Ruins Tank

Rating: 
Round Trip Distance: 0.6 miles
Difficulty: Easy
Elevation: 3491 - 3507 feet
Cellphone: 3-5 bars
Time: 30 mins.
Trailhead: I - 17 Exit 252 +1.1
Fee: none
Attractions: pueblo ruins

The Ruins Tank Pueblo is located on Black Mesa in the Agua Fria National Monument northeast of Black Canyon City, Arizona. With 30-50 rooms it was about the same size as the Badger Springs Pueblo.

There is a rest stop on I-17 at Exit 252. The turnoff to the Richinbar Mine is about 1.1 miles north of that exit. A short road leads from the interstate to a locked gate where there is room enough for a car to turn around and park. If you are pulling a trailer you will want to consider dropping it near the rest stop or at Exit 256. (Those that can figure out the secret of the gate can drive to the trailhead and save some hiking. If you can figure out the secret then perhaps you are also wise enough to know not to leave the gate open. There are always cows in the area whether they are around the gate at the moment or not.)

The road continues on the other side of the locked gate for a short distance to an old windmill and a couple of water tanks. Just past that there is a junction where Agua Fria Road 9005 branches off  on the left toward the Badger Springs Pueblo. Continue straight through this intersection.

At the 0.8 mile point from the gate there is another road that branches off on the right that leads to the Richinbar Mine Pueblo (Black Mesa Fort) and Ruins Tank.

Follow the road to the right for about 2 tenths of a mile. Right before it drops down the hill there is a primitive campsite on the left that serves as the trailhead for the Richinbar Mine Pueblo and Ruins Tank.

From the trailhead go back to the road and look for a faint trail that starts out heading west.

The faint intermittent trail probably gets more use from cattle than hikers as it turns southward and leads to the ruins.

It is only about a quarter mile of easy hiking from the trailhead to Ruins Tank. When you arrive you will find a brown mylar marker reminding you to tread lightly and help protect the site for future generations.

The 30-50 rooms of the pueblo were built within one of the many natural water tanks that dot the area.

Most of the ruins are a rubble pile but there are sections of walls that are still intact. Actually, there are probably plenty of walls that are intact but they remain hidden beneath all the dirt that has blown into the ruins over hundreds of years.

The fragments of pottery found are of the same style and colors as that found at all the ruins in the area. Be sure to leave the pottery, plus any other artifacts, where you find them. It is illegal to remove them and it spoils the site for others.

The Ruins Tank Pueblo is a nice short excursion for those that are in the area to see the Richinbar Mine Petroglyphs and ruins as well as the Badger Springs Pueblo. If you would like to see them all for yourself then all you have to do is 'Take a hike'.