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| Superstition Getaway - Day 1, AZ | |
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| | Superstition Getaway - Day 1, AZ | | | |
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Superstition Getaway - Day 1, AZ
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| Hiking | 9.15 Miles |
1,683 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.15 Miles | 4 Hrs 55 Mns | | 2.58 mph |
| 1,683 ft AEG | 1 Hour 22 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| partners | | We wanted to hit the Superstitions before all the good Spring color went away and everything got brown and the days got hot. So we packed just a bit of camp gear headed out for a 2-day getaway.
Parked at First Water Trailhead amongst just a few other vehicles. A cool breeze kept things refreshing. Headed down the Dutchman. Color was everywhere. The first couple of miles of the trail is really verdant right now. Was slow going as I stopped to take photos often, taxing the patience of my ever so impatient hiking partner. Chatted with 3 hikers coming the other way. They'd had encounters with one rattlesnake and two gila monsters. We never saw any of either species.
Decided to take Black Mesa back towards the trailhead and combine it with Second Water to make a nice loop. It is a slog uphill initially going northwest up Black Mesa trail. Weaver's Needle looms large, but it's behind you. If I did this one again I'd go clockwise, but it was still a good loop. After all, we heard numerous canyon wrens serenading us at various places along the loop, and that is never a bad thing.
Garden Valley was extremely green and inviting. Will need to come back and take some of the more eastern loops out of First Water some day.
We planned to overnight at Lost Dutchman State Park. Dropped by to check out our campsite. It was fine but no shade. The afternoon was warm now and the sun was relentless. We headed over to the Bluebird for a cold one. The Bluebird's barefoot entrepreneur regaled us with stories of how patrons steal the coozies he "loans" you when you are chilling on the patio. Mine had "stolen from the Bluebird" hand written on the side. We admired his hand crafted walking sticks with rattlesnake hides and rattles embedded in the stick and then heavily lacquered over. The earrings and necklaces made from rattlesnake vertebrae bones made me wish I were a bit more liberal with my personal style, but no purchase was made. The Bluebird is a unique Superstition experience.
Eased over to the touristy Goldfield Ghost Town and sat on the Saloon's patio with a good view of the Flatiron listening to some good singing from an old cowboy. We ordered wings and a couple of cold ones, no coozie provided this time. The singer quit after 3 songs and packed up. Timing is everything, but the wings help replenish our strength and the shade was much appreciated.
Set up camp and took advantage of the showers at the park. Enjoyed late light on the mountains and took some photos. The kind lady at the entrance gate had recommended Miner's Camp for dinner. She did not steer us wrong. The steaks were fantastic and they even found a decent Argentinian malbec for us. Had to spring for dessert. MJ said the creme brulee was good. But I went with the bread pudding with topped with ice cream. When the pudding arrived it had a crispy strip of bacon wedged into the ice cream. Yep, I said BACON. Sweet and creamy set off by hot and salty. Man it was good.
Returned to camp full and happy. Coyotes serenaded us off and on all night. Pretty good first day of the trip |
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Wildflowers Observation Substantial
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All you have is your fire...
And the place you need to reach |
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