Recently, Tom Kollenborn posted a photo taken back in May 1991. In celebration of Memorial Day, Tom and four of his friends rode their horses up to "The Top of Superstition Mountain" to place a flag in honor of America's Veterans.
It's almost beyond my comprehension to imagine that someone could, or would, ride a horse up there. I had heard stories of this feat, but thought that like most stories about the Superstitions, it was mostly folklore. I'm now a believer.
mnlumberjack wrote:It's almost beyond my comprehension to imagine that someone could, or would, ride a horse up there.
Are you sure they rode them? They might have led them through some stretches. Just because someone is sitting on a horse doesn't mean they rode it.
Anybody can make a hike harder. The real skill comes in making the hike easier.
life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes. Andy Rooney
He mentions that they took the "Summit Trail" up to the top in one of the comments and that there's not much left of it. From the way he talks, it sounds to be something different than the Siphon Draw Trail.
Funny story I read; some rancher was going to check on cows down in Death Hollow, Ut. Those that have been on that trail know it's at times high angle slickrock. It was icy so he dismounted to lead his horse down. He promptly slipped and went down; he held onto the reins and got his horse to back up thus pulling him up. He got back on his horse and rode it on down.
Tough_Boots wrote:He mentions that they took the "Summit Trail" up to the top in one of the comments and that there's not much left of it. From the way he talks, it sounds to be something different than the Siphon Draw Trail.
That's where I am getting confused too. I have limited experience with every method of getting to the top and zero on horseback(Well... we'll go with zero) , but the only route I can imagine is up through Freemont saddle, through the Robber's roost section. I haven't done Massacre falls approach or Heiroglyphics, coming up through Willow Springs at least in present times sounds dumb. I haven't done an entire ridgeline but sections of the 5057 approach even past Carney would be sketchy on Horseback... Helicopter! I see helicopters all the time up there. Usually SARs, but maybe.
The Tree of Understanding, dazzling, straight, and simple, sprouts by the spring called Now I Get It. - Wislawa Szymborska, "Utopia"
@Tough_Boots
The "Summit Trail" would certainly not be the Siphon Draw.
Al_HikesAZ wrote:Are you sure they rode them?
No, I'm not sure they rode them, they could have led them through some of the worse parts. Guess it all depends on the "Summit Trail".
@RedRoxx44
I know them old boots were pretty smooth on the bottom, but to get back on the horse and ride it down....Holy Crap!!
@WilliamnWendi
I like the Helicopter idea best
I have been thinking that the "Summit Trail" is to the West of the Massacre Grounds. There is another waterfall in this area with a cairned trail heading up and it looks like it would be accessible on horseback. Gotta get the guys at the Bluebird Mine Store in a talkative condition one of these days.
On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another Gold Mine. Today the mine was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the next trip.
Route Editor
Route Scout
