Needles: Remnants of Rock Stars and Gold Mines
While there’s lots of hiking in and around Lake Havasu City, Needle mountain loop trail is the only one we’ve been on that has remnants of rock stars and million dollar gold mines!
The Needles trail is about 30min outside of Havasu and just short of crossing the bridge to California. However, getting to the actual trail head is a bit tricky and directions can be dicey. It’s a good thing our friend Doug has a Jeep.
Stop by the BLM office to get a good map and directions. We suggest 4WD…and a good driver!
The scenery is beautiful and the rock formations are…um…well…erect….
The views are really a distraction from the true mission of this destinations discovery. The side show attractions!
Hidden in caves and crevices are all sorts of treasures. In one spot we found an old stuffed burro missing it’s eyes, sitting next to a broken picture frame and tattered nudy magazine (sorry, no photos). In another hollowed area we found this old guitar with Led Zeppelin’s name engraved on the back. Ok, Led Zeppelin’s name wasn’t there but it would have been cool if it was.
I wish I had some grandiose tall tales to go along with the hidden treasures but I don’t. What I do know is why you can find a bed frame and old bean cans lying around.
There are a series of old mine shafts all through the area and let me tell you, those miners were some messy dudes! They left their crap everywhere!
While we did peek our heads into one of the shafts…
We didn’t explore into the mines…sad, I know but it was for a good reason. Its winter and the bats are in hibernation (and shouldn’t be disturbed) and there is a very serious epidemic of White-Nose Syndrome. It’s killed more than 6.7 million bats which equals way too many mosquito’s running around free! Don’t believe me, check out the website. http://whitenosesyndrome.org/
We did keep with our tradition of rewarding ourselves at the end with cold beer. Something about a really cold beer at the end of a good workout just tastes soooo good!
Cheers to our friend Doug for being a great hiking buddy and our personal tour guide in Lake Havasu City!
Eric Conklin
My wife and I would like to pan for gold. Can you do that at Needles or close by? Or Laughlins, NV?
Victor D.
Wouldn’t recommend drinking alcohol while hiking as these mountains like many have a lot of hidden dangers, also stay out of old mines, very dangerous. Keep an eye out for rattlesnakes, they will definitly ruin your day if bitten. Be careful and have fun! Stay out and stay alive!
Jonathan Fotino
Hi! I recently did the Gold Dome mine hike and it was awesome out there! you seem to have found a lot more relics out there though… what year was this?
Jason Wynn
We took this hike about 2 years ago.
Lisa
I’ve never wanted to go to Lake Havasu City until now…it’s a cheap flight from Minneapolis so if we don’t get there by camper maybe it would make a nice long weekend getaway. My husband would love the hiking. Thanks for the review!
Jason Wynn
LHC is awesome! We absolutely love it there…but mainly during the winter 🙂
Tiffani Lambro
I love all your videos and blog posts! Thank you for making Lake Havasu City look so sexy and fun! I just moved to Havasu over the summer and am loving all the outdoor adventures. I’m looking forward to checking out this trail in Needles, looks fun!
Nikki Wynn
Thanks for following along Tiffani! I am sure you will be leading us around on adventures the next time we are in town! http://www.desertfunlakehavasu.com is a great source for adventure and we’re glad you like our videos!
Tiffani Lambro
Thank you! For sure! Next time you are in town I can hook you up with more fun stuff to do.
Dave
So what was the final decision on Windy… sell or keep? If you sold, what did you buy to replace her? Thanks for the great photos!
Nikki Wynn
Dave, here is the scoop on Windy: https://www.gonewiththewynns.com/sorry-windy
John Bradbury
Jason and Nikki, I’m glad you got out on this hike; I’ve been there many times, including to the top of each of the three main “Needles”. This desert truly is beautiful, glad you enjoy it too. Hope your travels continue to be . . . well, eventful! Look forward to seeing you again, maybe Yosemite or Seattle? Take care.
Rebecca Ingle
Any gold nuggets hidden? Michael would sure enjoy going gold hunting there. Loved the photos . Take care and stay out of the old mine shafts. Love ya
Gary
Great photos Jason, that hike looks like a good time and the brew.