Suggestions for Wilderness Hiking

• Make a plan, follow it, and let someone know where you are going and when you will return
• Water, water , water. A gallon or more a day in the heat. YOU WILL DIE WITHOUT WATER
• Map, matches, light source, signal device
• Clothing appropriate for the weather, hat, sunscreen
• First aid kit, bug spray if you have it and others need it, a great bargaining chip
• Bandana. Keeps bugs out of your mouth, sweat off your brow, when wet keeps you refreshed ,bandage to stop bleeding, can be used to soak water from fissures to quench thirst, may be used to keep chewables out of strained drinking water, and properly worn, makes you look cool.
• If you have to think twice before doing something to see if it makes sense, please don’t do it.
• ALWAYS give your search and rescue personnel a big hug.

Rogers Canyon Hike

April 26th arrived with a beautiful sun glowing orange, and the anticipation of an adventurous day in the wonderful Supes. A trip to the Rogers Canyon area and a hike into the cliff dwellings was in the offing. I met Sid and Cathy Bacon and the adventure began.

The trip into Rogers Trough entails 1.5 hours of vehicular travel through very fine country. The Sonoran desert is in full form after the 9+ inches of rain we have received this year. The mountains, natural bridges, and running creeks are “eye candy” to all who make the trip.

Upon arriving at the trailhead, the Superstition Wilderness Adventures greeting committee, 3 Coues whitetail deer, flashed their large tails to start the hike out on a high note. The scenery, fabulous to say the least, made us anxious to hit the trail.

The hike drops downhill around 1200 ft. in 4.3 miles making the hike in pretty easy. Of course there is no escalator so the climb back is +1200 ft. Because of the distance the hike is not real bad but hey, it is still 1200 ft. The eastern Superstitions are 180 degrees different that the western end. The first 1.7 miles of the trail is fairly open with lots of scrub oak and manzanita. The last 3 miles are mostly canopied with trees, lots of running water, and red rock views. Just after the Reavis-Rogers trail intersect, we were greeted by the largest Blacktail Rattlesnake that I have seen in many moons. Beautifully colored, thick bodied, and in a really pissy mood. I would guess around 40 inches in length. Cathy declined to hold it while I measured. Probably a good move on her part. After removing it from our path, we continued down to the cliff dwelling.

After 2.5 hours of hiking we arrived at the “caverna con casa”. As always it is a stunning sight, even after seeing it many times. The skill of the craftsmen is present wherever you look. The many handprints still obvious in the adobe walls, the hand hewn timbers to support the roof. You can still see the reeds they used as roofing material. Then the view, what a front yard they chose. Easy to defend, but better to enjoy. Rogers Canyon stretching out in front of you with the green trees, water course, and the sheer beauty of the colors in the canyon walls. Surely the abrupt departure of the ancient inhabitants had to do with a dramatic event, be it climatic change or encroachment of ancestral enemies. I will ask Al Gore next time I see him for his opinion on this. Sharing this with Sid and Cathy was pure enjoyment. Lots of questions and terrific banter added to the experience.

The real work then begins. The hike back is uphill, all the way. The pleasure from the adventure makes it a bit easier. The scenery, well, that you have to experience. It makes the climb out very palatable. The last 1.7 miles out are the steepest and most exposed of the whole trip. With temperatures in the 80’s it really wasn’t bad. Usually bugs can be a problem but on this perfect hiking day the minimal breeze even kept them at bay.

On arrival at the trailhead we ran into the Goldfield Ghost Riders. A great bunch of horsemen and horsewomen who had ridden up from Queen Creek, a ride of around 14 miles. They were in the midst of lunch and “refreshment”. We were in the same mode as we shared stories and tales of adventure. What a way to end a glorious hike. Thanks to Sid and Cathy, the Ghost Riders, and my new found friend with rattles for a memorable trip into the Supes.

See ya on the trails,

larry

For more information on how you can plan your custom hike into the Superstitions, visit the Superstition Wilderness Adventures homepage.

