Government Hill • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

West Pinto Trail #212 - Superstitions

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Jun 16 2023
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290

Hiking	11.80 Miles	3,196 AEG

Hiking	11.80 Miles	5 Hrs 3 Mns	2.59 mph
	3,196 ft AEG	30 Mns Break

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Bull Basin Loop - Eastern Superstitions

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

In regard to the Bull Basin Trail, the same as what Ms. Stardust said previously. Essentially a one-off in its current lousy condition. I regularly thought I was going to step on a viper or come face-to-face with a bear tunneling through the vegetation from about miles three through six (CW loop ascending). Gritty and painful chaparral slogging with not many views. Don't plan on making good time through this section. I had researched FOTG's and some others routes for Government Hill and was strongly drawn to bailing from the Bull Basin Trail on GH's western side and traversing over the top, but stuck it out like a bull because I wanted to complete the whole trail and not have to go back and repeat the torture again. Once reaching the Haunted Canyon Trail, the hiking was more enjoyable and quicker. I ascended/descended the standard Government Hill route, which was surprising good (practically zero bushwhacking). The views were better than expected also. The descent of Paradise was unique and quite pretty with plentiful water sources still. Someone has pruned recently, but there is one massive deadfall that blocks the whole trail on the lower section. One of the best highlights was two small yellow/black birds (orioles?) that were battling a Hau'Pal on the trail in front of me. Another significant observation was all the bear scat and tracks throughout the loop. The cypress groves are also neat and remind me of Stewart Pocket. Yup, Supes hiking in mid June!

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Banana Yucca Golden-Beard Penstemon

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Tarantula Hawk

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Benchmark

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Bull Basin Circle Stone Mound Mountain Pinto Peak Sawtooth Ridge

9 archives

Apr 18 2021

FLYING_FLIVER

Guides 1
Routes 259
Photos 10,458
Triplogs 293

male

Joined Jan 28 2010
Fountain Hills,

Peak 5501 and Govt Hill BM, AZ

Hiking		Apr 18 2021
		FLYING_FLIVER • Triplogs 293

Hiking	7.55 Miles	2,873 AEG

Hiking	7.55 Miles	7 Hrs 40 Mns	1.68 mph
	2,873 ft AEG	3 Hrs 10 Mns Break

no routes

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Haunted Canyon West Trailhead to Saddle

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Bear with me
Seven years ago I did a hike and started my triplog by saying:
"This hike is all Hansenaz’s fault. (I’ve never met the gentleman, but I still blame him)"

Then after a hike in Jan 2020:
"This hike is all Outdoor_Lover's fault. (I’ve never met the young lady, but I still blame her)"

Well, for this hike I say:
"This hike is all wallyfrack’s fault. (I’ve never met the gentleman, but I still blame him)"
============
In Jan 2017 I did a hike I named - Government Hill and "GOVT HILL” BM.
I hiked to Government Hill in the SE Superstitions and easily located a USGS "No-Name" benchmark. It's a nice little disk, but it has no name on it.
I know many HAZ members have been to Government Hill, and have viewed this no-name disk.
I emailed the USGS with the LAT/LONG of the no-name disk, and their answer, "We have no record of that disk". HMMM ….

On TOPO maps, about 1 mile west of Government Hill, there's a mountain named, Peak "5501 BM". It's basically a no-name mountain, and uses the BM's elevation for its designation.
Well, I have a datasheet for that "5501 BM" benchmark disk, and it's named ….
"Govt Hill". Another - HMMM .…

On that hike in 2017, I hiked west, off Government Hill to Bull Basin Tr, and attempted to climb up to Pk 5501. I failed.
I fought through about 100 feet of thick, intertwined vegetation and gave up. That stuff was like hiking through a chain link fence. Up to Pk 5501 was another 500 Ft up, but no way.

Fast forward to last year. Wallyfrack tried to get up to Pk 5501, using my 'track up', and also stopped, due to vegetation.
However, after his hike, he did some great research, and got up to Pk 5501.
He used a different, zig-zagging, and less dense vegetation track, and located the BM disk named "GOVT HILL" (1946).

