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The Gatekeeper - 2 members in 57 triplogs have rated this an average 3.5 ( 1 to 5 best )
1, 2, 3  Next
57 triplogs
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Feb 28 2023
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 Guides 59
 Routes 1,100
 Photos 1,191
 Triplogs 1,290

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Superstition Peak 4648Phoenix, AZ
Superstition Peak 4648
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 28 2023
pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290
Hiking8.65 Miles 3,617 AEG
Hiking8.65 Miles
3,617 ft AEG
 
1st trip
Linked   10 linked trail guides
Siphon Draw Trail #53
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
Superstition Ridgeline
Superstition Peak 5024 - Siphon Draw
Peak 3845 - Superstition Mountains
The Gatekeeper
Jacob's Trail #58
Prospectors Trail #57 - Superstition Mountains
Treasure Loop Trail #56
Lost Dutchman State Park Loop
Partners none no partners
RouteScout crashed and dumped all my routes today, so the included route for this hike is not an actual track, but one I created in a map editor. Also kind of lame and sad that Peak 3845' had a summit jar essentially full of garbage. Scouted several areas searching for existing and possible climbing routes. Most definitely some with potential if one enjoys big approaches. :)
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Fixed hardware
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  The Flatiron
  14 archives
Jan 25 2023
avatar

 Routes 596
 Photos 9,604
 Triplogs 2,400

58 male
 Joined Jan 30 2011
 Chandler, AZ
Flatiron Hike - SuperstitionsPhoenix, AZ
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
Phoenix, AZ
 Hiking avatar Jan 25 2023
JuanJaimeiii • Triplogs 2,400
 Hiking6.50 Miles 3,208 AEG
 Hiking6.50 Miles   3 Hrs   29 Mns   1.87 mph
3,208 ft AEG
 
Linked   linked  
Superstition Peak 5024 - Siphon Draw
The Gatekeeper
Partners none no partners
Starting out the new year without a trip up to the Flatiron just wouldn't be right. To my surprise there was a snow dusting from Siphon Draw all the way to the top. That made a great hike even better. After the Flatiron I went up to 5024 and then on the way out I hit the Gatekeeper as a tribute to syoung. Awesome day in the Supes!
_____________________
 
Nov 26 2021
avatar

 Routes 596
 Photos 9,604
 Triplogs 2,400

58 male
 Joined Jan 30 2011
 Chandler, AZ
Flatiron Hike - SuperstitionsPhoenix, AZ
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
Phoenix, AZ
 Hiking avatar Nov 26 2021
JuanJaimeiii • Triplogs 2,400
 Hiking6.50 Miles 3,019 AEG
 Hiking6.50 Miles   3 Hrs   25 Mns   1.98 mph
3,019 ft AEG      8 Mns Break
 
Linked   linked  
Superstition Peak 5024 - Siphon Draw
The Gatekeeper
Partners none no partners
Looks like I picked the wrong day to hike the Flatiron. Probably the most people I’ve ever seen here. Stop go, stop go, stop go, was the theme of the day. I caught the Gatekeeper on the way down in honor of SYoung.
_____________________
 
May 17 2019
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 Routes 596
 Photos 9,604
 Triplogs 2,400

58 male
 Joined Jan 30 2011
 Chandler, AZ
Flatiron Hike - SuperstitionsPhoenix, AZ
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
Phoenix, AZ
 Hiking avatar May 17 2019
JuanJaimeiii • Triplogs 2,400
 Hiking6.50 Miles 3,019 AEG
 Hiking6.50 Miles   3 Hrs   17 Mns   2.17 mph
3,019 ft AEG      17 Mns Break
 
Linked   linked  
Superstition Peak 5024 - Siphon Draw
The Gatekeeper
Partners none no partners
I didn’t start hiking this one today until almost a quarter till noon. Unbelievable weather for the middle of May. I caught the gate keeper on the way down. Trifecta!
_____________________
 
