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| | | Flatiron via Spirit Canyon, AZ | | | |
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Flatiron via Spirit Canyon, AZ
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| Hiking | 13.62 Miles |
3,362 AEG |
| | Hiking | 13.62 Miles | 7 Hrs 10 Mns | | 2.16 mph |
| 3,362 ft AEG | 51 Mns Break | | | |
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| Partners |
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none
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| no partners | | Hit up an old favorite via a new route.
Originally, the plan was just to head up Spirit Canyon (never been before) to check out some petroglyphs.
But then I ventured up further to the cool arch, which looks like it’s on its last legs. Then I scrambled up further, and before I knew it, I decided I’d rather keep climbing up to Flatiron and descend Siphon Draw than try to go back down what I had climbed up so far. 
I started from the Broadway TH. That section up to the junction with Jacob’s Crosscut has got to be one of the most miserable pieces of flat trail around for the feet—totally covered in tennis to softball sized rocks that give your feet and ankles no rest whatsoever. Thankfully, the views help compensate—including one of the best saguaro forest stands close to the Valley.
The unmarked turn up to Spirit was indistinct but visible if you’re looking for it.
From that point, there is no trail, but if your route finding skills are tuned, a path of least resistance is not too difficult to follow, with minimal bushwhacking.
I dropped a pin at the falls. No running water, but still some pools from the recent rain. I’d like to come back when the water is running.
The falls are bypassed on the left, but soon the route crosses back to the right and after climbing up some slick rock cascades gets more brushy and choose-your-own adventury, drawing you up to the cool, and unexpected arch—which was the highlight of the hike for me.
After that, it’s pretty much a full-on scramble. Some exposure, but nothing crazy. As noted above though, I realized that climbing up was much easier than climbing back down would be.
At that point, I contemplated continuing up to the base of the the Flatiron, from which point I was familiar with the rest of the route.
I decided to go for it, and was glad I did. Shortly before reaching the base of the Flatiron, I decided to take advantage of some slick rock to traverse left and closer to the point of the Flatiron (thus avoiding some more brushy traversing). Near the base, i began to hear the chattering of hikers far above.
Once I reached the crossover that allowed viewing down siphon draw, I knew I was home free. There was still some scrambling to be done, but it was familiar.
The flatiron was as busy as I’ve seen it. But I went up to the peak and was pleased to see that the masses generally don’t feel like expending the marginal additional energy. Only two other people were there.
The descent was the expected conga line, but way easier that going back down spirit canyon.
Jacob’s crosscut was actually more enjoyable than I thought it would be, with great views of the mountains. Lots of solitude there, too. |
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