Lost Goldmine Cougar Loop

This is a nice morning or evening hike along the border with Tonto National Forest.  It is also a popular mountain bike area.  Trailhead parking is paved and large.  The trail starts by walking through a gate with signs reminding you to close the gate after passin through.  Walk up a hill for a short distance to a trail split.  To the right is the Cougar Trail and the left is the Lost Gold Mine Trail.

Follow the Lost Gold Mine trail for 1.75 miles.  At this point the Lost Gold Mine Trail turns left and the Cougar Trail turns right.  The Cougar Trail is not marked so best to a some tracks downloaded.  Th Cougar Trail has a lot of twists and turns and is primarily a mountain bike route. Follow the trail for about 2.25 miles back to the split, turning left to the trailhead.

Plenty of Saguaro Cactus and Cholla along this route.  Really nice with the Superstition Mountains in the background.