time, the mine changed ownership several times, and portions of the operation were shut down as copper prices fluctuated. Today, the site remains an active mining property with ongoing exploration and redevelopment efforts focused on copper production. Remnants of the old mining camp and historic workings can still be found throughout the surrounding mountains.
