Hike: Boulder Canyon Trail (103) Superstition Mountains
Seems when Kimberly and I get out on a Saturday or Sunday for a great hike I seem to enjoy it more, and get more addicted to hiking each and every time. This feeling continued yesterday when we spent a near perfect day out East of Phoenix in the Superstition Mountains on the Boulder Canyon Trail (103) (close by Canyon Lake). After the hike we also enjoyed the rest of the day in the area by scooting over to Tortilla Flats for an ice cream, and hitting Goldfield Ghost Town for a wake up coffee then a chill-out libation with some live country tunes at the ‘local’ saloon.
Talk about getting lucky, we had long figured our nearby ‘Desert Hikes’ were over until late Fall comes around. But a system brought in a huge weather aberration and near perfect hiking temps. Last week we had 110 degrees in the shade, yesterday was 75 as a high - amazing. There were slight sprinkles but nothing major, and being a relatively tough hike, we appreciated the cool temps heading uphill where this old man was sweating away even at 70 degrees.
The Boulder Canyon Trail is one of the first hikes we ever did in Arizona. In 1995 we took the (then 3rd and 4th grade) sons of ours out and hit the same trail. We did about 5 miles worth that day and due to crazy hot temperatures, lots of elevation and poor drinking water planning (hey we were new to Phoenix) we never did make our goal of hitting the creek. So this was our ‘make up’ hike. Aside from the water bit that old hike had another experience that taught us about desert hiking (just ask now 24 yr old Mike about tripping near ugly sword like cactus).
All told we did only about 8 miles total, but with a little exploration of one of the creeks, checking out the abandoned Indian Paint Mine, taking pictures, and enjoying a nice lunch with a beautiful view again, it was more than enough. Five hours total and another 4,000 Net elevation gain. This hike also had a little drama and the Mrs. had a brief period of non enjoyment following a particularly deep growl from a nearby location. Yes, there are some, shall we call them “kitty-cats” out there. I’m okay with the Cats, it’s more the Mama Bears that I don’t want to run into. By the way, the growl was more that of a Mountain Lion (AZ variety pic here) than a Bobcat, but I told Kimberly it was likely just a small little Bobcat - so let’s keep that our secret okay?
We had gotten to the trailhead by about 8:50 or so (up at 5:15) so we were off by 2:00. Seeing Tortilla Flats is only a short 2 miles from Canyon Lake and the trail, and wanting to fully replicate that day 10 years ago, we just HAD to go over there and have some ice cream. Grabbed some Pecan Praline and pulled up a rock on the creek….life is good. We then left Tortilla Flats, and stopped by Goldfield on our way back trough Apache Junction. That place is growing, a little touristy, but hey, sometimes that funky kitschy old west vibe goes good with a beer and a burger… Speaking of which we passed on there and came home and grilled up a couple of nice ones to close out the day.
Wonder how other folks spend their Saturdays?!! PICTURES HERE