Jan 04 2019
avatar

 Routes 596
 Photos 9,604
 Triplogs 2,400

58 male
 Joined Jan 30 2011
 Chandler, AZ
Flatiron Hike - SuperstitionsPhoenix, AZ
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
Phoenix, AZ
 Hiking avatar Jan 04 2019
JuanJaimeiii • Triplogs 2,400
 Hiking6.50 Miles 3,200 AEG
 Hiking6.50 Miles   3 Hrs   12 Mns   2.03 mph
3,200 ft AEG
 
Linked   linked  
Superstition Peak 5024 - Siphon Draw
The Gatekeeper
Partners none no partners
I finally got to my first hike of the year. Been battling the flu bug off and on for quite awhile. Hopefully it is in the rear view mirror now. Still a decent amount of snow up high and the ice made things a slow go. Luckily I stayed upright the whole time. After Flatiron I hit 5024 and enjoyed the views for a brief moment then carefully made my way down. I was surprised how many people were out there today. As I was exiting I hit the Gatekeeper in Memory of Samuel Young. After all he was the one who gave it it's name.

Cheers to 2019!
_____________________
 
Nov 25 2018
avatar

 Guides 1
 Routes 14
 Photos 7,202
 Triplogs 5,208

68 male
 Joined Mar 16 2008
 chandler,az
Flatiron Hike - SuperstitionsPhoenix, AZ
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
Phoenix, AZ
 Hiking avatar Nov 25 2018
johnlp • Triplogs 5,208
 Hiking6.00 Miles 2,930 AEG
 Hiking6.00 Miles
2,930 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Superstition Peak 5024 - Siphon Draw
The Gatekeeper
Partners partners
JuanJaimeiii
Chilly windy hike up to the Flat Iron. Perfect conditions on the descent. Busy with hikers but not crowded. We stopped by and climbed the gate keeper on the way down in remembrance of Sam. Great hike. Thanks JJ. :)
_____________________
“Good people drink good beer.” Hunter S Thompson
 
Nov 25 2018
avatar

 Routes 596
 Photos 9,604
 Triplogs 2,400

58 male
 Joined Jan 30 2011
 Chandler, AZ
Flatiron Hike - SuperstitionsPhoenix, AZ
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
Phoenix, AZ
 Hiking avatar Nov 25 2018
JuanJaimeiii • Triplogs 2,400
 Hiking6.50 Miles 3,180 AEG
 Hiking6.50 Miles   3 Hrs   26 Mns   1.89 mph
3,180 ft AEG
 
Linked   linked  
Superstition Peak 5024 - Siphon Draw
The Gatekeeper
Partners partners
johnlp
Had a great hike with JohnLP up to the Flatiron and then I headed over to 5024. On the way down we caught the Gatekeeper. His first time up there. Cold and chilly on the Flatiron. Lots of wind.
_____________________
 
May 20 2018
avatar

 Routes 596
 Photos 9,604
 Triplogs 2,400

58 male
 Joined Jan 30 2011
 Chandler, AZ
Flatiron Hike - SuperstitionsPhoenix, AZ
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
Phoenix, AZ
 Hiking avatar May 20 2018
JuanJaimeiii • Triplogs 2,400
 Hiking6.60 Miles 3,100 AEG
 Hiking6.60 Miles   2 Hrs   59 Mns   2.21 mph
3,100 ft AEG
 
Linked   linked  
Superstition Peak 5024 - Siphon Draw
The Gatekeeper
Partners none no partners
I did this one today as s tribute to Syoung (Sam) who is no longer with us. A month ago he decided that his time here on earth was over. On todays hike I thought of him and the various hikes we did together. The first one was with Joe and myself. The three of us did Weavers Needle. I would later do other hikes with him and then ultimately he and I did Kilimanjaro in Africa last year. I always enjoyed Sam and admired his ability to speed up and down the Flatiron with ease. At one point I showed him that you could climb the pointy rock at the base of the Flatiron. He later named it the "Gatekeeper" and wrote a description on HikeArizona for it. He did that one numerous times in the last couple years. Of course for most of us when we think of Sam we think of the Flatiron. It was clearly the hike he did the most. Today I did the Flatiron and the Gatekeeper in Sam's honor.
Rest in peace my friend...
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  The Gatekeeper
_____________________
  7 archives
Mar 03 2018
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 23
 Photos 1,125
 Triplogs 593

