Lost Goldmine - Cloudview Rd to Jacobs #58, AZ

This section of the Lost Goldmine Trail is the Black Sheep of trails in this area. It has received little use since the efforts to build it several years ago. The accomplished goal was to connect the Peralta trail system and Hieroglyphic Trail #101 to the Lost Dutchman State Park trail system. This was tricky as it involved private land, State Land, and the Tonto National Forest. Lack of signage and a formal trailhead has hurt its success. Change is in the air as the Tonto National Forest has formally recognized, numbered, and signed the trail on the federal land.


Listed as one way and documented east to west the hike can be accomplished in a variety of ways. It makes a great key exchange, shuttle, out and back, or as a connecting trail for a backpack. The trailhead is located on Cloudview one-half mile west of Whitetail (Hieroglyphic Trail is on Cloudview one-half mile east of Whitetail). The pavement stops at Edgemore. Continue on dirt for about 200 yards to a wide spot on the road. There is parking for 2-3 cars. The signposts are there but the sign is missing. Look closer and take note of a large etched stone monument at the beginning of the trail (see picture #1) The trail starts to the north across private property. Shortly after the first wash, an old jeep road appears. Bear right and use your route finding skills as you head in a due north direction.If you lose the trail just head north. Some homes will be on the right and as long as you stay west of them you are good. Cairns are scarce but huge. Several years ago a scout project was to make this trail more horse-friendly and they removed many stones from the trail making huge cairns along the way. At one-third of a mile, the houses end, and the trail is better defined as you approach a gate that enters State land. The trail continues north and stays within sight of the boundary fence which is on the right for the distance north. The trail crosses an old burn area that has not totally recovered. The view ahead is a profile of the Ridgeline Hike from 5057 to the Flatiron. At about one mile large old-growth appears and new overgrowth is eating away at the trail. It meanders but keeps the north direction and stays in sight of the fence. At 1.43 miles the trail takes an abrupt left and so does the fence. Keep the fence on your right as the trail heads west.

At 1.57 miles you arrive at an old jeep road and a large deep wash. This is the Hog Canyon trailhead. Take the jeep road left toward the south for 50 feet. Watch for two large cairns on the right as the trail dives into the wash at this point, crosses, and out the west side of the wash. The growth in this area is mature and impressive. The center part of the hike was my favorite. The trail is easier to follow from here out. It is very rocky and although mountain bikes are allowed, I would not recommend them. At 2.76 miles another gate appears and you enter the Tonto National Forest. Halfway up the mountain in front of you is a cave. This is the Broadway Cave which has a mine in it. You can now see the Valley of the Sun and pick out some prominent features on the horizon. The Lost Goldmine Trail ends at Jacobs Crosscut # 58. Take a left for one-half mile to the Broadway trailhead or make a right for continued adventures such as Monument Canyon, Broadway Cave, or the Lost Dutchman State Park.

2008-10-15 AZLOT69