Trail Overview
Trail 51012 is a narrow shelf road running perpendicular to the historic Silver Crown Mine through rugged mountain terrain. The trail is mostly dirt and gravel with steep grades in multiple directions, tight sections, and heavy overgrowth that will leave plenty of pinstripes. Pine trees and prickly pear cactus line the route while opening to stunning valley views along the mountainsides. A valid Arizona State Trust Land permit is required for access. From the mine intersection, going left, the trail is currently the only section that can safely be traveled to the end. The right side contains a major washout at the base of the mountain and is no longer considered safely passable. A small bypass is available. Portions of the route are narrow with shelf road exposure and require caution. 4WD High clearance is recommended. The far-right section of the trail eventually dead-ends at private property if you make it across the washout section.
History
The Silver Crown Mine is one of many historic hard-rock mining sites tied to Arizona’s late-1800s silver boom. There are actually a few mines in Arizona with the “Silver Crown” name, but the best-documented one is in the Weaver/Walnut Grove mining district of Yavapai County near the Bradshaw Mountains. The mine was reportedly discovered around 1880–1885 during the height of Arizona’s silver rush. It produced primarily silver and lead, with smaller amounts of gold, copper, and zinc. Early operations were underground vein mining, common throughout central Arizona at the time.
