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| Hiking | 11.65 Miles |
3,086 AEG |
| | Hiking | 11.65 Miles | 8 Hrs 33 Mns | | 1.55 mph |
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| 3,086 ft AEG | 1 Hour 3 Mns Break | | |
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| no linked trail guides |
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| no partners | | The inspiration for this hike was a chance meeting with Joe and The Eagle on the Superstition mountain ridge line a little under five years ago. They were on their "Nightmare in the Superstitions Revisited" hike. I was so impressed with their hike that I've been aching to do some variation of it ever since. As the saying goes, be careful what you wish for.
I followed Kanode's route along Dutchman, leaving Dutchman at Parker Pass on the use trail that takes you towards Tim's saddle. When I reached O'Grady canyon, I hung a right and started heading uphill towards Old West Boulder ridge.
The ascent up Old West Boulder Canyon ridge is a bugger, big time. Throw in a scree field near the top when your legs are tired, it becomes treacherous. The views along the way are absolutely amazing. The terrain is big and imposing. If you like a challenge, this will test your skills. I am glad I did it, but fairly certain I won't do it again.
When I reached the ridge line, I planned to follow the Nightmare route the rest of the way. I headed towards the Flatiron, but I was running late on time (I didn't start the hike until 9:15  ). Where the trail bends west towards Monument canyon, I turned right and headed up the hill towards the hoodoos where I would drop down to Massacre Falls along a fairly well defined route and then on to the Massacre Falls trail.
The Massacre Falls trail was uneventful. At the Superstitions Wilderness fence I turned right towards the First Water trailhead. The last two miles as the sun was setting was really cool.
My version is not quite a "Nightmare," but it is a tough loop. I can't imagine hiking another 4.5 miles and 2000 feet of AEG. As it was, I was glad when this one was over.  |
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