Visited Helvetia and Kentucky Camp on a whirlwind day trip Sunday to the south of Tucson. Started by heading down E Santa Rita Rd past Huerfano Butte in the Santa Rita Experimental Range, took a left on Helvetia Rd, and visited the old Helvetia cemetery, the copper mine smelter ruin, and the approach to the
locked gate below Gunsight Pass. Then we proceeded down S Forest Rd 485 to Box Canyon Rd 62, Greaterville Rd, and south on Hwy 83. We turned into Gardner Canyon and visited Kentucky Camp, the overlook to Ophir Gulch, the gated entrance to Cave of the Bells, and picnicked in the sycamores above the junction of 4084 and 92. Great day except had to do a bit more "exploring" than I meant to in Box Canyon and lost my A/C towards the end of the day.
View of Gunsight Pass from junction of S Santa Rita Rd and Helvetia Rd
Sun was right above the old smelter ruin making photos a challenge.
Then down Hwy 83 to Gardner and Fish Canyons for some sightseeing and a bit of decent wheeling--
Needed 4 Low to get up one hill on 4113 but the hairiest spot was probably a rocky, little-used uphill route just before Sawmill Canyon off of 4085. There was a covered and locked, deep, dark and impressive pit; I'd have to check with a local (Escabrosa?) Grotto to determine whether a cave or mine. Pic below looking down from that hill into Sawmill Canyon; Mt Wrightson visible to the distant right.
For the record, although S Forest Rd 485 out of Helvetia is very scenic, the southern end is blocked before joining 62.
