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| Goldfield Arches and Explorations, AZ | |
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| | Goldfield Arches and Explorations, AZ | | | |
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Goldfield Arches and Explorations, AZ
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| Hiking | 6.16 Miles |
1,360 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.16 Miles | | | |
| 1,360 ft AEG | | | | |
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none
[ show ]
| no partners | | Back to the Goldfields to find some arches and explore this amazing area.
I had a couple of goals set and I managed 3 out of 4.
First up, Golden Eye Arches. I have attempted to find these elusive little guys in the past without success. I finally found them. Nothing special, but it was great to finally find them. The next “target” was Helmut Rock. I made it to the base and started losing traction before I even started. I looked at the steepness and decided I would admire this geology from afar rather than risk life and limb to get to the top. Maybe another time and day.
My next two destinations were a couple of arches that I have been to in the past. I am not sure what the first one is called – Anniversary Arch? But, I saw someone called it the Dragon Eye Arch too. I kinda like the latter. I first saw this one a couple years ago with @DarthStiller on another exploration of the Goldfields.
Next up – Checkmate Arch. I climbed up to this one years ago. The bushwhack was not too bad heading over to the base. This is a neat arch with the usual stacking. The trail I took down was overly cairned. I don’t remember any the last time I went up there. I heard someone refer to this as the IT Arch, but I can’t see that. Of course, I cannot see a checkmate either. Maybe I need to look beyond the stack of rocks before me to get a deeper meaning? 
My little loop was about 6 miles with some nice up and down and some thorny and rough bushwhacking added in for flavoring. So, a typical day for me in the Goldfields.
When I made it back to the trailhead parking there was a group of people with parrots and they were flying all over the place. At first, I thought it was a falcon, then I noticed the colors and thought – wow, that’s the biggest lovebird I have ever seen. But, as it approached, they were definitely parrots! There were about 6-7 of them flying all over the place. Very cool.
[ youtube video ]
The empty parking lot I started at was packed when I got back. Tis’ the season. |
| _____________________
"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."
instagram: @andydilling |
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