11 Trailblazers are ready for the Goldmine Peak/Dynamite Loop hike. [photo by Rod]

Back Row: Li, Diane, Nancy, Robbi, Jon, Tom, Carl Front Row: Rod, Cindy, Jacki, Terry.

We started the hike with a scenic walk on the Little Leaf trail for about ¾ mile.

Hikers Parade

We turned onto the Goldmine trail for about ½ mile before heading up a steep incline towards a saddle.

Gathering on the Trail

Hiking in Step

Stepping along the trail

We paused at the lower saddle 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 where we enjoyed a 270-degree panoramic view including Downtown Phoenix and the Superstition Mountains.

What a View!!

Great View!!

After a short break, we traveled down the backside of the saddle a steep trail covered with scree. Trail crews were working as we passed.

Moving Down Cautiously by the Trail Crew

Going though the work zone

After a mile, we traveled along the contour towards the Goldmine Trailhead.

YEA!! We are Down!!

Out of the work zone

We took 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. We stopped for a break and snacks.

Taking a Break

Break time

We return to the trail and head SW on the Dynamite trail 1 ¼ 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.

On the Road Home

We turn east on the San Tan Trail for ½ mile where we rejoin the Goldmine trail and head back to the trailhead.