AAEA Searches for Indian Pottery in the Superstitions

The 23rd of February dawned 38 degrees and bright. The several days before had been rainy and cloudy. Members of the Arizona Art Educators Association had been planning on this hike for a month. The Lord blessed them with a perfect hiking day. Our trip was into the First Water area for a hike to Indian ruins and an ancient kiln. Karen had mentioned that they were totally into the art of pottery making. We knew a place that the Native Americans had been making pottery for nearly a thousand years.

The mountain has had nearly 9 inches of rain since December. If you want beauty in the desert, just add water and voila, it explodes. We are looking at a record year for wildflowers. The last couple of weeks in March and the first few in April appear to hold one of the best photo opportunities in recent times. Lots of creek crossings and great temps make for a fantastic hike.

We learned as much from our "potters" as they learned from us. We observed lots of potsherds, a few arrowheads and even a broken flute. As we are a leave no trace company, the artifacts are still there to be enjoyed in the future.

Come with us, we would love to share our knowledge and stories with you.

Happy hiking,
Larry

Rock the Boat's Trip to Geronimo Cave

On February 8th we took a group of 11 including Superstition SAR members and the film crew from Rock the Boat. The morning started out a crisp 30 degrees but progressed into an afternoon of a balmy 68 degrees. Aw, Arizona in the winter. That must be why we live here.

We chose the Geronimo Cave Trail for its beauty and vagueness. A tough trail to follow in the day, it is nearly impossible to follow at night. We usually get a couple of rescue calls/year on this trail. There is always cardiac hill. It definitely warms you up. About the time you reach the top, the Cave Trail kicks in and you have just started the climb. Upwards ever onward to places with names like the Tower and Devils Slide. Very challenging yet enticing. Once you reach the Geronimo Cave the climb is nearly over.

Cavorting among the hoodoos, and squeezing along the ledges we headed for the Fremont landing zone. This is where we transport injured hikers to be picked up by helicopter if necessary. We ventured over to Lone Pine overlooking Weavers Needle and pointed out the way down the cliff face to the Needle lookout. A good thing to know, especially if you are there at night. Then it is back to Fremont Saddle where the classic photo-op for the Needle is. 2.5 miles downhill and you are back to Peralta TH, our starting point.

Come with us and let experience this "wild ride" together.

Catch ya all on the trails,
Larry

Hiking the Superstitions on the Last Weekend of 2007

On December 29th, I led a group of 21 members of the Superstition Search and Rescue on their annual 10 mile qualification hike. What a glorious morning, 28 degrees at 0700, perfect for the "fun" trip up cardiac hill. Being a SAR member means carrying your 40ish pound pack 10 miles in under 5 hours and still being functional to treat an injured hiker. Sometimes we use stokes to carry them out, or our favorite, a helicopter ride for the "victim".

Bluff Springs Loop up 234 to 104 across Miner's Summit to Coffee Flat and then back to the Peralta TH (trailhead). There is a lot of water in the backcountry after our 6 plus inches of rain in the last month; a beautiful hike with many picture opportunities. All 21 members qualified, thank goodness. We had a call on the 30th as an assist to MCSO (Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office) searching for an overdue individual so a few of us put in another 10 miles in the beautiful Sups. It is always good news when the hiker is found safe and sent home to his loved ones.

Catch you all later in the mountains,
Larry

Superstition Wilderness Adventures

Welcome to the blog of Superstition Wilderness Adventures, LLC. The blog will serve to update the public with our newest offerings, special services, and updates to the website.

Superstition Wilderness Adventures is based out of Gold Canyon, Arizona and provides guided hikes into the beautiful Superstition Mountains. These guided hikes are tailored to your specific wishes and fitness levels. If you want to travel where the famous Lost Dutchman searched for gold, Superstition Wilderness Adventures can make that happen. If you're more of a nature lover and would like to focus on the photographic Superstition Mountains, Superstition Wilderness Adventures can guide you.

Learn more about your Superstition Wilderness tour guides and the services they have to offer.