This is an easy to moderate hike of approximately 5.5 miles total, out and back, to the mine at the McDowell Mountain Regional Park. We park outside of a gated community and walk approximately 10 minutes to the trailhead. The parking facilities, however, are limited, with about 22 spaces, but we have never had a problem in the past! The trail setting is really beautiful and the trail is generally smoother than most. Small hills with interesting rock formations and many saguaros. There are no pit toilets but on the trail, there are plenty of bushes. We will view the old mine from the top looking down into it, then the mine entrance itself, some petroglyphs, and hopefully see the fountain at Fountain Hills spew 300-560 feet into the air. There is a $2.00 cash fee to hike the trail.
Directions: Take I-10 north to the 202 east. The 202 east to the 101 north to Shea Blvd, exit 41. Stay on Shea Blvd to North Palisade and make a left. Continue on North Palisade to North Manzanita Lane and again, make a left. North Manzanita turns into Sunridge Dr. which turns into Mountain Parkway which is also East Golden Eagle Blvd. (Distance approximately 70 miles, 1 hr. 15 min)
(GPS: 14597 E Golden Eagle Blvd.)
Jerry's Cell
307-630-0252
John's Cell
207-446-0650
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