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| Hiking | 6.58 Miles |
337 AEG |
| | Hiking | 6.58 Miles | 5 Hrs 23 Mns | | 1.50 mph |
| 337 ft AEG | 1 Hour Break | | | |
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| no partners | | A friend and neighbor of mine in our retirement park, asked me if I would take his two visiting cousins on a hike in the Superstition Mountains while they were down here. I really don't need much of an excuse to go hiking the Superstitions so I obliged.
We met up this morning and drove out to the large parking lot by First Water TH and in the cool pre-dawn slipped into our gear. It was around 0730 as we climbed over the guard rails and hit the trails taking the back way to First Water Creek. It was a bit chilly at first but the visiting gals were from Montana and said it "feels just perfect" so it was on-we-go and warm up on the way 
This was their first trip to the Valley of the Sun and they were so impressed with the unique features of the desert, its plants and especially the mountains. I enjoy taking this short-cut to First Water Creek because it takes you past the beautiful lichen covered hills surrounding the old ranch corral a short distance away.
We rounded the corner on First Water just as the sun was breaking over the hills igniting the canyon with its golden glow. The quiet pools of clear water were reflecting the hills on both sides of the canyon as we passed through towards the boulders at the other end. We made it through the narrow gorge and finally entered the oasis area of green grass, Palo Verde & Mesquite fully covered with green leaves. The sharp leaves of the Holly plant reach out to grab your clothing as you pass and the blood thirsty Catsclaw tries to extract its dues from your bare flesh.
We had the area all to ourselves as there wasn't another hiker to be seen or heard so we casually checked out the Hackberry Spring which was dripping out of the pipe and a lone frog jumped into the pool as we approached. We continued on down through the myriad of camping areas alongside the creek until we began our ascent uphill leaving the oasis behind and entering the desert.
It was almost an example of poor planning (or maybe good planning)....for as we first set foot in the lush Garden Valley area, here, coming towards us was a group of 13 noisy hikers heading towards Hackberry Spring. Most hikers begin this loop from First Water Trailhead so I prefer to begin my loop from the horse lot and meet the groups rather than follow them 
I showed the Montana Gals the small creosote lined alcove where the Salado Indians, centuries ago, must have cured their pottery, the metate's bored deep into the smooth rock surface where the women ground beans from the Palo Verde trees into a flour for making flat bread and some scattered pottery sherds from another time. We had a lunch break on a large flat rock that overlooks the valley below, the old corral now abandoned along First Water Creek and high above us is the natural arch. Ancient history and modern history all within eyesight from the same spot.
With snack time over, it's pack up the leftovers, remove any trash and begin the hike to First Water TH. Along the way we stopped briefly at the location of the Barkley's ranch house, survey the surroundings and wonder why the old landmark buildings had to be torn down. Once at the TH I talked with Dean the FS Volunteer on duty and he told me that again the parking lot had filled to capacity and cars were sent to the horse trailer lot overflow.
Even though we are experiencing a shortage of rain the plants are growing profusely, the grass is turning green and the bright yellow Brittlebush flowers are beginning to pop up....could be a significant wildflower season yet  Great day for hiking and great company to boot |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Early signs of Brittlebush flowers are showing |
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| 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. |
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