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| Hiking | 4.00 Miles |
500 AEG |
| | Hiking | 4.00 Miles | 3 Hrs | | 1.33 mph |
| 500 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I lived in Apache Junction several years ago, drawn to it by the allure of the nearby wilderness. While living there the Superstitions became my weekend home. The Goldfields, however, were left completely neglected. Now that I've returned to Arizona after living in the midwest for a while it was time to give the Goldfields their due. The Mask seemed like a decent introduction into this overlooked wilderness.
Departing from the trailhead at the end of Idaho Road I headed west making sure not to cross onto private property. Then it was down into the wash, which offers wonderful solitude and shade, but the high granite walls will hinder the view. At times I would climb out of the wash and work my way across the relatively open desert just to see what I'd discover. Glad I did, as birds of many varieties were out this morning.
When you get near Bulldog Canyon the power lines will come into view and then a large fenced off area with a stock tank will appear on your left. You might find ATVers in this area as they were definitely out there today.
Cross over the jeep road and continue down the wash. It gets progressively rockier from here until you get to a T-intersection. Hook a right and head up the dry waterfall. There were puddles of stagnant water here and plenty of bees. Be careful! Continue on until the wash opens up a bit, constantly peering up the cliffs to the left. You'll eventually see The Mask and then have to backtrack to find a route up the slope.
The slope isn't too steep, but there is lots of loose rock. Watch your step! You can't see The Mask on the way up. Just remember you're headed for the saddle. Soon it will come into view. It's a small double arch. The right "eye" has a very determined saguaro cactus growing through it.
While taking some photos atop the ridge I inadvertantly scared a group of deer down below. Good thing I did because a little while later, while I was relaxing in the shade created by the arch, I heard some very loud shotgun blasts coming from the behind me. Hopefully those deer were long gone by then. Once the temperature started to warm up I headed back, sticking to the wash and the horse trails the entire time. |
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"I've driven across deserts, driven by the irony, that only being shackled to the road could ever I be free"
- Frank Turner "The Road" |
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