Superstition Peak 5057 Loop via Hiero, AZ :: Question by damacias71

[damacias71]

Anyone camp near the top of 5057?

[chumley]

I'm sure it's been done, but it's definitely not a popular thing! I don't think there's anything suitable right near the peak, and I don't recall anything that would resemble a campsite, but there's a stretch of flat-ish ground below the peak where you might be able to lay down comfortably. I'm thinking the area in this https://hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=248130 (just southeast of the peak). The photo location is marked on the map if you click the pin icon.

[damacias71]

@chumley
Thanks so much for this information! We'll be out there this weekend. Did you use a hand-held GPS out on your hike up there or do you think a cellphone with the RouteScout app will be fine? I've used the Alltrails app online and it served me just fine in the past. Thanks again.

[chumley]

@damacias71 Route Scout works great. I haven't used a handheld gps in a couple of years. But you have to make sure your phone has enough battery life for your trip. I carry an extra charger in case of emergencies.

[syoung]

@damacias71
There is a nice spot where you come up from the southern side of the ridgeline and reach a saddle with a head on view of Weaver's. My last ridgeline trip there was a firepit built there. I wish I could provide more specifics to this location but you'll know it when you pass through it and you have to pass through it to get to 5057 from Heiro.

[KBKB]

@damacias71

Did you use a hand-held GPS out on your hike up there or do you think a cellphone with the RouteScout app will be fine?

I did the Superstition Peak 5057 - Balanced Rock Loop earlier this year. For most of it, I found my way using the route (from this site) that I had loaded onto my Suunto GPS watch. There were a few spots where I pulled out my cellphone and checked the route using the BackCountry Navigator app. (I haven't used RouteScout yet.)

I don't trust my phone's battery life to rely on it for navigating a hike that takes the better part of a day. When I did the hike noted above, the battery died within the last few miles of the hike. From a battery life perspective, I think it's better to use some sort of dedicated GPS device.

[damacias71]

@chumley
Yes I will be carrying one of those portable power banks with me that I've used in the past. I was really just wondering if some one has used their phone GPS in these mountains and lost GPS signal. I can't imagine my cellphone GPS being as accurate or reliable as a handheld GPS. Thanks again!

[The_Eagle]

@damacias71
Unless you are using a flip phone your smartphones GPS should work great for activities anywhere you can obtain a signal. Plus the maps are much easier to see on the larger and brighter screen. If you are worried, carry both. But if you can get a signal w/ your GPS, you can get one with Route Scout.

[damacias71]

@syoung
I believe you are referring to Freemont Saddle? I have been there many times. In fact, we finally decided that until we know the ridgeline a little better, we are just gonna camp around that area of the Superstition Mountains, off Peralta Trail, that my wife and I are familiar with. This will give me time to experiment with the RouteScout app. If for whatever reason I have trouble with it, I still know my way around. Thanks for all your help everyone. This is such a great community!

[damacias71]

@The_Eagle
Haha! No I'm not using one of those old flip phones! I've used Alltrails a few times last month on my phone with success. I only recently discovered the RouteScout app and am barely learning how to import GPS maps and navagate the Hike Arizona website. These are exciting times for me!

[cactuscat]

RouteScout works great, and your cellphone has more computing power than the NASA computers that put men on the moon, so I wouldn't worry! ;)