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12 triplogs
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Jun 18 2002
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 249
 Triplogs 12

67 male
 Joined Feb 03 2002
 Scottsdale, AZ
Hidden Valley via Guadalupe RidgePhoenix, AZ
Hidden Valley via Guadalupe Ridge
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 18 2002
Mike • Triplogs 12
Hiking 1,320 AEG
Hiking
1,320 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This is by far my favorite hike to do in South Mountain Park! It's a good way to get away from the crowds, especially after you cross the saddle and Beverly Canyon Trail. And it's a lot more adventurous than the freeway trails below! Climbing Marcos de Niza Hill up to the ridgeline is a decent workout as is the rest of the ridge. Joe describes it quite well as a rollercoaster ride. You can easily combine this with a number of other trails in the area to make for a longer hike. I've hiked along the ridgeline, down to Hidden Valley, jumped on the National Trail and finished at Telegraph Pass, in JULY!!!! :-O Next time you're looking for something different to do in South Mountain Park, this is it! PS - You're welcome, Teva! :o)
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Feb 23 2002
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 249
 Triplogs 12

67 male
 Joined Feb 03 2002
 Scottsdale, AZ
Cave Trail #233Phoenix, AZ
Cave Trail #233
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Feb 23 2002
Mike • Triplogs 12
Hiking 1,400 AEG
Hiking
1,400 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I ascended this trail today. It's a great alternative to the crowds on the Peralta Trail. There are a couple of tough spots going up, but otherwise, it's not too bad. The views along the way are excellent.
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Jan 05 2002
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 249
 Triplogs 12

67 male
 Joined Feb 03 2002
 Scottsdale, AZ
Black Top MesaPhoenix, AZ
Black Top Mesa
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 05 2002
Mike • Triplogs 12
Hiking 1,558 AEG
Hiking
1,558 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
We did this trip today, what a great hike! I'd never done the Dutchman into Boulder Basin, only out of there, taking either The Black Mesa, or the Boulder Canyon in. It's a great approach, as it seems like you're there in no time at all. As for Black Top Mesa, WOW! The views are fantastic! The only thing I've done that comes close in the western Supers, is the Ridgeline itself. But this may be better, because unlike the Ridgeline where you view everything from a distance and high above, on Black Top, you're smack in the middle of it all! Weavers Needle looked close enough to reach out and touch! We did find the hieroglyphics, but they were nothing to write home about. Joe's right in that the real attraction is what you can see from up there! From the junction of the Dutchman & Bull Pass Trails, it took us a little over half an hour to get to the top.
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Jan 01 2002
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 249
 Triplogs 12

67 male
 Joined Feb 03 2002
 Scottsdale, AZ
Massacre FallsPhoenix, AZ
Massacre Falls
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 01 2002
Mike • Triplogs 12
Hiking3.60 Miles 1,102 AEG
Hiking3.60 Miles
1,102 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I hiked this trail this past Saturday.  It was a nice hike.  I'd always heard
the trail could be hard to follow, but didn't find that to be the case at all. 
I didn't see

the fork that joe mentions, somehow I must've missed that.  I'd like to
return and try some of the loop options that Carlson mentions.  The waterfall
area was really cool, especially the ridge with the overhanging cliff.  We got a
sprinkling of rain, but unfortunately the waterfall was dry as a bone. :(  We'll
be back in the spring, hopefully we can catch the flower show!
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Nov 12 2001
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 249
 Triplogs 12

67 male
 Joined Feb 03 2002
 Scottsdale, AZ
Table Top TrailSouthwest, AZ
Table Top Trail
Southwest, AZ
Hiking avatar Nov 12 2001
Mike • Triplogs 12
Hiking 2,057 AEG
Hiking
2,057 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Hey Dudes! Scree Surfer Mike here! This trail makes for a great workout, especially for folks training for Grand Canyon trips. The first half of the trail only gains a few hundred feet, but the second half gains about 1700 feet, with probably 1000 of those coming in the last 1/2 mile! The switchbacks are steep and very rocky. (Yes, I literally did surf the scree a few times on the way down, but I'm happy to report that I never wiped out!!) The views from the top, and along the way there, are spectacular, well worth the effort. I plan to return when the air is clearer, it was rather hazy Saturday. Supposedly there's a coffee can with a makeshift summit register somewhere up there. Some of the entries are supposed to be over 20 years old!
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Oct 22 2001
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 Guides 5
 Photos 249
 Triplogs 12

