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| Hiking | 8.63 Miles |
2,233 AEG |
| | Hiking | 8.63 Miles | 6 Hrs 1 Min | | 1.91 mph |
| 2,233 ft AEG | 1 Hour 30 Mns Break | 15 LBS Pack | | |
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| no partners | | First time out into the Superstition Wilderness and first time on Peralta Trail. Wanted to finally check it out and conquer my fear and anxiety. Not fear or anxiety of the trails and Superstitions but of parking at the trailhead and coming back to vehicle plundered by AJ tweakers. Set out early and arrived at trailhead right before sunrise to minimize crowds as I know this is a heavily trafficked trail. As soon as I parked 5 vehicles arrived right behind me bringing a 7 person hiking group. Let them start ahead and spend a few minutes letting my brain get zapped by the beauty of my surroundings.
Within the first mile I had totally let go of thoughts of my lone and vulnerable jeep. Just thoroughly enjoying the steady climb in addition to the sunrise casting amazing colors on the rhyolite. This trail is a geologic wonderland and I'm glad I read through Lucchitta's Hiking Arizona Geology before heading out (great book!). Made it Fremont Saddle and finally got to behold Weaver's Needle and East Boulder Canyon. Relaxed on this perfect seat of a boulder overlooking it all and ate a quick breakfast. Saw the earlier large group hiking through to what seemed like the start of the cave trail.
Decided to keep on trekking as it was still very early. Hike out along the trail until Piper Spring then decided to turn around. Was wanting to continue until the junction but was feeling a little funky with sore knee and made the call to turn around before stubbornness made me really regret it. Gotta love these hike with saddles at the mid-point as you get the elevation gain going both ways!
Returning to Fremont Saddle for another scenic break things started to change as late morning crowds started to arrive. Wonderful encounters of people smoking weed on boulders, a couple young ladies etching their names into rock face, passing about 20 hikers coming in and spotted only 5 carrying water. I guess this is a drawback of proximity to Phoenix area is that people treat Superstitions like a city park. It was pretty dang warm that day and was surprised by how few people carried water.
Despite the late arriving crowds I will return and check out more trails here. Good day, beautiful sights, and overall good experience. |
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