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Dos Arches are cool by markthurman53 Overview The Twin Arches are located on the southernmost cliffs of Yellow Rhyolite in the Goldfield Mountains. These cliffs extend intermittently from Dome Mountain to Top Hat Mountain and the Arches are located about halfway between. Twin Arches consist of obviously two arches one facing west and the other south. Because they are facing perpendicular to each other they are not typically viewed at the same time. While it might be possible from some angle I have not seen it. This is a fairly easy destination from Rock House Trail or FR 1356. FR 1356 is only accessible by vehicle if you have the Bulldog Canyon Recreational pass that allows you to drive past the locked gates. Without the pass, the trailheads are at either Dome Mountain, E Hackamore, or Cottonwood Trailheads. This adds another 3 to 4 miles to the hike. The route described here is a western route up to the arches and an eastern route down from the arches. Either way, the trail starts and ends on Rock House Trail or FR1356.
There is no trail on the western approach but from the Rock House Trail go up the ridge staying on the top of the ridge. Recommend referring to the GPS route. The wash that drains the cliffs of Twin Arches will be on the right (east). Once you are just below the cliffs head to the east to the arches. While still on the ridge you should be able to see the west-facing arch. Once under the west-facing arch, you continue east then head uphill to the south-facing arch. It is fairly easy to get up behind the south-facing arch not sure if the same could be said for the west-facing arch. While there is no trail it is fairly easy walking at least up the ridge a little more caution is required on the portion heading east under the arches. The route down is along the east side of the wash. This is a much easier route and there are signs of a faint trail complete with rock cairns. This trail ends on the Rock House Trail or FR 1356 just a couple hundred feet from the Blue Ridge Trail. Equally if not more impressive are the views all along this hike. The Four Peaks and Top Hat are to the east and the Superstition Mountains are to the south. I don’t think I would get tired of these views, just when you think you’ve seen it before the weather or conditions change and it is magnificent again. Gate Policy: If a gate is closed upon arrival, leave it closed after you go through. If it is open, leave it open. Leaving a closed gate open may put cattle in danger. Closing an open gate may cut them off from water. Please be respectful, leave gates as found. The exception is signage on the gate directing you otherwise. Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community. One-Way Notice This hike is listed as One-Way. When hiking several trails on a single "hike", log it with a generic name that describes the hike. Then link the trails traveled, check out the example. | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
