Day 16 - Superstition Mountains

Day 16 - Superstition Mountains - Siphon Draw

The majestic, prehistoric peaks of the Superstition Mountains, 60 miles east of Phoenix Arizona, welcomed me to this new state on Easter Sunday. After driving five hours from Joshua Tree through a scenic area of JT and then east through a valley surrounded by Smoky Mountains-Esque vistas, I arrived to my next campground at Lost Dutchman State Park. Still early afternoon and restless from the car ride, I decided to hike up the 3000 foot ascent Siphon Draw trail, to the Flatiron mountain seen in the middle of this photo.

The last mile of the hike turned from hiking into rock climbing, scurrying over boulders, making sure of your footing and looking closely for faded blue dots of rocks that marked the trail. And I mean faded like they were painted thirty years ago. At one point I lost the trail and found myself below a vertical cliff, with handholds making it possible to ascend, but clearly too difficult. I retreated left across the mountain and soon found an easier path that looked well travelled-- the trail. I made it up to the top and had this picture taken by another peak hiker.

A very fit and good looking couple came up ten minutes after me and laid out a blanket and had an Easter picnic on the flatiron top. Very adorable, I took their picture for them. I continued across another mountain down another path for a half mile and came to an incredible view of the Superstitions. This is truly an exceptionally beautiful mountain range. You expect dinosaurs to be flying over head.

With Sunset two hours away and not wanting to descend in dark, I went down. I passed several groups-- all college aged, coming up the mountain trying to make it by sunset. Adventurous but stupid if you ask me, but they continued up as I went down. I passed one more view before arriing back down, showering, watching a glorious sunset and retiring to my luxury van-bed accommodations.

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