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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open the Iliad | V4 | - | The first climb you see when approaching the boulder from the main trail. Start on a big step and climb the dihedral aiming up and right. Small holds and feet make the last move a treat.
FA: Aaron Bopp |
| Party on Wayne | V4 | - | A one move wonder but still fun! Sit start with both hands on crimpy rail. Make the crux move straight up with the right hand and trend left! |
| Plumline | V4 | - | TBD |
| Regina | V4 | - | Start left hand on a southern sandstone like slimper and a right hand low in a crack. A funky imaginative bottom leads to pure slab technique on bad holds to reach the penultimate jug near the top.
FA: Aaron Bopp |
| Side Effects | V4 | - | Start low on the arête as Magic Mushroom starts then take a swing over into Lost Corner and top out as Lost Corner does. It's a link-up between Magic Mushrooms and Lost Corner.
FA: Joshua Lightfoot |
| They All Can't Be Gold Extension | V4 | - | Same start, same first move up and on slopers/sloping crimps. Instead of heading up and finishing, head right around the bulge, topping out a body length away from the start. |
| Stardate | V4+ | - | Start on two separate crimps and make a couple moves to reach the crux. Pull around the bulge and make your way onto the slab headwall. Continue to the top.
FA: Cody Erickson |
| 615 Dollars | V5 | - | Start by climbing the sloper ledges up to meet the crux in the middle of the boulder. Figure out a high left foot or stretch and grab a crimp. Finish up on easier terrain. The first boulder encountered from the trail. Obvious vert wall.
FA: Aaron Bopp |
| Barn Door Baby | V5 | - | To the left of Lost Corner on the Magic Mushroom boulder. Start span from the left arête to a far sloping side pull. Find a good heel and slap up to good holds to top out. Shorter climbers will have to get very creative.
FA: Thomas Piche |
| Creature of the Mine, Low | V5 | - | Start with both hands on the low platform and climb into Creature of the Mine.
FA: Pierre Cusa |
| Eat This Scroll | V5 | - | A dihedral delight. Start standing with your hands wide at the base of the dihedral. Master your way up the open book using any beta or body part available.
FA: Aaron Bopp |
| Flange | V5 | - | TBD |
| Loud and Prowd | V5 | - | A sit start with opposing side pulls, make a hard move up to a pinch and top out the prow. It's a powerful mini compression block. To the left of Sunday School. Obvious Arête. |
| Magic Mushroom | V5 | - | On the Magic Mushroom boulder to the right of Lost Corner. Stand start on the arête and using small face holds. Climb the slab to a very committing move to the top of the roof. Many pads will help.
FA: Thomas Piche |
| Maple Leaf | V5 | - | Are you a crimp master and love small feet? This is for you! Without doubt a cool-looking boulder. The only reason it gets downgraded is because it is slightly an eliminate but such a cool climb on minuscule crimps and tiny, tiny feet. The eliminate part only comes into play during the first couple moves. The start hold is located by the right arête and due to the shape of the boulder you can grab the right "part of the leaf". But as soon as you make a couple moves using the obvious crimps, It's full face climbing!
FA: Aaron Bopp 2019 |