Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Goldmine Peak - Dynamite Loop Day Hike

when	January 28, 2023
	Trip Report : March 19, 2022
where	San Tan Regional Park
the hike	We will start the hike with a scenic walk on the Little Leaf trail for about ¾ mile. Along the way you will see an assortment of plant life that make up the Sonoran Desert including Mesquite, Palo Verde, Ocotillo, Assorted Cholla, Fishhook Barrel Cactus, Prickly Pear Cactus and Saguaro Cactus. Animal Life is abundant as well including Coyotes, desert tortoises (in the nature area), a variety of lizards and snakes. Rabbits and rodents, and several species of bats (Nocturnal). Birds include roadrunners, Gila woodpeckers, quail, and a variety of owls and hawks.     We turn onto the Goldmine trail for about ½ mile before heading up a steep incline towards a saddle. We will pause here to enjoy the view towards the Superstitions. We turn west as the trail follows the contour ½ mile to another saddle. Goldmine Peak is at the end of a steep ¼ mi incline. Goldmine peak has a 270-degree panoramic view. Including Downtown Phoenix and the Superstition Mountains.     After a short break for snacks and pictures, we will travel down the backside of the saddle. This is a steep trail covered with scree so care must be taken. Hiking poles recommended. After a mile, we will travel along the contour towards the Goldmine Trailhead. We will take a short side trip to a graveyard where two prospectors, Mansel Carter and Marion Kennedy, first lived in a cave near the foot of Goldmine Mountain. They filed 55 claims many of which are still active (some still owned by their descendants and others by Exxon Corp.).     We return to the trail and head SW on the Dynamite trail 1¼ miles to another saddle with views Northwest towards Chandler and South East towards the Malpais range. We drop down the backside of the saddle and follow an arroyo to the San Tan Trail. We turn east on the San Tan Trail for ½ mile where we rejoin the Goldmine trail and head back to the trailhead. Required: •  At least 3 liters of water Recommended: •  Sunblock •  Hiking poles •  Snacks •  Camera
distance	6.4 miles
EC	1230' elevation change
elevations	1680' Trailhead, Goldmine Peak 2465'
time	4-5 hours
type	Loop
starting at	San Tan Regional Park 33.1679° N,  111.6359° W
on trail	Little Leaf 8%, Goldmine 42%, Dynamite 38%
rating	"C"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs allowed	no
cost	Vehicle entry fee $7.00 Day Use Maricopa County Parks Annual Pass $85 (Access to all 14 regional parks) The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
weather	San Tan Valley
leader	You must email the leader to confirm.
meet	9 AM San Tan Regional Park Horse Parking Lot (Large parking lot SE of visitor center)
drive	•  Take US 60 east to AZ202 • Turn south on AZ202 for 3¼ mile to AZ24 • Take exit 34A for AZ-24 E 2 mi • Turn right (south) onto S Ellsworth Rd 7.1 mi • Ellsworth Road curves east and becomes W Hunt Hwy continue 1.1 mi • Turn right (South) onto N Thompson Rd 2.1 mi • Turn right (west) onto Phillips Road 1 mi to the San Tan Mountain Regional Park entrance. • The trailhead has a visitor/nature center/gift store with restrooms available. • North of the visitor’s center is a windmill powered pond, tortoise enclosure and Veteran’s memorial.

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updated January 15, 2023	© Copyright 2023, Arizona Trailblazers.  All rights reserved.