Mark's Cycling & Hiking Blog
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups
  • Home
  • Mark's Cycling Blog
  • Contact Us
  • Boulder Canyon Posts
  • Cycling Event Meet-Ups

Sunrise Arch in Goldfield Mountains

3/29/2016

1 Comment

 
Picture
I was returning from an easy ride on Sunday when this guy slithered on the bike path.  A cyclist approaching from the other direction stopped when I waved and thanked me for the head's up.  He said a couple of weeks ago a group of 4 cyclists all crashed when they almost ran over a rattler.  He said he has seen bobcats, snakes, javelinas, etc.. while out on this remote portion of the trail. 
Picture
I was intrigued by a report about the large arch in the Goldfield Mountains called "Sunrise" because the sun shines through it in the morning.  The Goldfields are just west of Superstition Wilderness.  I drove and found a pullout where I started the hike.
Picture
In the distance is "Four Point Mountain" and there center right is a portion of the Salt River.  Beautiful place and with a gps track for the route, what could go wrong?
Picture
Of course plenty.  It seems I have to visit a new place one time, make tons of rookie mistakes and then come back for the success later.  The trail was easy to follow in spots and hard to find in others as it crossed a river bed that must be in use during flood stage of the Salt.  Lots of vegetation obscured views of the river as I walked near to it. After about 3 miles a distinct trail came down from the above hill so I followed it.  Soon my location differed from the gps route and so I struck off trail up an adjoining slope looking for the route but my position didn't improve much relative to the track and I retreated down to....
Picture
....the trail where my Garmin indicated I should be.  I headed farther east where this time the trail was distinct.  I reached another side trail and took it up a ravine.  It was steep in spots but soon, the Garmin indicated I was again off.  I poked around looking for the proper approach but could not find it.  I gave up and headed directly toward the river, hoping maybe I could wade across as I did not want to go back the way I came, for a variety of reasons.
Picture
There were enough gaps in the river bed vegetation that I made it to the river bank and came down a sandy slope, emerging at....
Picture
....the river's edge.  Whoa too deep here but looking down stream, I could see plenty of ripples indicating the opportunity for a shallower crossing.  I took off my socks, packing them and everything in my shorts into a back pack and headed across.  About half way, there was a violent movement beneath the water to my right.  I had disturbed something long that had been waiting in the shallows, some kind of angry, venomous sea serpent no doubt. I vastly quickened my pace while simultaneously using my lone hiking pole to prod ahead of me. I made it!  I was happy!!
Picture
I pressed as much water from my shoes as I could, put the socks back on and headed west via Bush Highway.  Looking to the left....
Picture
....I wondered how I had screwed up.  I had made it to the base of that middle rock feature on its left flank but nothing there.  The gps route indicated I was to be left of that so probably up that ravine on the left.  With this information, I will be better prepared and will make it next time.
          
1 Comment
Mark
3/29/2016 02:43:07 pm

Oh, finished with 9 miles. 84 degrees. good hiking weather.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Mark is a long-time cyclist, hiker, golfer and plays some table tennis...ok, it's ping pong.

    Categories

    All
    April
    California Riding
    Grand Canyon Backpacking
    March
    The Characters

    Archives

    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    October 2010
    September 2010
    August 2010
    July 2010
    June 2010
    May 2010
    April 2010
    March 2010
    February 2010
    January 2010
    December 2009
    November 2009
    October 2009
    September 2009
    August 2009
    July 2009
    June 2009
    May 2009
    April 2009
    March 2009
    February 2009

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.