46 male
 Joined May 23 2012
 Mesa, AZ
Peak 3845 - Superstition MountainsPhoenix, AZ
Peak 3845 - Superstition Mountains
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 03 2018
syoung • Triplogs 593
Hiking8.67 Miles 3,288 AEG
Hiking8.67 Miles
3,288 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
The Gatekeeper
Partners none no partners
Saw this new description and figured I'd give it a go today. I was interested if it was the place I ended up with a friend back when I started hiking. She knew the way to Flatiron, as the story goes, and I was blind apparently, thus we ending up here. We were able to finally reach Flatiron a day or two later. While the location we ended up in was not this peak, I was able to stumble upon that locale and even found the rock I managed to wedge into the wall to commemorate the experience..

This is a nice little side excursion that offers up a unique vantage of Flatiron. I Definitely recommend checking it out.
_____________________
 
Dec 16 2017
avatar

 Photos 71
 Triplogs 3

56 male
 Joined Apr 17 2015
 Goodyear, AZ
The GatekeeperPhoenix, AZ
The Gatekeeper
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 16 2017
aviedelson • Triplogs 3
Hiking2.70 Miles 733 AEG
Hiking2.70 Miles
733 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
My boys and I have been up here several times but we always walk right past this formation. So we decided to do it last time on the way up.
Our approach was probably incorrect just doing a right turn off the Siphon Draw trail as it began to feel like we were passing it completely. Some slight bushwhacking and boulder hopping and we found ourselves at the slickrock base. We just went up from there following the easiest line. Much of it was just a sticky shoe walkup. A crack provides handholds in a slightly clockwise line until curling around to the west face. From there, a quick jog up a spine to the top.
Very tight up there with the kid and me so he went to the very peak and left me on the ledge below.
The rock is brittle - almost Papago-like. I can see it would be easy to have a bad day here without care.
Surprisingly doable though. A good precursor to the upward torture of Flatiron.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Route - finding Labels
_____________________
 
Sep 09 2017
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 23
 Photos 1,125
 Triplogs 593

46 male
 Joined May 23 2012
 Mesa, AZ
Flatiron Hike - SuperstitionsPhoenix, AZ
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 09 2017
syoung • Triplogs 593
Hiking9.14 Miles 4,177 AEG
Hiking9.14 Miles   3 Hrs   40 Mns   2.49 mph
4,177 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
Superstition Peak 5024 - Siphon Draw
The Gatekeeper
Partners none no partners
#399

The portions of the trail that were washed away a month or so ago, inside Lost Dutchman, have been repaired. They put up a stone barrier to where people thought the trail was.
_____________________
 
May 09 2017
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 23
 Photos 1,125
 Triplogs 593

46 male
 Joined May 23 2012
 Mesa, AZ
Picketpost and Flatiron, AZ 
Picketpost and Flatiron, AZ
 
Hiking avatar May 09 2017
syoung • Triplogs 593
Hiking12.03 Miles 5,066 AEG
Hiking12.03 Miles   4 Hrs   21 Mns   2.77 mph
5,066 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Picketpost Mountain Summit
Siphon Draw Trail #53
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
The Gatekeeper
Partners none no partners
Interesting tidbits:

Picketpost time - 1:59
Flatiron time - 2:22
Left Picketpost summit at 10:12AM and on top of Flatiron at 1:08PM :scared:

I have been meaning to do this combo for quite some time. Needing some me time today I decided to tackle it. I knew that I had to drive out to Picketpost first otherwise the temptation to just go home after Flatiron would be too much. Superstition was quite alluring this morning, however, with the cloud cover that lingered across the ridgeline.

