Flatiron ( Siphon Draw ) Trail
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Total hiking distance covered (accurate to within 21 feet per the GPS) 5.79 Miles
Total time on trail 5 hrs 38 minutes Total moving time 3 hours 37 minutes
Maximum elevation 4,633 feet Starting elevation 2,200 feet Total ascent 2,433 feet
Calories burned ( Mine) 2,673
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| Flatiron trail |
The Flatiron (Siphon Draw) hike in the Superstition Mountains is much more than just a day hike. Where it starts out on a well marked trail, it becomes a technical climbing challenge, which is not clearly marked during the last one third of the distance. Had we not had a guide who had done the hike before, we more than likely would have never reached the summit. To get to the hike we had to drive to Apache Junction, proceed up the Apache Trail and enter the Lost Dutchman State Park. There is an entry fee per vehicle, but there are facilities near the trailhead.
There were seven of us who made the hike on January 5, 2006. All seven are experienced hikers and the hike was a challenge to each and every one of us. We started out from the trailhead at about 8 AM and proceeded toward the Superstition Mountains which appeared to be about ½ a mile away. The trail is a gradual climb going up and down a bit and crossing some dry river beds. After exiting the Lost Dutchman State Park, we entered the Tonto National Preserve. About ¾ of a mile into the hike we passed what appeared to be a mine adit which had been covered over for safety. This is where the trail started to become steeper. The grade to here had been averaging around 10 % to this point in my estimation so we were making good time.
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| The Hikers | The Trailhead |
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| A mine entrance? | Looking toward the trailhead |
. Although the grade had steepened some, we continued to make good time even stopping to take in the vista of Arizona that the higher elevation presented. We could even make out Camelback and Squaw Peak some 40 miles in the distance. At about two miles into the hike our progress hit a snag. At 2,874 feet the trail became much harder to find and very steep. I would estimate at this point the grade had increased to about 30% and we were informed that it would get steeper. Our guide Wayne Muellenbach asked us all to keep our eyes open and watch for white painted spots on the rocks which would indicate that we were going in the right direction. Within a few hundred yards we came to the “Slide”. Some glacially cleaned rock surfaces with no rock covering. Here we had to go up using our boot traction to keep from slipping back. There are two such slides, each being about 75 feet to cross. We continued to remind each other that by continuing up, we were committing ourselves to going back down the same area.
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| The trail up, (Flatiron in center of picture) | A break! |
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| Onward | The Slide |
After crossing the slides the grade became steeper and required us to climb over boulders. At this point I opted to abandon hiking with my trekking poles and I attached them to my pack. I knew I needed my hands for more than holding my poles. When asked, Wayne informed us that we still had a long way to go, but it wouldn’t get much worse except in one place where there was a tree to assist us.
As we continued on the grade increased more and more to a point where it was at least 100% or more (over a 45 degree slope). As we continued on, some other hikers passed us on their descent. They informed us to be careful on the Flatiron due to high winds making it unsafe to get to the edge. As if some of us didn’t feel unsafe already. We had only covered less than a third of a mile, and ascended 833 feet to 3,707 feet when we arrived to the point where the tree had been. Yes, I said “had been”. It was no longer there and we were confronted by a rock chimney. This chimney is a vertical split in the rocks which we must climb by finding hand and foot holds. Although it was only 8 to 10 feet, none of us are experienced climbers, just hikers and this presented a real challenge. By assisting each other, we did make it up the chimney regretting that we would sooner or later go back down the same route.
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| Crossing the Slide | The Slide again |
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| Up we go! | Steeper yet |
The trail remained about as steep and at 4,397 feet we climbed over the rim and onto the plateau. Turning to our right, we could see the Flatiron. The trail had now flattened to a normal and we preceded the last 1/8th of a mile or so to the Flatiron. As we had been informed, the winds were wild so we all took precautions getting near the edge. From our lofty location, the view of Arizona is spectacular. We could see from Tucson to Phoenix with no problem at all. We all knew at this time, the hike was worth all of the effort that we put into it.
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| Flatiron from the rim | The plateau at the rim |
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| We made it! | And we're not even tired. |
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| View toward Phoenix | Here we are! |
After taking a break, we proceeded back down the way we had come up. On our way down, we did find that we had taken one wrong turn which we corrected. At least the final destination ended up the same, it was just a little easier a route for a few yards. As we approached the return to the trailhead we were all glad to be back. The hike was spectacular but a very challenging task. Anyone who wants to do this hike should be in very good shape and remember, this is far more than just a hike. Camelback, Echo Canyon would be a good training for the Flatiron but is a far easier hike. I would also recommend that anyone doing the Flatiron, bring gloves. You do a lot of hanging on and pulling yourself up over boulders.
The Hikers
Ira Ungar Wayne Muellenbach (Guide) Shiley Samulson
Wayne Dambach Ruth Dambach Barbara McGovern
Larry Wayt
Larry Wayt (larry@live2hike.org)