After his successful hike, the "King of the Supes" graciously sent me a 'HAZ PM', and included his GPS track up to Pk 5501 from Bull Basin Tr.
Well, I made it up there on this hike, using his expert info.
Thank-you, wallyfrack.

Now, here is why I blame wallyfrack for this hike.
Yes, he confided in me his 'track up', and then he enticed me to get up there by offering me a money reward. (Photo from wallyfrack's successful hike photoset).
[ photo ]
Well, I couldn't pass up that reward.

So, off I went to retrieve my reward. I located the GOVT HILL BM disk, and the summit log — With my reward inside.

I also located 'where' Ref Mark #1 used to be located, and I did locate RM #2.
Note - The two RMs are not disks. They are etched crosses in boulders.
RM #1's etched cross has chipped away, and that 'chip-away' appears to be a natural occurrence. RM #2 was over 29 Ft away, but easily located, and in perfect shape.

One more point of interest.
I included Google Earth screenshots of my track. You'll notice it stops at Bull Basin Tr, and does not include wallyfrack's track-up portion. He did the work on that part, and it's his.

So, I'm glad I finally got atop Pk 5501, and I'm very thankful for the King of the Supes's assistance. My photoset will explain what I actually did with my reward.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Benchmark Horseshoe Reference Mark Summit Register Log

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Government Hill

_____________________

Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
J.R.R.TOLKIEN

Mar 21 2020

wallyfrack

Routes 93
Photos 7,758
Triplogs 1,691

64 male

Joined Mar 11 2003
AZ

Haunted Canyon West Trailhead to Saddle

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Mar 21 2020
		wallyfrack • Triplogs 1,691

Hiking	7.80 Miles	2,549 AEG

Hiking	7.80 Miles	4 Hrs 6 Mns	1.90 mph
	2,549 ft AEG

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I started an hour later than usual. I was hungover from a Friday night PixelTrivia bender.

I was in the zone "Peak", "Loop", "Trail", "Creek" and finally had to drag myself away. Now I'm back on my meds and rebuilding my life. I could have been somebody, I could have been a contender.

The goal today was solitude and I found that at the 2nd Haunted trailhead. As soon as I got out of the Jeep I could hear running water. the trails are wet, washed out and overgrown, perfect in my book. I stayed dry for a while then just walked through the water as it was warm out and the cold water was refreshing. The route was up Haunted Canyon trail, north on Bull Basin then over The Government Hill ridge back to Paradise/Haunted Canyon trails. The road in was only a little soft and no real muddy spots. I didn't pass a single hiker all day. Now that solo hiking is the safest I realize I was not crazy, just ahead of my time.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Benchmark

_____________________

5 archives

Jan 29 2017

FLYING_FLIVER

Guides 1
Routes 259
Photos 10,458
Triplogs 293

male

Joined Jan 28 2010
Fountain Hills,

Government Hill and GOVT HILL BM, AZ

Hiking		Jan 29 2017
		FLYING_FLIVER • Triplogs 293

Hiking	7.11 Miles	2,498 AEG

Hiking	7.11 Miles	6 Hrs 42 Mns	1.88 mph
	2,498 ft AEG	2 Hrs 55 Mns Break

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[ checklist ] Benchmark Summit Register Log Trail Signs and Markings

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About the triplog title.
Government Hill and "GOVT HILL” BM are not in the same place.

I first used the trail, ’Haunted Canyon W TH to Saddle.’
I then continued on with ‘Government Hill Trail’. From Government Hill, I descended the ‘hill’ to the west, down to Bull Basin Trail. There’s no trail down to Bull Basin, and the descent is steep, but very doable.

Bull Basin runs north-south here. I crossed Bull Basin going west, but not very far.
My plan was to continue west, off trail, and up another mountain peak. From that peak I was going to go two short peaks north, to a peak that has a benchmark symbol on TOPOs. From Bull Basin Tr, west to the BM, is only about 4 tenths of a mile in distance, and 500 Ft ‘up’.

