b"ALTHOUGH IT'S IMPOSSIBLE TO KNOW THEIR REASONS FOR ZOOMING PAST OR THEIR ULTIMATE DESTINATIONS, ONE THING'S FOR CERTAIN THOUGH MOST MOTORISTS ARE NOT GOING TO BAGDAD. AND, THAT'S A SHAMEESPECIALLY FOR VEHICLES WITH HIKERS ON BOARD. THAT'S BECAUSE THOSE WHO Work program. The riparian area is composed mainly VEER OFF THE BYWAY AND HEAD INTO TOWN WILL of cottonwood and willow trees and the surrounding BE TREATED TO A PLEASANT WHO KNEW MOMENT. desert landscape consists of native grasses, cacti, acacia, and mesquite trees. The area is managed for habitat L ocated 100 miles northwest of Phoenix,the company introduced the worldsenhancement, community outreach, and education for local students and interested parties. Hours are 5 a.m. the company town that orbits around thefirst commercial-scale concentrateto 10 p.m. 928-633-6034.Freeport-McMoRan copper and molybdenumleach facility at the Bagdad copper mine features a massive open-pit operation that humsmining complex.The Bridle Creek Trail is an unexpected 24/7 and Main Street is a mix of mom and pop shops,trek surrounded by an expanse of barren watering holes, a single grocery store, gas station, andFreeport-McMoRan Inc. nowmesas and raw, mineral-rich backcountry a golf course. Bagdad is an off-the-beaten-path sort ofowns the Bagdad copper mine; onetucked between the Aquarius and Weaver a place but thats part of its appeal. It is proud to haveof the largest copper resources inMountains. Except for three easy creek a prominent place in Arizonas history as a thrivingthe world. Freeport-McMoRan is acrossings that involve some minor rock copper resource over the past 130-plus years. leading international natural resourceshopping, the park-like, linear trail is ancompany and its Bagdad operations accounteasy stroll among cottonwood, willow, and Bagdads origins can be traced back to 1880 whenfor roughly 20 percent of its North American copperjuniper trees. a man named John Lawler discovered copper nearproduction. Bagdad also holds the distinction of being the towns site. Bagdad took root slowly, however,one of only two company towns left in Arizona, whereThe Joshua Forest Scenic Road was designated primarily because the location was remote and thethe mine owns many of the local businesses and houseson April 20, 1992, by the Arizona Department of copper was low grade. It was not until the 1920s thatin the area. Transportation. Along the route is the backdrop of mining operations got traction, and it was not until therugged mountain ranges, the Hualapai Mountains, 1940s that mining became very profitable, primarilyVisitors are invited to come to see the Bagdad mineand Aquarius Cliffs. The road winds through granite as a result of a government loan, new equipment, andoverlook. Bring your cameras and enjoy this unique viewformations and by many creeks and rivers. The main innovative open-pit mining. A $240 million expansionof the mine. Guides will escort you up to the overlooksources of water in the area are the Big Sandy River, in 1973 included new haul trucks, shovels, nearly 400but tours are limited to specific days each month. ThereBurro Creek, and the Santa Maria River. The road then housing units, and concentrator. In 1999, Phelps Dodgeare no age restrictions or special clothing requirements.goes through a large boulder field and enters the Joshua acquired the Bagdad mining operation, and in 2002,To visit the overlook, please contact the Bagdad TownsiteForest Parkway, which is lined with Joshua trees. From office at 928-633-6001.late February through April, the Joshua trees along US 93 sprout gigantic, lime-white blooms with surreal WHAT TO SEE spikes and a not-so-sweet aroma. The annual event is Bagdad Museum is temporarily closed untilreason enough to take a drive along this scenic route further notice. The Bagdad Museum is a great placethrough a landscape of sprawling flatlands tossed with to learn more about the history of Bagdad, mining,rugged canyons and mountains. and the community. The museum showcases everything from old photographs to miningEast Arrastra Mountain Wildernessequipment to artifacts from town life. 700 PaloAs you cross Hwy 93 and begin your descent to the Verde Road.Santa Maria River, there is a relatively hidden double track on the west side of the highway. You can park Bridle Creek Habitat Enhancement Areanear the highway and hike towards Ives Peak and Black is a 27-acre fenced riparian habitat located behindCanyon Wash. Wilderness signs can be seen on the the Community Center at the base of Sanderssouth side of the road as you continue towards the Santa Mesa. A dirt trail follows the intermittently flowingMaria River. There is frequent Saguaro/Joshua tree stream and provides an easy nature walk that isside-by-sides as you approach Black Canyon Wash. The readily accessible. The area was first certified by theJoshua trees seem to disappear as you reach the Santa Wildlife Habitat Council (WHC) in 1995 and isMaria River. Hiking distance is 6.5 miles return from currently certified through the WHCs Wildlife atHwy 93 to Santa Maria River.24 September 2020"