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Weekend Warriors Arizona Hiking Guide
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If a steep climb to 360 views of the Phoenix area as well as Superstition State Part appeals to you, Flat Iron is your hike. *** UPDATED DECEMBER 2006, SINCE THEY MOVED THE TRAILHEAD (updates in blue below) *** This hike is located in the East of the Phoenix area, in the Superstition Mountains State Park. From the Phoenix area, take US-60 East and turn North onto HWY-88 (the Idaho Road Exit). From Apache Junction, drive about five miles to the Lost Dutchman State Park (on your right) and follow the signs to the Siphon Draw trailhead. You'll have to pay a few bucks to enter the Lost Dutchman State Park. Be Aware of: Steep climb with some scrambling. Not a well marked trail in places. This is a strenuous hike. You don't climb 2000 + feet without breathing heavy! 30 yr old Recommendation: Steep climb to great views just outside of the Phoenix area. Great close to home hike! Leave the young kids and out of shape at home. Elevation change: about 2400 ft ascent to the Flat Iron
[elevation change from the top of Flat Iron to the trailhead] Distance: 2.5 miles one way (used to be 2 miles one way but they moved the trailhead) Time: It usually takes us four hours with a 30 minute stop at the top for views and lunch. Time of year: Fall, Winter or Spring. Only hike very early in the morning in the Summer months. Solitude: This is a somewhat popular hike, though not many continue all the way to the top. Expect to see 20-30 other people on a weekend with a handful at the top. Although most hiking books will call this hike Siphon Draw, most locals know this hike as Flat Iron. The name comes from the ultimate destination of this hike, which resembles an upside down iron. There's two great things about this hike:
The hike is a constant up, which makes it challenging. The trail is well defined for the first mile. About half way up, you reach a smooth rock face where a waterfall runs after seasonal rains. After this point, the trail starts to fade into a series of white paint dots and steep climbing. Your best bet is to stick in the wash that the white paint dots mark. Usually short cuts turn out to be dead ends. Once at the top, you can look out onto the vastness of the East Valley, or turn around and contemplate the vast Superstition Mountains. This hike is particularly interesting just after a rain. The colors of the desert show themselves for a few wonderful days. If you still have some energy, you can continue going up to the top of North Peak from here. The highest point nearby you can see is North Peak. There is a scramble route up to the top of this peak, along with some fairly old graffiti (from 1922!). The real reason to climb the peak is awesome 360 views of the area. To get to North Peak, take the well defined trail towards the peak and keep your eye out for a faint trail that meanders up the top of the peak. Some scrambling and route finding is required here. Cairns are present, but sporadic. If you decide to take this option, count on adding another 1.5 hours and 250 ft of elevation to your hike. Whether you climbed to the top of North Peak or to the top of the Flat Iron, return the way you came to finish the hike.
[Picture of the flat iron from early in the hike]
[the town of Apache Junction as seen from the Flat Iron trail]
[The basin]
[A cold Yucca at the top]
[North Peak as seen from the Flat Iron]
[Views from the top of North Peak]
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