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| Hiking | 2.50 Miles |
700 AEG |
| | Hiking | 2.50 Miles | | | |
| 700 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I have explored this area in the past – Devil's Canyon, Oak Flat, Queen Creek Canyon, but I have never been up to the cliffs before.
I decided to head out and make it out to the edge. I parked along the Magma Mine Road at the pullout and hiked up the road 200-300 yards to the drainage and started up. I had Preston’s “official” route loaded.
The hike up was really amazing. The rocks, trees, yucca, etc were really beautiful. The hike follows the drainage almost all the way up to the cliffs. I stayed in or near the drainage most of the time, but would take bypasses when the drainage became too choked.
After about ¾ mile you reach a well/shaft from the mine. The route I had loaded gave a “few” options, but I saw the cliffs to the right and opted for that path. There was a cairned trail going up off the road and it took my right up to the base of the amazing rock formations along the canyon.
Once you clear this area, I kept to the north of the drainage for the most part. When I got near the saddle, I contemplated going north to get to the edge of the cliff that looks down on the 60 and the tunnel, but I decided to just keep heading for the saddle.
The views did not disappoint. I have been admiring this area for quite some time and it was so wonderful to make it up there. I went north a little and then back to the saddle and then attempted to go south. The area on the cliffs is really choked with hackberry, manzanita, yucca and other pointy flora. My goal was to get over the little peak and take a look and asset if I want to go all the way to the “Official Apache Leap”, but after about 15 minutes of moving hardly anywhere, I did a cost benefit analysis and decided to head back to the saddle. I will make that visit another hike for sure.
The weather was cloudy and chilly at the start. With the rains the past few days, I came across a few pools in the drainage area near the road, but none after that. I did get totally soaked as every little shrub I hiked through gave me a little morning dew and some water droplets, and many gave me some thorns as well. I think it was the bare hackberry bushes, but there was some totally nasty business in parts of this hike. My pants and jacket (then shirt) were ripped up.
I knew this would be a bushwhack, so I expected that. I also knew this would be an awesome hike. The rock formations along the way were an added bonus. I could spend hours just exploring that. The cliffs were the payoff in the end. Great views of Superior, Picketpost, the Supes and of course, spectacular spires.
I went back about the same way I came in. A great day out there. I am wondering what will be the future of this place and the surrounding area??? |
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"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."
instagram: @andydilling |
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