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| | | Goldfield Hi Country Arches Loop, AZ | | | |
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Goldfield Hi Country Arches Loop, AZ
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| Hiking | 12.01 Miles |
2,183 AEG |
| | Hiking | 12.01 Miles | 9 Hrs 24 Mns | | 1.76 mph |
| 2,183 ft AEG | 2 Hrs 34 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | We'd had this one on our list for a while and wanted to fit it in before the bald eagle closures start on December 1. We started from the Blue Point Trailhead at the north gate to Bulldog Canyon, and we had our first wildlife sighting on the drive to the trailhead as a coyote ran alongside the highway. The temperature was in the upper 30s when we set out on the OHV roads, and our goal for the day was to visit the three named arches in the area (Delicate, Precarious, and Sunrise).
We started out generally following @adilling's route from ~ five years ago that forms a counter-clockwise loop with a few spurs out to some overlooks. We were fairly warned--his triplog said, "If you ever follow my gps for this hike, you will be cursing me, as I took a torturous route to get to the Gateway Canyon trail." I was mostly cursing myself for not picking a better route for the early part of the hike  . Once we left the roads, we had a very slow mile covering loose, steep hillsides, with a lot of ups and downs across small but steep drainages. The highlight of that mile was surprising and scattering a group of 5+ javelinas in one of those drainages.
We made our way up a steep, crumbly embankment to leave another creek bed, and while I waited at the top, I stepped toward some low brush and heard a rattle. I'd been standing there for a few minutes without realizing there was a well-camouflaged rattlesnake coiled in the brush, and that final step was close enough to earn a warning rattle...quite the day for wildlife.
We finally connected with the well-cairned trail that led us through Gateway Canyon up to the saddle. It's a beautiful area full of caves and recessions in the cliffs. We considered taking a detour up to Peak 3097 but decided against it, not knowing what the terrain was like on the remainder of the loop, so we continued to Delicate Arch, a long, thin arch that looks like it's barely hanging on.
From there, we continued toward Precarious Arch, and I detoured over to an overlook for some views of Saguaro Lake and the Salt River before we reached the second arch. That was another small but nice one, formed by a boulder lodged (precariously) between two other rocks. Then we headed northeast, and I went up to the Bulldog Cliffs High Point--more great views, and there was a summit register at the top, placed in 2021, with the most recent entry from earlier this month.
[ youtube video ]
Next up was the descent down the chute toward Sunrise Arch. The top was straightforward and not too steep, but it got more exciting farther down. I briefly thought we'd cliffed out at one point, but we moved over to the east wall of the canyon and found a safe route down. It looked a little intimidating from above, but the drops were manageable, and the rock was solid, unlike so much of the crumbly stuff we'd been on most of the day.
[ youtube video ]
I hadn't looked at pictures of Sunrise Arch in advance, and I was pleasantly surprised at how large it is. It's big enough to walk out on top, and we enjoyed the views from above and below...that whole part of the canyon around the chute and the arch is very nice.
[ youtube video ]
We hiked down through the arch, following a bunch of informal cairned trails until we were near the river again and followed that west. A Maricopa County Sheriff helicopter with an officer's legs hanging out the side circled overhead a few times. Not sure if that was a rescue operation, a search for an escaped convict, or just a training flight...
Overall, it was a nice day in a new part of the Goldfields for us...a few nice wildlife sightings, great scenery, and perfect weather. I didn't see anyone all day, though TboneKathy saw two people going up to the Bulldog Cliffs High Point while I was coming down...not sure how I passed without seeing them. I was happy the timing worked to fit this in before the closure, and it's an area I'd gladly visit again. Next time I'll take a more efficient route over to Gateway Canyon and use the extra time to check out Peak 3097 . |
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but my focus was on finding baby long-nosed snakes as they are NOW out and crawling about looking for their first newborn photos to be featured on HAZ and other social media. 
Changed our plans. Asked her to meet us at the Willow Springs TH at 5 to 5:30 at the latest. The route we wanted turned out not to be 2 miles but 4 miles of -- To quote AZLOT69 triplog --- "This will test your endurance and route finding skills" ---- 
very understanding. We had to go up thru a couple of saddles to check out the route from a higher view point, last saddle we went up got cliffed out , but looked below and found a ramp that took us back down to the wash. Be prepared for heavy brush and catclaw during your many crossings of the wash. This center 4 miles or so is the path of least resistance !!! You are in the sun most of the day, so plenty of water, rest and anything over 85 degrees I would think twice before attempting. Over all this was a great hike with views of the inner Goldfields seldom seen.
