A challenging hike!!!

On Friday, March 5, Gerry, Jack and Mary went hiking in the Superstition Mountains from the Lost Dutchman State Park. Gerry and his wife, Dia, had hiked this trail before and had not finished the trail to the top of the Flatiron. Gerry had always wanted to get to the top so we began hiking fairly early in the morning. It was cool and bright as only Arizona mornings can be. The first 1.5 miles were a slow elevation gain and only small boulders to hike over. We passed the "thumb" rock - a landmark before the trail turns left up Siphon Draw. This is a huge gully or wash from rains in the upper mountain area and is full of boulders, large and small. After this turn, we had to climb some more and then the views opened up to the "bowl" - slippery sheer rock face to scramble up as we followed the small stream to the top and the saddle. Jack and I climbed over the saddle but found that after that point, it became too steep with some huge boulders to climb and rock faces to manuever up and over, so we turned around and headed down - in itself a difficult feat managed by some sliding on one's rear end. Gerry, though, continued on and finally got the the top of the Flatiron!! A remarkable feat that he said was the most challenging thing he has ever done - one rock face was 12' of small toe holds. The top is 4800' elevation and a panoramic view. Way to go, Gerry!