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This trail takes you up the western face of the Superstition Mountains. It’s one of the best places to view Mexican Gold Poppies. This year should be fantastic. The first 1.3 miles takes you up a canyon to chute with a waterfall. You can continue beyond the falls on an unmaintained trail to the top of the canyon, called The Flat Iron.
Go now, while the state park (Lost Dutchman) from which you access this trail is still open. The park, one of 13 the state has decided to close, will no longer be open to the public (unless Apache Junction annexes the land), in June 2010.
Trail: Siphon Draw Trail
Length: 1.4 to 2.3 miles one way
Elevation: 2,080 to 3,100 feet
Difficulty: Moderate (first 1.4 miles) to Difficult (last 0.9 miles)
Contact: Lost Dutchman State Park – 480-982-4485
The Hike: The trail starts on a reasonable grade on an old road that heads toward the west face of the Superstition Mountains called The Flat Iron. During February and March, the bajadas that border the precipitous cliffs fill with colorful bands of wildflowers. The flowers appear at about mile 0.3, just past the junction with Jacob’s Trail. At about mile 0.8, the trail becomes bouldered and starts high-stepping up the mountain. The path veers south to cross a section of the west face of the Superstitions, then jogs east again to enter the draw at bout mile 1.
The trail continues its obsessive climb through a landscape made up of a strange mix of smoothly sculptured canyon walls and chiseled columns of ruddy tuff as it picks through boulders, skirts ledges and clamors across slickrock. The maintained portion ends on a basin piled with boulders in the shadows of a tangle of mesquite trees.
Just beyond the maintained portion, a path leaves the shadows and picks through a rock-ribbed ledge to a slickrock chute. Shuffle up the chute to a small platform where a waterfall may be active if there has been recent wet weather. If you are an experienced hiker who likes the challenge of exposed scrambling, you can follow the footpath another 0.9 miles to the to the top of the Flat Iron; otherwise, return the way you came.
If you continue on the unmaintained part, the route becomes a dicey beaten path that climbs up steep walls; squeezes through, or climbs over, boulders; and scrapes past raspy patches of scrub oak. Cairns may guide you along the raucous path, and sometimes you have more than one path from which to choose. Your route-finding skills must match your sense of adventure.
Getting There: From US 60, go north on Arizona 88 in Apache Junction for 5 miles to the signed entrance for Lost Dutchman State Park. Follow the main road to the Siphon Draw trailhead.
Leave no trace: Stay on the trail. Pack out what you pack in. Bury human waste 6 to 8 inches in the ground, 200 feet from water sources or camp. Wash away from water sources.
Special considerations: There is a $5 ($7 in March) admission fee into the park. Inexperienced hikers or hikers uncomfortable with heights and exposed areas should not attempt the last section of this trail.
Disclaimer: Risk is always a factor in backcountry and mountain travel. Though the above article points out some potential hazards, it is your responsibility to learn the necessary skills for backcountry travel and exercise caution in potentially hazardous areas, as well as use a map and proper gear. All liability for injury or other damage caused by this activity is the sole responsibility of you, the reader.
