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| Hiking | 3.50 Miles |
555 AEG |
| | Hiking | 3.50 Miles | 4 Hrs | | 0.95 mph |
| 555 ft AEG | 20 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | I finally made it up Siphon Draw!
No, not all the way up - what do you think I am, one of you in-shape locals?! 
Our pasty Midwestern butts got, I'd guess, about two-thirds of the way to the basin, turning around just as the climb became truly challenging. Far enough to get a good sense of how the incredible formations of the Superstition front range close in around you and the Flatiron looms above as you ascend. (For those familiar with the trail, our turnaround point was just past the pair of rocks south of the trail that lean together to create an inviting little cave-like space.)
We'd started by taking Jacobs Crosscut south from the Treasure Loop to Siphon Draw, a welcome warm-up but I was itching to get up close to the mountains. The afternoon was overcast, perfect hiking weather but, sadly, less than ideal for showing off the landforms at their best. I was actually looking for the clandestine Palmer Mine turnoff, thinking we'd do an extended loop that way, but I must have missed it completely, or else it's further up the trail than I expected based on the descriptions. As it was, after descending Siphon Draw we hiked up Prospector's, where I did notice what I guessed to be the other end of the mine trail snaking in from the south. Then down Treasure Loop for a total route of about 3-3.5 miles,the final stretch graced by a typically spectacular Valley sunset and simultaneous moonrise over the Supes behind us. And we were lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a tarantula we narrowly avoided stomping on as it scurried underground!
I always say I will return to a spot, then when I get the rare chance to hike I always want to go somewhere new! But having finally made it to Lost Dutchman, I regret that my eagerness to experience Siphon Draw made us skip the first leg of Treasure Loop that goes past the Praying Hands. (On the way back tiredness and fading light made us take the faster way down, as it always seems to go with us; it was at this point I joked to Sid, "Hey, it's not full dark and we're not lost - we must be getting better at this!") It was such a thrill to get up close to this range I've been admiring from afar (and exploring from other locations) for years, it made me just want more! |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Started from the TH just off of 89. Looks like they have a new trail board with a generic map of the main trails. Not very detailed, but a decent snapshot of trail names…no distances provided. 
Route 
Started from the Saguaro lot down the discovery trail past the campground to the start of Siphon Draw trail where it enters Tonto. The gate was chained up with the signs warning about fines and imprisonment, decided not to cross over and claim to be protesting, did see a couple of people further up Siphon Draw near the Wilderness boundary. There’s a “trail” or at least beaten down vegetation along the fence line which didn’t look exciting but decided to follow to follow this around the park boundary. A couple of short steep entry and exit from washes later reach the treasure loop junction, thought this was the end but noticed a bike path sign so proceeded on it. It continued to follow the fence line to the county line about 3 to 400 feet from the First Water road turnoff at 88. As the path turned back west there was an old concrete foundation about 40 by 90 feet , nice view of the mountain and the gold mines from here. Wandered around a bit seeing only old rusted cans,nails and concrete roof tiles.After leaving this the path crossed by the entrance station to the park and on to the campground. Not inclined to do this again but turned out to be a longer hike than initially expected and can now say I checked out the park boundary!
so it was busy!
