Route Editor
Route Scout
Easy trail to see mine shafts by davidmurphy An MSC Steward writes: This site is not located on the approved trail system within the McDowell Sonoran Preserve. It was comprised of two shafts and one adit. The workings were a fraud to sell stock in the era surrounding WWI. Two of the three diggings have been sealed or filled against public access. The remaining one, while fenced, is dangerous at over 100 feet deep. Really, there is not much to be seen here, anyway. Be safe. Stay on mapped trails. This is an easy and short hike to a few pit mines near the McDowell Mountains. The trailhead is a small unpaved parking lot on the corner of E. Bell Road and 106th St(just east of N. Thompson Peak Pkwy. It is fenced off and there are signs that mark it as the boundary of the McDowell Sonaran Land Preserve. Signs also state that no motorized vehicles are allowed, but that hiking and biking are welcomed. I started out on my bike heading north on this rocky, but mostly level trail, which is wide enough for a car. The trail gradually curves around to the east after about a half mile and then curves again to the south toward the McDowell Mountain Ranch development. After another half mile (total of one mile), there is a fork in the trail where there remains the dismantled rock foundation of what appears to have been a building at one time. I took the fork that headed east and began riding toward Thompson Peak. The trail started to gain some elevation here, so I chained my bike to a post and started hiking. The wildflowers were abundant on this April afternoon and, with only about two or three other hikers on this trail, the setting was peaceful and serene. At about the 1.5 mile point, there are other forks on this trail that lead to different pit mines. I found three in all, not far from one another at about the 1.8 to 2-mile point. These old mine shafts are surrounded by barbed wire fencing, but you can get a really good luck nonetheless. Near one was some remants of old rusted pieces of iron, which have pickaxe punctures in them. Check out the Triplogs. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.
Most recent Triplog Reviews
Paradise Gold Mine
Didn't really go to the pit mines - went from house to Paradise trail - just up the track to the pit mines and over away from them at sunset alone.
Just needed a little peace and quiet. Had a babysitter but I hiked alone. Brad and I went to Isabella's Kitchen for dinner later.
Just needed a little peace and quiet. Had a babysitter but I hiked alone. Brad and I went to Isabella's Kitchen for dinner later.
2015-12-06 Crzy4AZ
Paradise Gold Mine
My hiking partner was sick so I scrapped the original plans for the day but figured I still would need to get some exercise, so I headed to the TH. Man, it was biker city today, maybe 60 bikers in total but only 30 hikers. They have us outnumbered! 
Surprisingly they were all pleasant and I didn't have a bad encounter with any.
I really didn't know what I was going to do when I started. I just played it by ear and didn't really decide which way to go until I'd get to the intersections, favoring trails I hadn't done before. I had a few routes on my GPS map from my previous Toms Thumb figure 8, the Windgate-Bell Loop, Thomson Peak, and a partial Quartz track. As I went on I figured I might as well try to piece them together, even though I was missing some important bits in between. Luckily I made the correct turns (did ask one biker at a rather obscure intersection) and it turned out to be a wonderful day. What great weather we had this weekend!
It was a little difficult to find the Quartz trail off of Thompson Peak rd, but once I got on the trail I only lost it once. Only needed pants and an extra layer the first 1.5 hours. No bodily injury sustained whatsoever, what a change from the usual
Spotted a ton of mulies in a secluded spot along Quartz.
Most interesting parts were probably the Quartz obelisk and the copper mines. I'd recommend this loop wholeheartedly to anyone willing to do the miles and AEG! You could shave off a few by avoiding all my side trips.
Hmmm, not all the hikes are on HAZ, here was my route: Desert View-Gateway Access-Bell-Prospector-Thompson Peak-Quartz-Nature Wash-Paradise-Levee-104th St-Equestrian-Desert View...I think that's all of them
Surprisingly they were all pleasant and I didn't have a bad encounter with any.
I really didn't know what I was going to do when I started. I just played it by ear and didn't really decide which way to go until I'd get to the intersections, favoring trails I hadn't done before. I had a few routes on my GPS map from my previous Toms Thumb figure 8, the Windgate-Bell Loop, Thomson Peak, and a partial Quartz track. As I went on I figured I might as well try to piece them together, even though I was missing some important bits in between. Luckily I made the correct turns (did ask one biker at a rather obscure intersection) and it turned out to be a wonderful day. What great weather we had this weekend!
It was a little difficult to find the Quartz trail off of Thompson Peak rd, but once I got on the trail I only lost it once. Only needed pants and an extra layer the first 1.5 hours. No bodily injury sustained whatsoever, what a change from the usual
Spotted a ton of mulies in a secluded spot along Quartz.
Most interesting parts were probably the Quartz obelisk and the copper mines. I'd recommend this loop wholeheartedly to anyone willing to do the miles and AEG! You could shave off a few by avoiding all my side trips.
Hmmm, not all the hikes are on HAZ, here was my route: Desert View-Gateway Access-Bell-Prospector-Thompson Peak-Quartz-Nature Wash-Paradise-Levee-104th St-Equestrian-Desert View...I think that's all of them
2010-01-31 nonot