67 male
 Joined Feb 03 2002
 Scottsdale, AZ
Black Mesa Loop - Superstition MtnsPhoenix, AZ
Black Mesa Loop - Superstition Mtns
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Oct 22 2001
Mike • Triplogs 12
Hiking 1,125 AEG
Hiking
1,125 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
Ditto on doing this loop clockwise! I've done this loop a number of times, always clockwise. The view of Weaver's Needle from the top of the Mesa is one of the best in the Superstitions. Be sure to make the side trip over to Aylor's Camp. See if you can pick out the horse's head on Palomino Mtn. Hardly any of my friends ever have, but I can make it out clearly. A nice variation, requiring a car shuttle, is to continue past Palomino Mountain and hook up with the Peralta Trail, past the Needle, up to Freemont and out at Peralta Trailhead. Another longer variation... stay on the Second Water trail down to Boulder Canyon, then follow the Boulder Canyon trail upstream to Boulder Basin, coming out near Aylor's Camp, return to First Water on the Dutchman.
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Apr 22 2001
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 249
 Triplogs 12

67 male
 Joined Feb 03 2002
 Scottsdale, AZ
Reavis Falls HikeGlobe, AZ
Reavis Falls Hike
Globe, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 22 2001
Mike • Triplogs 12
Hiking 2,010 AEG
Hiking
2,010 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I just got back last night from an overnight trip to Reavis Falls. It was a great trip. The hike is very scenic, and the waterfall was spectacular! Although this can be done as a day hike, I'd recommend an overnighter to give yourself more time to enjoy the area. We camped right next to Reavis Creek, about a mile downstream of the falls. If you're going to do it as a day hike, make sure you're in great shape, start early, and be prepared for changing conditions. On our way out yesterday, we started in nice sunny weather, but a couple of miles from the end we were in rain and even a little snow. The turnoff trail is not at all hard to find. You make a turn which faces you directly at Castle Dome and you'll be on the northern flank of the ridge that climbs toward Castle Dome, the turnoff veers off to the left and uphill. It's just past the turn, and about 30 yards beyond is a small tree on the right side of the trail. The trail is easy to follow all the way down to the first creek, after that, watch for cairns and you'll be fine.
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Apr 19 2001
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 249
 Triplogs 12

67 male
 Joined Feb 03 2002
 Scottsdale, AZ
See Canyon Trail #184Payson, AZ
See Canyon Trail #184
Payson, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 19 2001
Mike • Triplogs 12
Hiking 1,720 AEG
Hiking
1,720 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This is a nice hike, a good introduction to the Rim. I hiked here first a few springs past with a friend. We took the side trail to See Spring, then on a whim decided to bushwhack up to the top of the rim. I kid you not, the moment we came over the edge of the rim, a deluge started. We hiked along the edge of the rim on the remnants of General Crook's road, to the point where the See Canyon trail comes out. Then we returned on the See Canyon Trail. By this time the rain had stopped, but the trail was very slick.
I next visited here last spring, meeting up with some friends at a cabin in Christopher Creek, where we were dusted with snow. We started the hike in cool but pleasant weather, but by the time we topped out on the rim, we were in a snow storm. The snow merely added to the beauty of this canyon. Be prepared for a short steep section near the top, other than that, this is a moderate and very pleasant hike.
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Apr 02 2001
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 249
 Triplogs 12

67 male
 Joined Feb 03 2002
 Scottsdale, AZ
Second Water Trail #236Phoenix, AZ
Second Water Trail #236
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Apr 02 2001
Mike • Triplogs 12
Hiking 368 AEG
Hiking
368 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
This is a great hike, one of my favorites.  In Garden
Valley as you approach the junction with the Black Mesa
trail, there is a small hill in front of you.  This
is a Salado Indian ruin.  If you climb around on the
larger hill just across the trail from the ruin, you can
find a number of grinding holes.  I've also heard
there are remnants of canals in the valley.  There
was also a battle between the calvary and the Apache in
this valley in the 1800's.

