Parks are in high demand during the entire winter in Phoenix. I was lucky enough to find and opening at Lost Dutchman State Park, in the suburb of Apache Juction, for three nights. Last year they closed down almost half of the park (under much controversy) to retrofit the RV sites with water & power hookups. Opponents argued that the cost was too high, and recouping the costs would take far too long. The park was also losing money (though not much), and was in danger of closing completely. Fundraisers and private donations saved the park, and the retrofit was approved.
Not all sites are complete, which could have been my lucky break. I snagged the last site open for the days I wanted, and it was one with no services. Not a big deal, I was able to fill up the trailer with fresh water on the way in, and had the new generator to provide power. I have little doubt that the entire park would be booked solid if all sites had water & power.
One of the reasons it's so popular.
This is the view from the hiking trail just outside of the campsite.
During the day I had to try out the new throttle cable, so I cruised around town a bit. I think everyone in Phoenix has a car and drives it all day long. The traffic was ridiculous. Checked out some of the locations I'd be heading to in the following days (laundromat, airport), had lunch, and browsed a couple of RV shops for accessories.
Arrived back at the trailer around 4:30 and figured that would be it for the day. Had a light snack and started looking at the hiking trails. Hmm, the "Siphon Draw" trail is listed as four miles round trip and about four hours to complete. A further 0.9 miles (1.8hrs round trip) is a peak called The Flatiron, at 4650 ft. It was now 5:15. Last decent light is about 8:15 and full darkness just past 8:30. Challenge accepted!
I threw a few things in a small backpack and started my hike at 5:25pm - three hours to complete an almost 6hr hike. As I started up the trail, I started to see fellow hikers about a mile or so up the trail. They were all coming down, not going up. I did pass a single hiker about 10minutes in. No way he was making it to the top tonight.
After a lengthy approach, the trail starts to ramp up, and descending more hikers appear. The overt ruggedness of the mountains also begins to show.
About 35 minutes in, a unique feature appears. It's a smooth rock valley (not quite like the slickrock of Moab)...and it's steep. Fortunately, it's also very grippy. I easily walk straight up the smooth wall of rock. From this point forward, the trail is not well defined. You just make your way up an obvious valley.
View down the trail towards Phoenix
45 minute in, I reach the end of the Siphon Trail (unmarked, just going by distance and it's an obvious plateau) and the start of the ascent to The Flatiron (also unmarked). The trail from here is not recommended for anyone but advanced hikers. Two groups of hikers are here and I confirm the correct direction with one of them. I also ask how long to the top, the response is a snarky "about a half hour [laughter]. That's my standard response where ever I am [more cackles]. It's likely about two hours from here." I feel a bit dejected, as I figured it would only be 15 minutes further. They also mention the distance to the black coloured spire (centre/top of the picture below. It's only about an hour. Either way, better get moving.
Looking towards the Flatiron
from the top of the Siphon Trail
The trail was steep before. Now it got near vertical. You had to work your way over & around rock outcroppings and traverse a couple of narrow ledges. Progress was slow and difficult. I pass a couple more groups, neither can believe someone is still on their way up. I can't believe others that are this high up this late. None look like they have proper footwear or clothing. Just a bunch of tourists on a stroll. That's fine for the early hours. Not OK when you're pressed for daylight.
I continue picking my way up the trail and eventually come to a feature I called the Hillary Step. The real Hillary Step is a 40' rock face near the top of Mount Everest. It is the most technical part of the Everest ascent on the South Col route (most popular and arguably easiest route).
The obstacle I had in front of me was a vertical rock face about 15 feet high. I'm guessing many people turn around at this point. If I wasn't a rock climber, I may have as well. I scout a decent line, and scurry to the top. Not difficult, but would be intimidating for a non-climber.
View down the trail looking towards Phoenix
I take have my snack, down a bottle of water, and snap a few pictures.
Once again, looking West towards Phx
Couldn't decide which of these two I liked better
... so I included both
The sun is making a dash for the Pacific
Got close to the black spire, but not quite to it
Why is the spire black when nothing around it is? Sad story. About four months prior, on the eve of Thanksgiving, a plane carrying three men and three children took off from a nearby airport. The pilot either did not know how high these mountains were, or misjudged his location. The plane crashed into this spire, killing everyone aboard. Just after the crash, a fuel tank exploded, setting everything around it on fire. You can read the full story here. Picture of the same model of plane is here.
Time to get back down. I make good time, and reach that solo hiker I had passed at the bottom about 20 minutes into my descent. I tell him how far the top is and that he should think about turning around unless he has a light. The ascent would likely take him at least 40 minutes, and the time was already 7:10. He stopped to think about it while I carried on down.
I continue to pass groups of hikers also descending. The can't believe I've been to the top and back so quickly. I can't believe they're going so slow at such a late hour. Most of them will be finishing their hike in the dark for sure.
Near the bottom now I stop to take a few pictures in the waning light.
Campsite just right & above the short spire
in the middle of the picture
Almost back. I can't remember the final flat
section being so long.
A final look back up
Well, maybe one more
Why panos are better
I reach the bottom at 8:00, 2hrs 35min after I had started. Mission not completely accomplished, but close enough. Time for a dinner and a well deserved beer. Maybe two.
Profile of the hike. Yep, it's a steep one.