Arriving at the trailhead I was the only car there besides a FS truck. I started up and much like is always the case for me, I blazed a path from the slick rock area to the top. This time, however, I went up a brand new area for me. When you reach the top of the slick rock there is a drainage to the right. I started up that and wow, it turned into an adventure. Lots of climbing, lots of exposure at times, and lots of cliffs. It was fun but really slowed me down.

I hustled back down the mountain, stopping a few times to look at some interesting rocks.

I made it to Lost Dutchman and was shocked that the parking lot for Siphon Draw was nearly full. I figured I wouldn't run into many people on a weekday. I counted around 55 people before I lost count on the way up. Up top I talked to a few friendly faces and then made my way back down.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Benchmark
_____________________
  1 archive
Apr 29 2017
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 23
 Photos 1,125
 Triplogs 593

46 male
 Joined May 23 2012
 Mesa, AZ
Superstition Peak 5057 from Lost DutchmanPhoenix, AZ
Superstition Peak 5057 from Lost Dutchman
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 29 2017
syoung • Triplogs 593
Hiking17.01 Miles 5,807 AEG
Hiking17.01 Miles   6 Hrs   56 Mns   2.68 mph
5,807 ft AEG      35 Mns Break24 LBS Pack
 
Linked   linked  
Siphon Draw Trail #53
The Gatekeeper
Superstition Ridgeline
Superstition Peak 5057
Partners none no partners
Today seemed like the perfect time to check this one off of the list; and probably the last day I'd have the weather on my side to do it before Kilimanjaro. I started up around 7ish in the morning. Ran into a few familiar faces on the way up.

Reaching the second saddle I had a bit of difficulty locating the actual trail. Everything is so overgrown that it makes it hard to see. I started cruising once I found the trail and made it to 5057 in a little over 3 hours. I hung out on top of 5057 for a few minutes then made haste on my way back.

I unfortunately had a run in with a cacti and had to pull up to pull out the spines. It was just superficial damage and away I went as I still had several miles to cover. I reached the point of the ridgeline that I believe is the most photogenic and reach for camera, that was attached to my hip belt... but wasn't there. It had fallen off during the pit stop and now I was faced with the daunting task of retracing my steps to find it. I made my way back through the barren slick rock section about a mile from 5057, trying to retrace my steps. I couldn't find it and decided to turn back and follow the trail as best I could... and about a minute later, there it was. Disaster avoided.

I really need to come up with a better strategy for these high AEG hikes. I cramp up something fierce on these. If I picked my leg up past a certain point it would start to cramp. I drunk 32oz of powerade and a ton of water, 2 packages of gu, and several of the honeycomb thingamabobs. It is something I hope to solve before Kilimanjaro as the summit night is something like 15+ miles and 4k of AEG in the first handful of miles.
 Culture
 Culture [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Benchmark
_____________________
  1 archive
Mar 26 2017
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 23
 Photos 1,125
 Triplogs 593

46 male
 Joined May 23 2012
 Mesa, AZ
Peak 4102 - SuperstitionsPhoenix, AZ
Peak 4102 - Superstitions
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 26 2017
syoung • Triplogs 593
Hiking7.38 Miles 2,749 AEG
Hiking7.38 Miles   2 Hrs   36 Mns   2.84 mph
2,749 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Siphon Draw Trail #53
The Gatekeeper
Superstition Mountain 4175 Spur
Partners none no partners
Tagged the Gatekeeper on the way up and down. I have been meaning to tag these two for a little while now. I have been horribly sick (as sick as I was in Africa a few years prior) this past week. Some sort of URI and I knew that I wouldn't be able to go fast. I wanted to go out into the Superstitions, however, so off trail would force me to go slow.