As it turns out, I hiked only about 300 ft west of Bull Basin Tr and discontinued the pursuit. The vegetation was that very thick, 6 to 7 ft high, intertwined ‘stuff’, that I knew was going to exist for more than half the way up the mountain. (And more than half the way ‘down’ the mountain on the return).

Even in the planning stage of this hike, I was almost sure I wouldn’t do that last part of the planned adventure, as Google Earth gave very good (bad?) satellite views of that thick stuff.
(I experienced this same type vegetation last week, and was not pleased - It took forever and was exhausting).
Once the thick brush stopped me, I retraced my way back and made the hike an out-and-back.

As many know, ‘the hill’ named Government Hill has a benchmark. It’s benchmark has ‘No-Name’ on its disk.
The disk displays the elevation (5445) and that’s it. No other stamped info, other than the normal “USGS” and “$250 fine for disturbing” etc.

The BM I didn’t reach is on a No-Name peak - (TOPOs call it Pk 5501, just because of its BM elevation).
Here’s the fun part - The No-Name peak’s benchmark is named (and stamped), “GOVT HILL”.

So, …….. Here we have a mountain many hike to, called Government Hill, with a no-name disk, and we have a no-name mountain with a disk named “Govt Hill”. I’m sure there’s logic to all this - or maybe not.
I have a copy of the “Govt Hill” data sheet, with excellent info on how ‘To Reach’ the “Govt Hill” BM, on the No-Name peak. I have inquired, twice, to the USGS for info on the No-Name BM located on Government Hill, and they state “they don’t have a record of that No-Name disk”. Interesting.

For the most part, this hike was a good adventure. Alot of water is still running down Haunted Canyon Trail, and Paradise Tank is full. Government Hill Trail had alot of ice on the ‘smooth rock parts’, which was avoidable by hiking a bit off trail.
Sadly, the Government Hill’s summit log sheet (Blank side of some sheet music) was all wet and barely readable. I hung it out to dry while I was up there, and also added another dry sheet of paper.

One new experience for me, on this hike.
I talked with a hiker who was hiking with four dogs. Each dog had its own personal locator beacon around its neck, with a curved, wire antenna coming out of it. If they got out of sight, or lost, the hiker had a transmitter/receiver that would lead him to any of his lost canines. I thought that was really cool.
I’m sure HAZ hikers with dogs know all about ‘Canine PLBs”, but it was a first for me.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Government Hill

_____________________

Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost
J.R.R.TOLKIEN

Jan 22 2017

FOTG

Guides 37
Routes 556
Photos 10,872
Triplogs 1,052

43 male

Joined Jan 21 2013
AZ

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Jan 22 2017
		FOTG • Triplogs 1,052

Hiking	11.33 Miles	2,636 AEG

Hiking	11.33 Miles	5 Hrs 55 Mns	2.06 mph
	2,636 ft AEG	25 Mns Break

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Rock Creek Trail #195 - Superstitions

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I started my morning headed towards Rogers Trough to do White Mountain, but no vehicle is getting across Queen Creek right now and I saw first hand why. I pulled up behind a pickup who had a friend outside mulling over whether it was crossable. I kept thinking that there was no way that it was uncrossable and I even thought for a minute that the guy ahead of me might be being a little cautious and if he did not go, I was just going to go around him and try, but just then he went for it after his friend on the outside seemed to give him the thumbs up. He was done for as soon as he hit the water, his front end briefly went hood deep he lurched forward a little and then there he sat about bed deep in Queen Creek. I got out and said to his friend, "well I am not going this way," turned around and headed back to the 60 for a plan B.

