I expect it to follow the same pattern as the price: to peak and slowly diminish after that.
Last price peak in 2012 induced a hashrate increase that lasted for months.
Anyone has any data pointing to a reverse relationship, where hashrate would be driving price?
Well then you're gonna have some explaining to do in regards to timing because we are not going to peak and slowly diminish any time soon as Avalon batch 2 will be delivered in 1-3 days followed by batch 3 and more asicminers.
I also disagree with your visual interpretation of price always leading. If you really zoom in and look carefully I could make the opposite argument that hashrate leads. It's just that the price spikes are so violent in comparison that it looks like they're leading.
Your gold mining analogy is also off as gold miners do not have a philosophical motivation to help or secure a network as do bitcoin miners.