2010 Jan GHOTM: New Year's Amble - Goldfield Ovens Loop

Jan 2010 GHOTM:Goldfield Ovens Loop - Something new, something pretty, something historic, something moderate, something near ...

This hike is being moved to the 3rd Jan - Sunday instead of 2nd Jan as I had originally posted ( It was an error on my part-- can't read my new calendar right!)

Difficulty: 2.5
Route Finding: 2
Distance Round Trip 7.75 miles
Elevation Gain 575 feet
Avg Time Round Trip 4 hours

Start Time: 8:00 am ish at the Blue Point Recreation Site
Directions to trail: North on Ellsworth in Mesa over Usery Pass to Bush Highway. Right on Bush Highway toward Saguaro Lake for 2.5 miles. After crossing the Salt River on the bridge take the first left marked Blue Point Recreation site. Park at the far north end of the parking lot near the restroom. Parking requires a Tonto Day Pass which must be purchased in town before arriving.

http://www.hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=2397
Please read up & look up the hike. I have not hiked here.

Come one every one! Lets hike!

wanderingsoul · Joined: 19 Jul 2004 Posts: 2285 Location: Gilbert AZ

Yes a very beautiful hike and day. Sunny, not too warm and some very beautiful views. Especially enjoyed the high point overlooking sauargo lake with 4 peaks in the background. Just beautiful.. dang I forgot my little case with extra cards and batteries. Only able to snap one or two pics. Sad

But I think Tibber and the rest might have gotten some really good shots.
Interesting little side exploring the cave and oven. Spent some time doing that, but even so we made good time and out early enough for a tasty lunch. Thought the lunch special would be small.... NOT !! It was very good and I have left overs for the week now Wink

Nice way to start the New Year, even if I just got outta bed when Ambika rang my bell. Embarassed

Musta read Deborah's post to seriously. But I made it anyway, only a few things I forgot and missing, like my other glove. Switched off so both hands got some use of the one I had. Laughing

Very nice hike and day... Nice seeing everyone again.
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Wanderingsoul (Michelle)

Positive Thinking Is the Spark that Makes Dreams Happen~~~Unknown

Hikngrl · Posted: 1/3/2010, 6:07 pm Post subject:

We had a wonderful time today! It was great to be out and moving. The weather coudn't have been better and the hike was lots of fun and beautiful! The food was yummy! Todd ate so much he hasn't even proclaimed hunger again since then and that is unusual!

When we got home we were out playing in our garden and heard a funny little noise. We looked around a bit and didn't see anything so proceeded with our activities. Soon we heard that funny little noise again and I went looking and found a beautiful parrot sitting next to our garden! His wings are clipped so we know he is domesticated... We have put signs up all over the neighborhood in hopes of finding his people... In the mean time Rich's old show cage is being put to good use!

What a day!
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~~~Diane~~~

I want to shine!

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

How cool that you found the parrot before the neighborhood cat got there...Hope you can find its rightful owner or you might just be a proud parent of a parrot!
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Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

I have added permissions for all of you to post under the Goldfield Loop Album. Please PM me if you have trouble creating sub-albums

More Photos: www.arizonahikers.com/forum/modules.php?set_albumName=albun89&op=modload&name=gallery&file=index&include=view_album.php
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Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

beckett · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 1066

Thanks for the photos Ambika! It was a joyous day!

Linda
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tibber · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 247 Location: Phoenix

Great day indeed. Thanks Shawn for helping with Scout. Haven't uploaded my route to Mapsource yet to see how it looks. But at least Scout knew his way to the picnic area Laughing

.

I enjoyed the cave exploration as well and of course the vistas along the Salt River and of Saguaro Lake and the Four Peaks. It was a beautiful day to be sure and the company was lovely.

I do know two things, I much prefer going down a wash and down a dry creek bed. It's easier in many ways.

I hope the parrot owners will be calling you soon. If not, I have extra crackers Razz

.

PS. Nice pics Ambika!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Angela from N Phoenix

beckett · Joined: 14 Feb 2005 Posts: 1066

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

How about some more photos -- I am getting tired of looking at my own Sad

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Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

tibber · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 247 Location: Phoenix

I just have to share with you that between this hike and Friday's 8.5 miler in the White Tanks, I kicked some major a.. with my lunges in Barbell Strength class tonite. Bang

I could have done more lunges. When I looked around it seemed I also had more weight on my barbell than others in the class. And then it dawned on me, all this hiking must have given me the extra power or something Wink

.

Second, desertgirl, I'm working on editing my photos. I hope to add them to your album tomorrow or Wednesday. I thot your photos were great and look forward to the other hiker's photos too.
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Angela from N Phoenix

Nighthiker · Joined: 05 Jan 2003 Posts: 1714

When I was in a backpacking club in Jr. High in Mesa we would hike from the Jr. high and camp in the area I remember the kilns and was told there were also used to make a type of charcoal for smelting. There is an amethyest mine nearby as well.

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

Why is my album not showing up under the galery ? I can still access the album via the link that is with my previous post here? Also noted that it us now under Untitled ...which is hidden ? Confused

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Photos: http://www.pbase.com/desertgirl/galleries
Life is but a dream ...there is no end to what you can dream!

GTG · Posted: 1/7/2010, 8:41 pm Post subject:

desertgirl · Joined: 19 Jan 2003 Posts: 3350 Location: Chandler, AZ

tibber · Joined: 16 Feb 2004 Posts: 247 Location: Phoenix

yep, and I just used it Crazy

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Angela from N Phoenix