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| | | Weavers Loop with Extras, AZ | | | |
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Weavers Loop with Extras, AZ
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| Hiking | 19.59 Miles |
3,936 AEG |
| | Hiking | 19.59 Miles | 10 Hrs 56 Mns | | 1.83 mph |
| 3,936 ft AEG | 14 Mns Break | | | |
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| no partners | | Since getting back into hiking, I've been reviewing old photos and notes and making lists of hikes I want to redo and places I want to see...I recalled really enjoying the weavers loop when I did it many years ago - though I did a slightly extended loop back then, tacking on a visit to the top of black top mesa.
Unlike that last time, I tacked on some new-to-me extras by way of a detour to lone pine and a visit to robbers roost. While I'd hoped to re-do that larger loop, it was evident after my detours that I was simply not moving fast enough to have the daylight for the extra miles.
The day started bright and early, with my hitting the trailhead right around sunrise. It was novel to drive down the dirt road without plumes of dust thanks to the previous day's rains. The trailhead had a surprising number of cars when I arrived (it looked well over 2/3 full). There were volunteers from a local hiking group and the USFS setting up near the trailhead and what appeared to be the local SAR team meeting up for some practice.
After signing in at the register and some brief chitchat with the volunteers, I headed off up the Peralta Trail. Thanks to the recent rains, footing in some places was a bit slick, eroding trust in my footwear. I've only had these shoes out on dry surfaces, but have worn previous generations of this model out in wet conditions with no issue, though admittedly, the type of rock involved was likely different (predominantly sandstones and limestones rather than the volcanic stuff so prevalent in the superstitions). I was pleasantly surprised at my steady ascent to Freemont saddle with breaks only for photos and I passed more people (4) than passed me (3) - and even so, I was glad that there wasn't much traffic that early. The trail was damp underfoot with the occasional pool of water - though as it climbed higher, a novel soundtrack of burbling water could be heard with confirmed flow in the drainage upon crossing. At the saddle, I stumbled across group of climbers camped out having a leisurely morning. After the requisite photo from the overlook, I headed off towards lone tree, and was pleasantly surprised to have it all to myself. I stopped for a few minutes to enjoy the solitude and the views of the snow covered mountains in the distance (while also noting a dusting of snow on the Superstition Ridgeline).
Knowing I had miles to cover, I turned back to find the traffic had increased significantly with several groups of people clustered at the saddle. I found my way up into the hoodoos, and headed towards the ridgeline and Robbers Roost. I found the trail to be well cairned and easy to follow, though I peeled off towards the chimney rather than staying on the main trail to approach the roost from northeast. With the recent rain, there was plenty of running and pooled water up on the ridge. I managed to find my way into the roost, and after some trial and error found my way to the entry chute. Within the roost, water was flowing down the split falls and on through the bowl. It looks like some folk descend the drainage as a technical canyoneering route as there are webbing slings evident. I had a brief look at the register, but didn't recognize any HAZ names - it seems like the area sees plenty of visitation and I had once again lucked out with my early start to have the area to enjoy in solitude.
After looking around for a bit, I headed back out to join the main trail, passing several people headed towards the roost on my way back towards Fremont Saddle, including a couple of folk who looked like they might be toting canyoning gear. Seems my timing was near perfect for my two planned detours for the day! As I was hiking back to rejoin the Peralta Trail, it was pretty clear that traffic had picked up as I could hear a steady stream of chatter floating up from the main path, and there were loads more visitors at the actual saddle. The climbers from before had finally packed up and started down canyon towards Weavers Needle just a few moments before I rejoined the main trail to follow in their footsteps with their chatter and hardware jangling for a soundtrack. When it became clear that I wasn't moving fast enough to lap them and stay far enough ahead, I stopped to let them gain some separation.
I was glad to be able to regain some semblance of solitude as I hiked onward - while I didn't catch anyone else headed in the same direction as I was, I think I passed just over a dozen folk headed in the opposite direction in various places along the loop, about 2/3rds of which were backpackers - 2 of the backpackers were on their way out and mentioned that they were from BC and had spent the previous day holed up at Charlebois with the thunderstorms, hail, and rain passing over. They were in good spirits, so I thanked them for bringing the rain to the desert  .
The loop itself has a very small section that looks like it was affected by the siphon fire (near the northern terminus of the peralta trail) - with all the moisture in the air, it smelled strongly of stale campfire when walking through the burn region. Otherwise, the flora all along the route seemed healthy with the mosses and resurrection plants recently rehydrated.
Views along the loop didn't disappoint with Weavers Needle featuring heavily. The disadvantage to doing the loop clockwise as I did (to give myself the best opportunity to having some solitude at Lone Tree and Robber's Roost) meant that I was climbing up Terrapin at the end of my day - I was warned that it was steep and loose....and sure enough, it was - though the footing wasn't too awful. I can never decide if I prefer going up or down Cardiac Hill - at the end of a long day, I was definitely taking my time with the big step downs. By the time I returned to the trailhead, many of the cars had cleared out, though I did spot a few people headed up Peralta when I was able to peer into the canyon from above.
It was a great day to be out, especially with the water pooling and flowing from the recent rains. Not sure how long it will all last, but it was such a nice change! I'm not sure which stats are right, HAZ disagrees with what my watch computed...one has more mileage, and the other has more AEG, either way, it was a fantastic all day affair. |
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Wildflowers Observation Isolated
the occasional ocotillo, fleabane and hoary tansyaster. |
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| Happier when hiking....I may not move fast (and I'm often distracted by wildflowers), but I'll get there eventually |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
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Route 
. The Dutchman from Terrapin to Peralta was the section I was missing and was a pretty easy gradual climb over upper Upper Black Top Mesa Pass. We took a break in the shade once we got to the Peralta Trail and started the long climb up. This section to Fremont Saddle completely dragged as it was a pretty warm continuous climb up. Checked out the Siphon Fire burn area, as normal the fire destroyed some sections and missed others. There were some sections where the fire made it below the trail but for the most part, it stayed higher up. Made a stop at the old Piper camp and I bushwhacked and rock-hopped down to the spring area while Andy watched from his Lazy Boy. Finally made it to Fremont Saddle, which to my surprise was not nearly as busy as I expected. Even though the hike from the Saddle to the TH was all downhill it dragged as we were both pretty warm and tired at this point. Saw one hiker on Peralta near the Dutchman junction, then up on the Saddle were the shirtless guys and yoga pants girls taking selfies as usual. In the home stretch now with only a couple of miles of trails left. Thanks Andy for joining.
