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| Hiking | 9.23 Miles |
1,037 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.23 Miles | 3 Hrs 15 Mns | | 2.90 mph |
| 1,037 ft AEG | 4 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I had planned to kayak the Salt, but my wife decided pickleball was more important  So, I reluctantly decided to hit up a section of the Goldfields that I hadn't explored. I knew it would be hot, but hoped for the best.
The pull out near mile marker 203 had one car in it when I arrived just before 7 am. There's a huge parking area there, but it was largely inaccessible with a locked gate, noting it's closed. Seems like this used to be a popular horse/ATV staging area.
Anywhoo, crossed the street and headed out on the unsigned trail, which as the description notes, is an old jeep road. Nothing too exciting for the first mile or so, except a nice d-back who was enjoying the morning in the middle of the trail. We said hello, and he politely moved off the trail since I was the uphill hiker.
The geology started to get a little more interesting descending into Rough N Ready Canyon. At the end of the canyon track, I veered off the official route and took a broader, alternate route back. While in the canyon area, the geology remained interesting. There was a nice "bowl" area that I marked on my route.
Lots of side trails for mountain bikers and motorcycles. I took a few, as they promised clearer travelling than staying in the drainage, but in many cases, they involved a lot of climbing up and down, before depositing you back in the drainage anyway. Saw a couple of deer in this area.
The final few miles, the trail opened up and was a little blah, except providing nice views of the Supes, Flatiron, and Weaver's Needle. It was also getting hot.
Got a decent workout, but as with a lot of my Goldfield hikes, I have a hard time getting too excited. They tend to be just OK for the most part. Maybe I haven't done enough research, but for you true Goldfield lovers out there, what trails get you excited in this area? |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
We made our way through the washes and trails and up to the saddle at the top of Rhyodacite just before 10am…..let the fun begin! Down Rhyodacite we went….through the bushes and over the rocks. Lots of type 3 fun! We had done a year prior as a loop from the high country but we hadn’t had time that day to check out all of the books and crannies this canyon has to offer. Checked out a few caves that happened to be well worth our while. Then came the dreaded March along salt river back to the car. All in all, a great day!
This is a beautiful Canyon and if you haven't been there, I would highly recommend this as go to hike. Lot of water running today 
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" ---- 
style. Amen !!! No Cel service, we had no actual route to follow, Now no way to contact anyone 
new ETA 7 PM and Iris is waiting 
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.
