Gold Mine
From Sudbury, take the Trans Canada highway west towards Sault Ste. Marie. At about 108 km out of Sudbury, take Hwy 108 north towards Elliot Lake and travel north for 64 km, which will take you through Elliot Lake and the 108 will turn into the 639. After 64 km, the road will end at Hwy 546 - at this point turn left and venture southwest for 7.6 km, where you will find the trail into the crag.
At the 7.6 km mark is a small pull-off on the south side of the road. The trail to Gold Mine is on the opposite side of the road approximately 15-30 feet west of the parking area. The trail zig-zags through the trees and, as of last year, still had downed trees that need to be stepped over. The more the area is frequented, the more obvious the path will become. Follow the trail until you see rocks (3-5 minutes) and the trail will split off left (west) and right (east). Look left and you will notice a slab approximately 40 yards away. This is the Ant boulder. Travelling right (east, 3-5 minutes) the first boulder encountered is the Alexander the Great boulder. Gold Mine is split up between four different areas. (See topo below.)
Camping is located at the 10.7 km mark south from the Hwy 546 turn. Turn left onto the logging road and continue for 300 m and camp along the river bank area.
Sources
Routes
| Name | Grade ↑ | Star rating | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gnomely | V1 | - | Sit start on the good hold and topout above. |
| Inky Cap | V1 | - | On the Magic Mushroom boulder to the right of Cubey. An easier slab problem on the far right of the slab section of the boulder. Stand start on your choice of holds and climb the enjoyable slab.
FA: Thomas Piche |
| Left Flank of Gaugamela | V1 | - | Start just around the corner to the left of Gaugamela. Climb straight up.
FA: Aaron Bopp |
| Mossarella | V1 | - | Low start on a pretty obvious ledge on the edge of the arête. Climb the arête to the top.
FA: Jessica Authier |
| Scooby Snacks | V1 | - | Starts on the right of the main slab but left of the arête. |
| Slitherin | V1 | - | Slitherin is a V1 on the north side of the sorting hat boulder. This is one of the first boulders in the Nightmare Zone.
FA: Danny Plonka |
| Slow Bro | V1 | - | The climb is in between Brail on the left middle of the slab and Snail Trail on the right arête.
FA: Danny Plonka |
| Antagonist | V1+ | - | Start on horizontal dime-size crimps and great feet. Climb straight up.
FA: Charlie Hall 2019 |
| Antrophy | V2 | - | A hard start leads to delicate smearing on bad feet to reach a seam near the top of the boulder.
FA: Aaron Bopp |
| Army Ant | V2 | - | This climb is on the north side of the ant boulder, and is burlier than the other slabby climbs on this massive boulder.
FA: Charlie Hall |
| Child’s Play | V2 | - | Start on the two edges at the same height as each other just on opposite sides of the arête. Climb up the slab using decent holds. An easy top-out awaits you.
FA: Chris Myers |
| Gaugamela | V2 | - | Tricky start on the blunt face leading to a committing top.
FA: Steve Taylor |
| Gold Rush | V2 | - | On the Sunday School boulder opposite the climb What Bugs. Stand start stemming using a right facing side pull and a crimp. Climb through good holds to top out.
FA: Thoma Piche |
| No Stairway | V2 | - | This is a slabby line on the north side of the Waynes World Boulder. Which is one of the first boulders as you enter the nightmare zone. Not far from ant boulder. Just left/ west by maybe 100’.
FA: Danny Plonka |
| Pro Gym Climber | V2 | - | Climb the cool-looking water-grooved slab on the right side but left of the arête.
FA: Aaron Bopp |