I figured I could not go wrong with Miles trailhead for a plan B, although, it did cross my mind that even that road may be impassable due to the rock slides that always occur out there after a big rain. I got lucky and it was clear sailing to the TH. Every drainage was flowing along the road and it was very apparent from the start that the area had been hammered recently. I ended up stopping before Miles and went in Paradise Trail to do a variation of the Bull Basin loop, but with Government Hill and its long ridgeline as an off trail linking route between the two trails. Paradise was a tremendous start to the day. It was nearly impossible to keep your feet dry on the trail, the creek was raging and trailside was one cascade after another, topped off by the main attraction which is less than a mile in. From the flowing water of Paradise, it was across the snow dusted ridgeline to Government Hill for some fantastic views. In particular, the Ancha are in rare form and look more like a range in Colorado right now due to the amount of snow its holding. From Government Hill it was down to Bull Basin, more cascades, more water and then the rugged detour up Rock Creek Trail to view its falling water highlight.

It was impossible to stay dry going up Rock Creek, as it was just calming down from what looked to be a pretty intense little flash flood. The crossings were deep and fast, but all manageable. The horrible trail along the bench was probably worse anyways. Its a real shame the Forest Service decommissioned this trail, it was probably a good one in its day, now the falls are slowly becoming perhaps not worth the hassle. A couple stretches of the trail along the bench are becoming a tad brutal with acacia, deadfall and general overgrowth, during lower water this can be remedied through simply walking up the creek bed, however, that was not happening today. The hike back from the falls went much quicker, as I took up to wading more stretches of the creek when I could, rather than bushwhacking along its edge. Once I hit Bull Basin, it was a pretty quick hike back to the car and other than the fact that West Pinto looks nearly impossible to cross on foot right now, nothing overly exciting occurred.

A great plan B!

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2 archives

Nov 20 2016

FOTG

Guides 37
Routes 556
Photos 10,872
Triplogs 1,052

43 male

Joined Jan 21 2013
AZ

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Nov 20 2016
		FOTG • Triplogs 1,052

Hiking	11.80 Miles	3,328 AEG

Hiking	11.80 Miles
	3,328 ft AEG	46 Mns Break

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Dirt Tank - Haunted Canyon

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LindaAnn

I showed @lindaagm a few old favorites in the Eastern Supes today. We started at the Paradise Trail trailhead, hit Government Hill along the way to Haunted Canyon where we visited the cabin and then took the old and no longer maintained alignment of 203 to switch it up a little coming out of Haunted Canyon.

The weather was perfect, there was just enough water for the dogs and all of the trails are in great shape. We only ran into one group all day and it was near the cabin. A little fall is still going on out there and I imagine with some rain today and tomorrow the hiking conditions will only improve. We did have to utilize the FR to complete out loop, but it was only about 1.5 miles.

Thank you for still hiking with me Linda after I showed up 20 minutes late, with my fuel light on and no wallet.

Autumn Foliage Observation Isolated

1-25% full

	Grapevine Spring	Gallon per minute	Gallon per minute
	Full

	Paradise Spring	Gallon per minute	Gallon per minute
	There are some significant puddles at and around the area marked spring on the map.

	Tony Ranch Spring	Gallon per minute	Gallon per minute
	Full and modest drip from pipe in trough.

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3 archives

Nov 20 2016

LindaAnn

Guides 110
Routes 2,246
Photos 8,982
Triplogs 2,600

45 female

Joined Dec 24 2007
Ahwatukee, AZ

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Nov 20 2016
		LindaAnn • Triplogs 2,600

Hiking	12.11 Miles	3,356 AEG

Hiking	12.11 Miles	6 Hrs 18 Mns	2.19 mph
	3,356 ft AEG	46 Mns Break

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FOTG

Anytime I'm going on a hike someone else has planned, I ask for details. I always look forward to the complete line of BS I receive on a Lee-planned hike. No complaints--it's part of the fun.

We got started around 7:30 and headed up Paradise Trail. Very pleasant uphill climb on a nice trail that masked the amount of elevation we actually gained. We took a side trip up to Government Hill, which was a little brushy, but not too terrible. At one point, Lee was like "Sorry!", my response was along the lines of "Oh that's okay, you've put me through worse." Nice views from the top, we took a quick break, then headed back down.

