Tonto Creek and the Pittsburgh Tonto Mine

Directions: From the Mesa take Highway 87 to Highway 188. Stay on Highway 188 for 3.3 miles and your going to turn left on Forest Road 649 for .5 miles where you will turn right on Forest Road 184. This road is rough and would require a high clearance 4WD. I parked here and hiked because I wanted a good hike for the dogs and I'm not that confident in my off roading skills. The coordinates for the mine (34°00'01.3"N 111°17'43.5"W)

Dog Friendly: Yes, I went in August and Tonto Creek was flowing and there were large swimming areas. This would be an ideal hike for late fall, winter and early spring. We left early and it was hot on the trip back (95 degrees when we got back to the truck). There are two significant uphills so make sure you're packing enough water for the climb out of Tonto Creek. Know yourself and your dogs, heat kills. Also there are cows, so if your dogs like to chase them, probably want to keep them leashed.

The hike to Tonto Creek wasn't the most exciting terrain but the creek itself and the canyon it flows

Howlie and Ronin standing guard at a prospect

through was great. There were several large pools deep enough for the dogs to have to swim. I kept my boots dry until we came to a point where I had to wade through waist deep water to keep going to the mine. In August the water was great, I'd imagine it would be a little chilly in December.

Adit partially filled with sand

The Pittsburgh Tonto Mine was a gold mine established in 1942. It wasn't right on the creek but up on the steep side of the canyon; however, it was easy to spot because there was a cable running from other side of the creek to the mine. I don't know for sure if it was part of the original mine as way to get the ore to the other side of Tonto Creek. I climbed up to an adit that was partially full of sand. The surrounding rock was highly mineralized and colorful. I did not make it up to the other workings. The canyon walls were steep but did not require climbing gear. I was going to keep going but Ronin didn't like being left and came up with me. I knew getting down was going to be hard enough without a 110 pound ridgeback scrambling around with me. I am definitely coming back when it cools off, without the dogs.