The slog up the drainage from the saddle is not fun right now. It is very overgrown. The views of Flatiron and the surroundings are pretty incredible though.
_____________________
  2 archives
Jan 14 2017
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 23
 Photos 1,125
 Triplogs 593

46 male
 Joined May 23 2012
 Mesa, AZ
Flatiron Hike - SuperstitionsPhoenix, AZ
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
Phoenix, AZ
 Hiking avatar Jan 14 2017
syoung • Triplogs 593
 Hiking7.06 Miles 3,009 AEG
 Hiking7.06 Miles   2 Hrs   14 Mns   3.16 mph
3,009 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
The Gatekeeper
Partners none no partners
#377

I was going to go exploring but I woke up with a pounding headache. Typically, I'd pop a couple ibuprofen and be on my way. I am curious, however, how I would react to hiking with a headache (for Kili purposes). I made it to the mountain by around 7:15ish. It was a relatively warm morning, yet cloudy. Thankfully the rain stayed at bay with the exception of a few sprinkles.

The early start allowed me to avoid most of the crowds. Upon descending I ran into a friend who was celebrating a milestone birthday and also his 100 ascent of Flatiron!!
_____________________
 
Dec 26 2016
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 23
 Photos 1,125
 Triplogs 593

46 male
 Joined May 23 2012
 Mesa, AZ
Flatiron Hike - SuperstitionsPhoenix, AZ
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
Phoenix, AZ
 Hiking avatar Dec 26 2016
syoung • Triplogs 593
 Hiking7.30 Miles 3,048 AEG
 Hiking7.30 Miles   2 Hrs   55 Mns   2.50 mph
3,048 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
The Gatekeeper
Partners none no partners
#373

Broke in the Fenix 3 HR I received as a gift from the wife. The thing is pretty neat, providing tons of data to pour over.

Trace amounts of snow could be found on the way up. The bulk of the remaining snow is on the backside where the Reverse Flatiron route meets the saddle. It should remain for the next day or so for anyone interested. Super busy on the trail today.

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water less than maxwater less than max Siphon Draw Waterfall Light flow Light flow
Flowing
_____________________
  4 archives
Dec 10 2016
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 23
 Photos 1,125
 Triplogs 593

46 male
 Joined May 23 2012
 Mesa, AZ
Flatiron Hike - SuperstitionsPhoenix, AZ
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Dec 10 2016
syoung • Triplogs 593
Hiking6.80 Miles 3,250 AEG
Hiking6.80 Miles   2 Hrs   13 Mns   3.07 mph
3,250 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
The Gatekeeper
Partners none no partners
Well, as most of you are probably aware now, the Mining Camp has closed their parking lot to hikers. There is a sign up now that says you will be towed if parked there. Anyways, this is the reality now. So I had to come in through LD until I find an alternate location to park. I thought about Jacobs but that adds 2 miles to the hike each way. I come here for an intense burst of exertion, not a lazy stroll like I get on SOMO.
_____________________
  2 archives
Jun 30 2016
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 23
 Photos 1,125
 Triplogs 593

46 male
 Joined May 23 2012
 Mesa, AZ
Siphon Draw Trail #53Phoenix, AZ
Siphon Draw Trail #53
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 30 2016
syoung • Triplogs 593
Hiking4.20 Miles 1,399 AEG
Hiking4.20 Miles
1,399 ft AEG
 
Linked   linked  
The Gatekeeper
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Jun 25 2016
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 23
 Photos 1,125
 Triplogs 593

46 male
 Joined May 23 2012
 Mesa, AZ
Flatiron Hike - SuperstitionsPhoenix, AZ
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 25 2016
syoung • Triplogs 593
Hiking6.10 Miles 3,125 AEG
Hiking6.10 Miles
3,125 ft AEG
 no routes
Linked   linked  
The Gatekeeper
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
Jun 04 2016
avatar

 Guides 6
 Routes 23
 Photos 1,125
 Triplogs 593

46 male
 Joined May 23 2012
 Mesa, AZ
Flatiron Hike - SuperstitionsPhoenix, AZ
Flatiron Hike - Superstitions
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 04 2016
syoung • Triplogs 593
Hiking6.50 Miles 3,524 AEG
Hiking6.50 Miles   2 Hrs   58 Mns   2.19 mph
3,524 ft AEG23 LBS Pack
 no routes
Linked   linked  
The Gatekeeper
Partners none no partners
_____________________
 
average hiking speed 2.3 mph
1, 2, 3  Next

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