We have a Grand Canyon hike down Nankoweap coming up soon, so it is time for me to get in hiking shape. That means weekend hikes on familiar and new trails. We've really not explored the Goldfield mountains and this hike to Dome Mountain was about the right length, so we headed out to check it out.
The beginning was pretty uninspiring - lots of jeep road. Yeah, it is still scenic out there, but my hopes for this being a good hike dissolved as we went on. As Nancy said, at least we'll get some good base miles. However, we eventually found the trail to the mountain, off the jeep roads. Then it started to get interesting.
well, hello
colors match with the rock pretty well
definitely gaining some altitude. Superstition mountains in the background.
headed all the way to the top
the trail is steep and loose up here
poles were a good idea on this one
top of Dome Mountain - highest point in the Goldfield mountains
Four Peaks in the distance
a very different view of Weavers Needle
360 view from the top of the mountain
time to head back down
not the best "trail"
it is actually harder going down this sort of stuff
looking over a cliff
the arrows were actually helpful. the trail was not always obvious
a view of Four Peaks from lower down
Sedona has red rocks. Goldfields have yellow rocks
four moto guys were trying to do the trail. at this point they decided that was a bad idea
looking back to Dome
the trail mellowed out down low
after this pic a cholla ball attacked Nancy's shoe
back to jeep and dirt roads
Arizona trails always seem to go through washes
interesting texture on those rocks
This turned out to be a good training hike for the Canyon. Some good high intensity climbing on dodgy surfaces, plus 10 miles of distance. This hike actually intersected in parts with the Queen's Ransom backpacking route as well as the AZT800 route. So that was interesting.
