1st time hike - Superstitions

[burntlizard]

I'm looking for an opportunity to do some hiking in the Superstitions. Being that I've never hiked this area, would anyone be interested in meeting up on a Sunday and showing me this area? I'm looking for perhaps a 4-8 mile hike, starting in the A.M. I've been doing a lot of hiking around the Lake Pleasant /Hells Canyon area, I consider myself to be of a moderate experience level.

Thank you,

Lance

[RickVincent]

I can do Sunday if you don't mind getting up early. How about a 6am meet at the first parking lot off of First Water Road? We can hop in one vehicle for the bumpy ride down First Water Road, then do my version of a Hackberry Loop (5 miles).

[DBmooner]

I was going to go to the Flate Iorn on sunday morning around 7 am its a pretty steep trail but it is well worth the hard work . The roads are paved out there but it coast $7 a car if we go throught lost dutchman park it is free if we come in on jacabs cross cut but it adds 2 miles to the hike. There is a chance of rain on sunday but i will be going rain or shine

[outdoor_lover]

I too, would like to do some more in the Supes. Last weekend was my first hike there and I loved it. Don't think I'm quite ready for Flat Iron but might be interested in Rick's version of the Hackberry Loop, just as long as it's a hike and not a "run", lol! I have a very "rare" Sunday off this weekend....

[burntlizard]

Thank you for the reply's. Unfortunately, I am doing another hike this Sunday, I was just trying to get an assessment of who might be available in the future, I'll look forward to the offers though. I'll PM and see how next week looks.

Lance

[JimmyLyding]

My brother and I will be hiking in the Superstitions on the Tuesday of Thanksgiving week. I'll post something in the events forum when we figure out what we're doing.

If you're looking to go on some hikes in the Supes your best bet is to keep an eye on the Events forum: viewforum.php?f=4 You will assuredly see hiking events in the Supes over the next few months.

[RickVincent]

I was going to go to the Flate Iorn on sunday morning around 7 am its a pretty steep trail but it is well worth the hard work . The roads are paved out there but it coast $7 a car if we go throught lost dutchman park it is free if we come in on jacabs cross cut but it adds 2 miles to the hike. There is a chance of rain on sunday but i will be going rain or shine

Free access from the new trailhead at the Mining Camp restaurant. And, it cuts about 1/2 mile off the bottom of the hike. Check out the map link.

[RickVincent]

I was going to go to the Flate Iorn on sunday morning around 7 am its a pretty steep trail but it is well worth the hard work . The roads are paved out there but it coast $7 a car if we go throught lost dutchman park it is free if we come in on jacabs cross cut but it adds 2 miles to the hike. There is a chance of rain on sunday but i will be going rain or shine

Can I squeeze another 1/2 hour out of ya and meet up at 6:30am. I'm good for a run up Flatiron.

[DBmooner]

Cool thank you Rick for leting me know about the free parking. I can be there at 6:30, do you just want to meet at the parking lot?

[RickVincent]

Mining Camp parking lot at 6:30am will be great. There is just enough light by about 6:35 that you won't need to use a flashlight or headlamp.

[DBmooner]

cool i will see you there im usally an early person so i will be there early, i will be the really tall guy driving a white pickup

[RickVincent]

Gotcha. I'll be in a white van or navy blue tahoe.

[PatrickL]

Thinking about heading to the Superstitions next week. Can anyone recommend a nice dayhike? So far, I'm considering First Water to Canyon Lake and back, Peralta - East Boulder - Terrapin - Miners Canyon loop, or possibly a La Barge loop. Given the stats, I feel that's along my difficulty level. I'll have a full day and want to take advantage of it.

No need to mention Flatiron as I plan to do that the following day regardless of when I go.

[WilliamnWendi]

La Barge loop. Given the stats, I feel that's along my difficulty level

First of all I am shocked that you have managed to stay out of the Supes (with the possible exception of the "Upper Dwellings") for a local hiker with 134 triplogs under his belt. I am impressed! The La Barge Box is a "Must See" I would recommend something that was recommended to me (after the fact) to hike that loop counter clockwise, so that you coming down the Labarge (or heading north). The catclaw was vicious when we hiked it a couple weeks ago, slowed us way down (we hiked it going up!). The Boulder Canyon is an easy hike in any direction.

[trekkin_gecko]

hey patrick
last february i hiked from first water TH to canyon lake TH, had lunch at the marina and hiked back
it's about 15 miles and gives you a nice intro to second water and boulder canyon trails
it was fun and not that difficult
you can't go wrong with any of your choices
i'll look forward to your triplogs

[Trishness]

I love the FW-->Canyon Lake and back hike...gives you lots of miles and some moderate elevation gain with great views and lots to see "on the side". Weavers needle loop is pretty awesome too Bluff Spring Trail-->Terrapin-->Dutchman and then Peralta back out...about 13.5 miles I think.

So many loop hikes and so many options. A lot depends on how many miles you want to do in one day.

Trish

[nonot]

A shorter popular loop for first timers is second water - black mesa, dutchman, from first water TH. 9 miles I think - but seems shorter - possibly too short for a full-day hike. If you add to that going up to black top mesa via bull pass to the cavalry-dutchman intersection and south in the loop around black top you will see alot!

http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=11
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=170

Here's a GPS track where I did Red Hills rather than the Dutchman loop back to the south once I hit cavalry:
http://hikearizona.com/map.php?GPS=8899

[WilliamnWendi]

ast february i hiked from first water TH to canyon lake TH, had lunch at the marina and hiked back

What a great idea! Wendi and I never seem to finish our hikes in time to eat here, but if it is our lunch break...hmmm.

[RickVincent]

I'm not a fan of navigating catclaw....I prefer the LaBarge Box "catclaw and bushwhacking bypass route" via First Water TH. Take Second Water Trail all the way to Boulder Creek. Turn right (South) down Boulder Creek. At about one mile from your turn there is a prominant cairn leading up to the saddle on your left that takes you to Battleship Mountain. Follow this lightly traveled but well-cairned trail up to the saddle and down into LaBarge Creek. Just a few more steps and your in the Box. Return the same way, or bushwhack through LaBarge Creek on the way back, if you like that sort of thing. Also, if you want to mix up the scenery on the return take a right in Garden Valley and follow the Garden Valley/Hackberry Loop back to First Water. This can be a 4 to 10 hour trek depending on your pace.

[PatrickL]

Thanks for the input, everyone. Right now I'm leaning towards the Weaver's Loop. Should be awesome to see the needle from every angle!