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| Hiking | 5.30 Miles |
1,020 AEG |
| | Hiking | 5.30 Miles | 3 Hrs 10 Mns | | 1.67 mph |
| 1,020 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | I've been on a roll lately, this is my 3rd weekend in a row hiking, and next will be the fourth. I don't think that's happened since before the kids were born. From two weeks earlier hiking in this area, I noticed some unmapped trails that I wanted to try, and since the weather is just on the cusp of being too hot, I was able to convince Radmila and the kids to go out on a Sunday hike.
We started from the parking lot off of First Water Road right off of AZ88. There's a trail that goes from there and connects to the Jacob Trail. My plan was to take an unofficial trail off the Jacob Trail that connects to the Treasure Loop, but I got sidetracked. Just before that junction, we noticed the "skydivers" from two weeks earlier, right at the same time of day and even from the exact same spot on the trail. I'm thinking now that they're BASE jumpers. We didn't notice any planes, and they were landing in the same spot as two weeks ago, just off the eastern edge of the Supes, by what looks like some jumpable cliffs (if you're into that sort of thing  ). While we were noticing all of that, we passed the junction and ended up at the junction of the Jacob and Treasure Loop Trails before we knew it.
we headed up on the Treasure loop and took the one unmapped trail that heads south towards the other leg of the Treasure Loop. this trail headed that way and then took a right (west) and then started to fade away. It would fade away and then pick up again and we followed it along a ridge between two small canyons until it was gone and the canyons turned into shallow drainages that we could cross. then we got back on the other leg of the Treasure loop and headed back up again to the Prospector Trail. Not was I had planned exactly, but things happen. on our way, some hikers on their way down warned us of a rattlesnake that we didn't encounter.
Near the junction of the Treasure Loop and Prospector trail, we took a break and then headed along the Prospector trail until the Palmer Mine Trail, and then took that. Along the Palmer Mine Trail, I made my third gila monster sighting in three consecutive weeks! Crazy. and again, it was pointed out to me by someone else. My daughter saw it and it took me almost 5 minutes to finally see it because he kept scurrying and hiding. I do have one photo as proof.
Took the Siphon Draw Trail to Prospector and Jacob for the most direct route back to the car after that. It was getting a little hot and the two climbs up the Treasure loop ended up giving us a total of 1000' AEG for the day on a 5 mile hike, not bad for the kids.
got back to the car with no other noteworthy events and had lunch at the Mongolian Grill in AJ. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
I suggested the out trails out east. We hiked around until we had 5 miles.
It was good to get out! Thanks for the hike Wally! Like HAZ, you rock!
. Turns out he was bailing on some plans with unforeseen circumstances. 
Route 
Due to ominous looking clouds decided to check my weather app on arrival at the State Park which gave a rain chance at 8%. Unfortunately by time I reached the basin it became 100%, add in some strong cool wind gusts and tiny hail I began to question the sanity of continuing. It only lasted about 15 to 20 minutes but did provide a nice slippery surface for the “few” rocky surfaces required to step on. I managed to pick up a small entourage after dropping into the wash from the saddle a young man from Georgia and two local ladies who were on this for the first time. They all traveled up with me as they were concerned about getting off track , we headed up at a steady if not fast pace. When we topped out of the wash initially they were interested in going to 5024 but decided not to continue after the strong winds became apparent. At that same time four youngsters leaving Flatiron had decided to go on to 5024 and initially were going to follow me but were too inpatient to follow an old guy so they went ahead. They made it to the top before me as I watched them take an unique route. Due to the winds only stayed long enough to take a couple of pictures and then dropped down trying to find a wind free snack spot. Next as I headed down to my wondering eyes appeared Flatiron with no one there. Of course I had to meander around a bit before heading back down the wash, could have done a Scottish selfie if I had my kilt on. Once back in the wash it was slow going to insure good foot placement among so many loose rock hazards. Just as I am getting to the bottom of the wash I noticed a young lady hiking up barefoot, followed by two guys doing the same 
Moving on couldn’t find any remains of the initial “route” over to Praying Hands but once coming down the big ravine memory kicked back in as well as cairns. Made a brief excursion up the origins of Weekes Wash ,aka Canyon of the Waterfalls, appeared the east side had less burn evidence while the west side look toasted. Saw two young fellas perched on top of Praying Hands then several hikers once back down to Treasure Loop . Passed two guys who feigned insult when I told them if they let me by I wouldn’t take the bench at the Treasure Loop highpoint 
As a history buff liked my final AEG for today too!
](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall")
and would have ended up taking the regular entrance. Maybe that's the way Jack took us and I just forgot?
, I think there are only 3.
