The AGS Spring 2026 field trip is scheduled for Sat, 25 April, 2026 at Intrepid Metals' and Ivanhoe Electric's properties in the Courtland-Gleeson mining district in Cochise County, Arizona; approximately 15 miles east of Tombstone, Arizona.
This 2-day field trip (the first of its kind in more than three decades) will be co-run by Intrepid Metals Corporation and Ivanhoe Electric, Inc. This mining district is characterized by a Jurassic porphyry copper system emplaced into Paleozoic host rocks (and related carbonate replacement mineralization) that have been complexly deformed by Laramide compression and then subsequently variably dismembered and tilted during Middle Tertiary extension.
Overview of a portion of the Courtland-Gleeson District courtesy of
Intrepid Metals
From Richandson, C. A., 2000 - Drill hole data for the
Courtland Gleeson area, Turquoise Mining District and
Southern Dragoon Mountains, Cochice County, Arizona:
Arizona Geol. Survey Open File Report 20-02
The trip leaders will conduct field stops at select outcrops/overviews, will show some core from recent drilling and will provide updates on new geologic insights and concepts as well as exploration ideas and targeting in this high complex geologic environment.
Additional Trip Details - We'll cap the trip at 35 participants for now. The main purpose is to keep the trip moving and limit vehicles to a smaller convoy. We will meet at the Intrepid Core Shed in Elfrida,Arizona (see Map) with no less than three people per vehicle. This is a soft cap, with additional participants placed on a waitlist. But, depending on the final list, we may be able to accommodate a few more.
Trip Costs - $55 including lunches, drinks, snacks and guidebook for the two field day. Accommodations, dinner/breakfast, and travel to/from Tombstone/field area will be covered separately by trip participants.
Participants who have already notified Dave they will be attending should sign up, fill out registration form on the event page, and make payment on-line prior to the event.
Those who have not signed up yet can sign up for the event or added to the wait list.
Accommodations - Several hotels have offered group rates ($110/night) for the field trip participants. State that you with the Arizona Geological Society for a couple adjacent larger-capacity hotels (shown in the photo below).
Note: Please indicate your hotel preferences/request in your e-mail to Dave Maher (see below).
Lookout Lodge - (520) 457-2223; group rates were available to April 15, 2026; ask for Christopher to see if he'll extend those rates a couple more days.
Tombstone Grand Hotel (520) 525-2959; Sun-Thurs, 3-11 pm, ask for Tiffany - available to April 1, 2026.
Tombstone, Arizona showing Hotels (from Google Earth)
To Sign Up or if you have any Questions - Please e-mail Dave Maher with the following info:
1) Name
2) Name(s) of additonal participant(s)
3) Cell phone number
4) Any dietary restrictions
5) Where you are traveling from and;
6) If you are interested in carpooling (from Tucson/Phoenix etc.)
7) Hotel plans/request (if you are getting your own room, if you would like to share with someone)
Required Field Gear - Hard Hat, Steel-Toe Boots, Safety Vest, and Safety Glasses
Liability Wavier - A Liability Wavier Form for all field trip participants can be downloaded at:
Link - https://arizonageologicalsoc.org/resources/Documents/Field%20Trips/FieldTripReleaseForm%20-3-22-2022.pdf
To expedite registration, participants are encouraged to bring a signed copy of this form with them on the morning of the field trip. Additional copies will be available at the check-in for those who forget.
Trip Start - Intrepid Core Shack in Elfreda, Arizona at 7:30AM (11427 North Moore Road, Elfrida AZ)
Intrepid Core Shack Location - Elfrida, Arizona
From Tombstone, take Gleeson Road southeast to HWY 191, just south of Elfrida. Go north (left) on HWY 191 form 4 miles (past Elfrida). Go west (left) on Courtland Road for two miles. Go south (left) on Moore Road for 0.3 miles. Go east (left into drive to core shack).
Contact Info - For questions, please reach out to Dave Maher at (dmaher@broncocreek.com) - (520) 471-3692
