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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Better than Bopp | V3 | - | Start on crimps and make a few moves. Use levitation and palm press to establish feet high. Stand up and use better crimps to the top.
FA: Brendan Baars |
| Creature of the Mine | V3 | - | Start with both hands on the left-slanting rail. Climb up the arête and top out.
FA: Linda Yang |
| Crystal | V3 | - | Start on obvious crimp in the middle of the face and figure out how to surmount the small roof. |
| Dirty Hand Box | V3 | - | Start with a side-pull ledge with your left and a crimp inside the cave with your right. Head up and left to a good ledge until you can reach up and right to use the side of the boulder (where bush is in left picture). Stand straight up on starting block. Move left and top out. Confusing and tricky.
FA: Aaron Bopp |
| Fools Gold | V3 | - | Fools gold is a nice tall line with enjoyable holds. First move is a big one and the rest is a cruise. Head up to he highest point and top out. This climb is on the north side of the boulder opposite the climb What Bugs.
FA: Danny Plonka |
| Frat House Stafford | V3 | - | A one move wonder! Start with left hand on undercling/sidepull and right hand on a crimp. Jump/cross/do something to reach the lip and hold on! Mantle it out and grab your points.
FA: Brendan Baars |
| Mossoncini | V3 | - | Uses the same start as Mossy Moves but go right towards Mossarella and finish by going up the arête.
FA: Jessica Authier |
| Opal | V3 | - | Same start as Diamond but moving right on small crimps.
FA: Brendan Baars |
| Party on Garth | V3 | - | Sit start on a mini sloping crimp rail. same start as Party on Wayne. move right through easy moves and meet up with Wayne Stepping' to top out. |
| Ruby | V3 | - | Same start as Diamond but moving left and a couple moves.
FA: Brendan Baars |
| Seedless | V3 | - | Starts with both hands on the obvious scoop feature on the left side of the arête. Use the arête and an undercling to the left of the arête to establish yourself and keep moving. |
| They All Can't Be Gold | V3 | - | Start with left hand on a good sidepull and right hand pressing. Figure out how to top out using the sloping crimp above and the left slab.
Located on the backside of Slug Boulder. |
| Toad Stool | V3 | - | Toad Stool lies just to the right of the arête. Go straight up the slab and directly over the bulgy roof. Reach up to better than expected holds for a hero top out.
FA: Danny Plonka |
| Brail | V4 | - | On the snail boulder left of Slow Bro. Start with tentative feet. A left hand on a round quartz rock sticking out slightly and right hand on a okay pinch. Slap to the arête try not to barn door before you top out. Techy slab climbers will enjoy this.
FA: Thomas Piche |
| Bucephalus | V4 | - | Pictured bottom right. Start using an undercling and good feet. Make your way up using your imagination into a good stance on a small ledge. Breathe then precariously make your way up using poor feet and poor hands. Gain high feet and reach for the top. If not for the reachiness, this problem would be 5 stars.
FA: Aaron Bopp |