Located due north from Black Rock Canyon, just below the Little Needles Eye is Coyote Arroyo. It doesn't go as far into the mountain as Black Rock Canyon, but there's plenty to explore in a smaller area, to get there you turn north at the cattle guard next to the white water tank at Black Rock Canyon, driving into the draw is rough, but once you're past it the road is not that bad, continue about a quarter mile or so, you'll see an old road leading into the draw, you can drive on the road, but it ends abruptly, keep a lookout for a spot to turn around.
Coyote Arroyo was mined extensively, an intensive amount of work took place here with varying degrees of success. This intense effort resulted in the boring of 5 adits (tunnels) 1 open stope,and a long trench. The adits are located at different levels, the two lowest adits; I'll call the Lower Mines. #1 is on the left side of the arroyo parallel to a large tailings pile, the portal is supported by timbers, just inside the adit to the left a storage space was cut out into the rock and also supported by timbers, this adit continues deep into the slope, but I would not recommend entering it. Lower Mine #2, is located at the top of the tailings pile and is partially back filled, you can peek into it, but again don't try to enter, they backfill for a reason.
To get to the Upper Mines you have to hike over to the old switchback road north of the arroyo, follow the road up to Upper Mine #1. The entrance to this mine is framed by brush and high grass. The portal has no timber supports, large rocks strewn on the floor indicate there is a high risk of a roof collapse. The adit extends far into the slope, however the mine can be viewed without entering the tunnel.
You'll find a trail from Upper Mine #1 that leads to the Upper Mine #2, this portal has no timber supports and looks highly unstable. It's possible to glance into the void, but don't go in!. I'm obligated to tell everyone of the dangers these mines pose, but I have to admit that on occasion I do venture into some of the mines. I do so with extreme caution and if there are safety issues I will report them. Upper Mine #2 reeks of danger, it's another long adit, however the rock structure around the portal is cracked and weaken. Large rocks or piles of debris in the adit are warning signs to stay out.
The trail continues up the slope, where you'll find a large and deep inclined shaft, just beyond that a trench cuts into the slope, a wooden trough supplied water to the lower mines from this level, the trench could have been used to funnel water into the trough. Just beyond the trench you have Upper Mine #3, it has a unique feature that none of the other mines have, a long narrow cut with high walls, leads you to the mine opening, this adit is very long, I estimated it's length at 200+ ft. l saw evidence that hunters had been there with footprints leading into and out of the adit. On my last visit, just as I approached the cut I saw a bobcat coming down the slope, once he saw me he scurried and disappeared into the adit, I didn't follow.
Worth the Trip?: Yes
Roads: Good (from Lewis Flats Rd.) Rough (from Highway 549)
Public or Private: Public
Mine Danger: High (open shafts,unstable adits)
Snake Danger: High
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