Overnight backpacking trip in Superstition Wilderness, Jan 2-3, 2018. Hike begins on Lost Dutchman trailhead 8 miles NE of Apache Junction, AZ. Trails include Lost Dutchman, Second Water, and Black Mesa.
The Saguaro cactus don't start growing arms until they're 70 years old, you hiked by some that were several hundred years old. We are probably hiking up the Peralta trail up past weavers needle, do a couple night loop this April. Should be plenty of water with all the snow on the superstitions right now....Loved the video!!!!
Just came across your video. Made me homesick. I miss the area and now that my youngest has graduated I hope to relocate back to the Valley. Loved hiking the area. Thanks for sharing
You chose one of the popular loop hikes from the First Water Trailhead. There are many interesting landmarks, if you know where to look. You probably passed several unmarked trail junctions that led to camps of cattlemen and miners. Glad to have you share the desert that we natives can explore at our leisure. Great video! and Happy Trails!
Wow what a cool couple!. You two have inspired my wife and I to get back into some hiking even though we are in our early70s!. May we ask what brand of hiking poles you use?. The camera shots of Weavers Needle around 15:50 in the golden sunlight were outstanding!.
Thanks Rick. The hiking poles I use are the REI Carbon EXP Vario 4 however, they have been discontinued. Material is 1/2 carbon and 1/2 aluminum. They were made by Komperdell so a similar offering might be found from them. The wife uses an Easton all aluminum hiking pole but I couldn't find a model number on the pole. If we had to buy a new set, we would choose aluminum with the black foam grips. Aluminum seems a little sturdier vs carbon and handles the scrapes and dings from rocks etc. without splintering like carbon fiber. The foam has better grip, is more comfortable, and warmer compared to the hard cork. We also prefer poles with one adjustment lock near the top and sections that connect to form a smooth lower section without clasps that get hung up on brush, vegetation, etc. Hope that helps. Keep on hiking no matter your age! Mark
@@mhammann57 Thanks for all the answers and inspiration !. We lived in FT Worth (Saginaw ) in the 90s. I worked for Trinity Industries. We defected to New Mexico in 2001 lol.
Great video! I'll be doing a day hike here soon and was wondering what kind of footwear you used. Lowcut shoes or maybe mid boots for more ankle support and protection against cacti?
I wear Salomon Quest 4D GTX boots. Great comfort, support, and protection right out of the box especially for my 250 lbs plus 40 lb pack full of water. Little to no break in - never a blister. Can be a little warm in summer but were not a problem on that hike. Locking lug system allows you to adjust top and bottom laces independently. I see lots of people wearing trail runners but for me, it's all about taking care of my feet & ankles. One wrong step in lightweight footwear will ruin a trip pretty fast not to mention stepping on one of the nasty critters that are common in Arizona. Safe travels. Take lots of water!
@@mhammann57 Thanks for getting back! I will bring my Keen Gypsum II mid boots, then, rather than low-cut hiking shoes I have. I like the ankle support on rocks and roots on steep, forested trails here in New England, so I'm sure I'll need that equally in AZ
Only water I saw was on south side of Dutchman Trail (104)near Parker Pass. It was not more than a seep into a bowl shaped depression not more than a couple of feet wide. Water looked a little nasty. It would be easy to miss if you weren't keeping an eye out for it - especially if you were hiking east. It was somewhat hidden by the vegetation. They have had some rain since our trip so I imagine there might be a better chance of finding water now. When we were there it hadn't rained in three months. Another hiker reported a spring on the second water trail a mile or so past where we turned off on the Black Mesa Trail. Take lots of water just in case!
