Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Gold Canyon Day Hike

when	Trip Report : December 3, 2022
where	Superstition Wilderness
the hike	We will take the Hieroglyphic Trail to the petroglyph waterfall. After a short break we’ll take the thin trail past the waterfall going up and to the right into the canyon.     We’ll go about 0.4 miles or so before we find rock cairns leading to a thin trail to ascend a steep, slippery, and brushy slope up to the balanced rock that overlooks the Hieroglyphics. There is a bit of climbing at the top and gloves are recommended.     Once at the balanced rock we can enjoy the view and take pictures. From the rock we will go down a bit and then climb another path back up more rocks to a plateau for a possible lunch break. From there we return the same way.     There is an option when at the top to continue out to a bluff and peak that overlooks Gold Canyon and beyond. This is not an easy optional extension, and will be discussed at the top.
distance	5.5 miles, or 7.25 with the optional extension
time	5-6 hours
EC	up to 2100' elevation change
type	Out and back
starting at	Cloudview Trailhead 33° 23.377' N,  111° 25.478' W  [NAD27]
on trail	50% — zTrail Trail
rating	"B"     Rate yourself as a hiker.
dogs allowed	no
cost	Sharing gas expenses with the driver. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member.
weather	Gold Canyon
meet in Mesa	7:30 AM at Home Depot in Mesa on the SE corner of Power and US 60.
meet at Trailhead	8:00 AM at the trailhead.
drive	•  Take US 60 east into Gold Canyon. • Exit left on King’s Ranch Road. • Follow King’s Ranch to the end and turn right on Baseline. • Turn left on Mohican Road. • Left on east Valley View. • Right on Cloudview to the end. • There are some signs leading to the trailhead. • Caution: watch your speed in Gold Canyon.

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updated December 4, 2022	© Copyright 2022, Arizona Trailblazers.  All rights reserved.