Six inspired hikers set out from Willow Springs Trailhead to visit the Goldfield Mountains: Grace and Mike Haverty, Bill Ruppert, Joyce Parrish, Stephen Trombitas, and hike leader Ted Tenny. The weather was gorgeous!

Gonzales Needle marks the way.

Cliffs of volcanic tuff tower over Prevention Gap.

Prevention Gap is marked by a fence, left over from ranching days. The fence is open on the south side. From Prevention Gap we have expansive views of the high country to the west (Dome Mountain and peak 3325) and the northwest (the Golden Dome and peak 3141). The Golden Dome isn’t marked on topographic maps. It’s the 3200' peak between the letters “M” and “O” in “Goldfield Mountains” in the southeastern part of the USGS Stewart Mountain quadrangle. Peak 3325 is by the “G”, Ted explained. Its name, Panorama Peak, should be on the map.

West of Prevention Gap we start down the slope, losing elevation gradually. We are heading toward Helmet Rock, the round golden knob a half mile ahead. This part of the hike is over a very colorful region of lava flows, Sonoran vegetation, and panoramic views of the high country and Willow Springs Canyon. Near Helmet Rock we enjoyed the gorgeous scenery and took group pictures.

There is a slickrock canyon between us and Helmet Rock. We had to turn left and go back to a canyon which flows west to the streambed. Climbed down to the streambed and turned right. From there we continued downstream toward Wishbone Junction. The streambed is lined with cobblestones in some places and slickrock in others, as it descends gently to the northwest through a variegated upper Sonoran ecosystem.

At Wishbone Junction a major tributary flows in from the left after leaving a steep-walled canyon. This was about 1½ miles after we had started walking the streambed. At the junction there are colorful cliffs on the right but an easy slope on the left. Snack break.

We continued downstream 1/8 mile from Wishbone Junction, dancing the Wishbone Junction Rock-Hop. As soon as Ted saw an easy place to climb out of the streambed on the right we did so, continuing up to some brightly colored slickrock. Beyond the first formation of golden slickrock is a second. We got up on the next to highest level of the second slickrock formation, then kept walking southeast to the lowest part of the wide ridge between Wishbone Junction and Willow Springs Canyon.

This is a fantastic lunch and picture spot!

Stephen scouted the route, then we bailed out on the east side at the lowest point. Just below us is a smooth ridge that leads down into Willow Springs Canyon. Turn right and walk the ridge to the bottom, then continue down the wash. Soon we saw a smooth canyon on the left with tire tracks, the Willow Springs Canyon road.

We followed the road southeast until it seemed to dead end. Here we climbed over a white boulder and up into Willow Springs Canyon. The canyon route upstream is alternately rocky and sandy, with white boulders giving way to multicolored boulders. There are caves on the right side, and signs of ranching. Soon the road joins the canyon. From here we followed the road south to Willow Springs Trailhead.

Overall it was a very enjoyable hike. Highlights included:

This hike is described in Goldfield Mountain Hikes by Ted Tenny, pages 106-108.