A great option for making a loop hike is to take the
Second Water Trail all the way to Boulder Creek below
Battleship Mountain.  Then turn right on the west
side of the creek and follow the Boulder Canyon Trail. 
It's a little hard to find the trail junction, but it is
marked by a sign.  If you rock hop upstream on
Boulder Creek, eventually you will find the trail as it
criss-crosses the creek dozens of times.  This trail
will eventually lead you to Boulder Basin, near Ayers Camp
& Palamino Mountain.  From there, follow the
Dutchman's Trail back to First Water Trailhead.  The
hike is about 12 or 13 miles.

Another great option is a shuttle hike beginning at Canyon
Lake on the Boulder Canyon Trail, and ending at First
Water via the Second Water Trail (or vice-versa) 
This one is about 7 or 8 miles.
Mike S.
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Sep 20 1999
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 249
 Triplogs 12

67 male
 Joined Feb 03 2002
 Scottsdale, AZ
Hunter Trail - Picacho PeakTucson, AZ
Hunter Trail - Picacho Peak
Tucson, AZ
Hiking avatar Sep 20 1999
Mike • Triplogs 12
Hiking 1,374 AEG
Hiking
1,374 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
By driving to the end of the road through the park, you can make a loop hike using the Sunset View Trail & the Hunter Trail. The Sunset View Trail gradually ascends the western flanks of Picacho Peak. Best of all, there's no freeway noise/view. The trail joins the Hunter Trail about 1/2 mile from the top. Return on the Hunter Trail and walk about 2 miles back up the road to your car. Round trip is about 7 miles. - Mike S.
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Jul 06 1999
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 249
 Triplogs 12

67 male
 Joined Feb 03 2002
 Scottsdale, AZ
West Fork Oak Creek Trail #108Sedona, AZ
West Fork Oak Creek Trail #108
Sedona, AZ
Hiking avatar Jul 06 1999
Mike • Triplogs 12
Hiking 200 AEG
Hiking
200 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I did the West Fork yesterday with a group of people. Although I've done this trail numerous times, it never gets old. The real fun begins at the three mile mark. Here it becomes necessary to get into the creek and wade, unless you prefer finding routes along steep cliff walls covered in thick manzanita! The Canyon walls close in very tight and the creek is wall-to-wall for a hundred yards or more. We went back another 2 1/2 or 3 miles beyond this point. We eventually found a pool that was at least four feet deep and the size of a small backyard pool. It's possible to avoid the fee area and the foot bridge by parking along Hwy 89A about 1/4 mile south of Call of the Canyon Day Area. The old trailhead can be reached by walking down an old paved driveway, to the right of a newer driveway. Cross the creek at the bottom of the drive and you will come out on the trail at the site of the ruins of the old lodge. This trail is at it's ultimate in the fall, about mid-October. 
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Jun 21 1999
avatar

 Guides 5
 Photos 249
 Triplogs 12

67 male
 Joined Feb 03 2002
 Scottsdale, AZ
Pine Creek Loop #280Phoenix, AZ
Pine Creek Loop #280
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jun 21 1999
Mike • Triplogs 12
Hiking 452 AEG
Hiking
452 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
I hiked here on 4/3/99, just a couple days after a snow storm hit the area. It was beautiful, and there were NO insects. The loop trails are actually named Pine Creek North & South. Ballantine Trail begins at the eastern junction of the two loop sections. It is possible to hike from the Ballantine trailhead off of Hwy 87 to the Cline trailhead on Four Peaks Road. The distance is approx. 12 miles and would require a car shuttle. On 5/29/99 a friend and I hiked in about 5 miles from the Ballantine trailhead. We were surrounded by swarms of gnats and flies for the first several miles, but as we gained more altitude and the day warmed up, the bugs disappeared. The huge boulders and formations here are fascinating. This is a very enjoyable hike, but avoid it in the hotter months.
-Mike S.
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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