Goldfield Mountains

The Goldfield Mountains of Arizona are located adjacent to the Superstition Mountains, between Usery Pass and Canyon Lake (Arizona). They are less known because of the Superstition Mountains, which are taller and more visible, and contain Canyon Lake (Arizona), which is a huge historic site. The southern part of the Goldfield Mountains used to be a big mining district in 1893.[1] Even though the mining is done, the Goldfield Mountains are still a treasure themselves. These mountains are now big for hiking.

Hiking

The hiking in these mountains is for very advanced hikers. There are no trails on the higher parts of the mountains. The only kinds of trails offered in these mountains are the dirt roadways that were created for miners and ranchers. If someone gets lost, they can easily find their way out. The Goldfield Mountains are pretty compact and if you follow south, you will find the Arizona State Route 88.[2] When by a river and lost, if you go north, Saguaro Lake (Arizona) will appear. While hiking in these mountains, having a compass and plenty of water is very important.[3]

Vegetation and Wildlife

The vegetation zone in the Goldfield Mountains is the Arizona Upland subdivision of the Sonoran Desert, which is also called the saguaro-palo verde forest. Wildlife in these mountains is part of the upper Sonoran ecosystem. These mountains are part of the Tonto National Forest. They contain the trees of palo verde, mesquite, ironwood, desert willow, and catclaw. There are shrubs of ocotillo, saltbush, creosote bush, jojoba, agave, and hackberry. There are also many different kinds of cacti present there. Saguaros are plentiful and so are the pencil cholla cacti. Many different kinds of animals and wildlife creatures have been spotted in the Goldfield Mountains. There have been deer, javelin, foxes, coyotes, roadrunners, red-tailed hawks, bald eagles, and desert tortoises. There are smaller species in these mountains that are protected. These species are: gila monsters and smaller lizards, rattlesnakes and smaller snakes, ground squirrels, tarantulas, centipedes, and horned toads.[4]

References
  1. "The Goldfield Mountains: Trail Riding in Goldfield, Arizona". The Trail Rider. Retrieved 15 March 2013.
  2. "Goldfield Mountains - Apache Junction - Arizona". Arizonensis. Retrieved 13 March 2013.
  3. "Introducing the Goldfield Mountains". mile204.us. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
  4. "Introducing the Goldfield Mountains". mile204.us. Retrieved 12 March 2013.
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