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| Hiking | 5.84 Miles |
3,145 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.84 Miles | 7 Hrs | | 1.37 mph |
| 3,145 ft AEG | 2 Hrs 45 Mns Break | | | |
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| partners | | One More Time.... Siphon Draw to Flariron and on to 5024
Prior to my 75th Birthday last October, I set a goal of ascending to the Flatiron, one more time. My arthritic knees have been getting worse so I knew this was going to be the trip where I would remove the Flatiron from my "bucket" and concentrate on the less strenuous hikes. My initial plan was to do the hike/climb on my birthday, but, as it turned out, it rained most of that day so I kept waiting for the right time and partner to accompany me....just-in-case (and satisfy the demands of my wife). Ray Huston (rayhuston) agreed to be my hiking partner so we set a date for the event.
Ray took a day off from work and we met at the Mining Camp at 0800 with a noticeable chill to the air. We were the only hikers on the trail and the pace was unhurried, but we made good time up to the Slickrock Basin, where I removed a layer before continuing on. We solved many of the worlds problems on the trail that morning and slowly we met and overcame each of the obstacles that the mountain had so carefully placed to protect itself from the intrusion of humankind. There are several small white "dots" along the way and occasionally the dots were interconnected to form a larger arrow (sure wish this idiot would stick that marker someplace where it would do more good). There is also, a new rockslide entering the trail from the right that has been interpreted (incorrectly) as the trail and hikers are beginning to assume this is the way to the top 
We finally arrived at the "Wall" and, of coarse, we had to check it out to see which side would be the best to climb and the tree side won out again. With the last obstacle behind us, we headed to the Flatiron for a needed pause/snack and I phoned my wife to assure her that I had made it safely to the Flatiron and now I was contemplating my first shot at the summit, 5024.
We began working our way to the Hoodoo's as hikers began filtering up and over the ridge at the saddle, but, following Ray's lead, we successfully worked our way through the maze of amazing rock formations until we broke out onto 5024  and the awesome 360 degree views that spread out before us... and we were still all alone.
As we worked our way back through the Hoodoos we now were meeting more and more groups of hikers determined to find the hidden trails leading them to the summit. Then it was on to the descent... My knees were feeling pretty good up until now but the impact of the downclimb was soon evident, but thanks to Advil, and the occasional break, manageable  We even met an older gentleman (who said that?) of 77 years and doing this for the last 10 years.... hang in there guy 
We finished off our day's workout by stopping at the Bluebird for Burgers, Fries and a cold beer. Thanks Ray, your patience was greatly appreciated and this makes a perfect (belated) 75th Birthday wish-come-true
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Some flowers are beginning to show their colorful blossoms. |
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Siphon Draw Waterfall |
Pools to trickle |
Pools to trickle |
| | | A pool exists at the bottom of the waterfall and only a small trickle leading down the wash. | | _____________________
| 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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