We took Haunted Canyon over to Tony Ranch, looked around there, took a lunch break, then headed back along what I guess was an old alignment of Haunted Canyon? Took Haunted Canyon back to the road, then walked the road back to the car. Nice day, with cloud cover nearly the entire time.

_____________________

Stop crying and just go do the hike.

1 archive

Oct 16 2016

wallyfrack

Routes 93
Photos 7,758
Triplogs 1,691

64 male

Joined Mar 11 2003
AZ

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Oct 16 2016
		wallyfrack • Triplogs 1,691

Hiking	10.75 Miles	3,214 AEG

Hiking	10.75 Miles	5 Hrs 50 Mns	1.84 mph
	3,214 ft AEG

no routes

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West Pinto Trail #212 - Superstitions

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I hiked up Haunted Canyon trail and explored some. On the way out Paradise trail came to mind. On the way out Paradise trail Government Hill came to mind. While on top of Government Hill the spur to Bull Basin came to mind but I didn't bring enough water so I was safe this time. :lol:

The views up on Government Hill are pretty nice. There are only about 7 entries on the summit register which was placed there in 2011. The person who orchestrated the register used a page of sheet music. There may B sharp rocks on the hike up so watch tour step until you C flat ground. Other than that the route is easy. Once back on Paradise trail it was pleasant hiking. The toughest part was hiking the forest road back up to the Haunted Canyon trail as you gain 600+ feet when you think you are done. The trails are in good shape so you need to go off trail to have any fun.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Benchmark

_____________________

2 archives

Mar 20 2015

mazatzal

Routes 36
Photos 2,658
Triplogs 1,347

67 male

Joined Jul 28 2004
Scottsdale, AZ

Miles Ranch, AZ

Car Camping		Mar 20 2015
		mazatzal • Triplogs 1,347

Car Camping	23.00 Miles	4,900 AEG

Car Camping	23.00 Miles
	4,900 ft AEG

no routes

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Spencer Spring Trail #275

Cuff Button Trail #276

Bull Basin Loop - Eastern Superstitions

Haunted Canyon West Trailhead to Saddle

West Pinto - Campaign to Divide

West Pinto - Spencer Spring Loop

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jhelfers

Our 17th annual spring break trip for the 2-3 of us (Max and I haven’t done all 17 but Jim has). Good times.
This year we chose Miles Ranch and must give some HAZ appreciation to Lee for sure on this one: thanks for all the suggestions and useful info.

After 30 years of AZ hiking I finally make it to one of FOTG’s favorites :lol:

I’m not sure why I hadn’t been here but I think perhaps the massive open pit mines had something to do with it.

Day 1
West Pinto out to Spencer and up to Cement Spring. On the way back we took Cuff Button up to a bit beyond Jerky Spring which was down the side slope.
We got about 3 hours rain in late afternoon but it eased up by 6pm.

Day 2
Paradise to Government Hill ridge and over to Bull Basin. We saw a total of 8 deer (one large buck) on the ridge part of this trip. The descent to Bull Basin we got in some heavy brush that was gnarly :sweat:

On our return to Miles we saw 2 Toyotas with HAZ decals

Day 3
Out and back from Haunted Canyon upper TH. Saw one hiker, the only person we saw all weekend.

Stopped at AZW on the way back

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Woolly Paintbrush

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Benchmark Grave - Unidentified Horseshoe Old Rusty Stuff

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Aztec Peak Cement Spring Government Hill

Wildflowers Observation Light

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5 archives

May 24 2014

FOTG

Guides 37
Routes 556
Photos 10,872
Triplogs 1,052

43 male

Joined Jan 21 2013
AZ

Globe, AZ

Backpack		May 24 2014
		FOTG • Triplogs 1,052

Backpack	25.37 Miles	3,760 AEG

Backpack	25.37 Miles	3 Days
	3,760 ft AEG

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Bull Basin Loop - Eastern Superstitions

Tony's Backyard