On Friday, Sept 20, I hiked a little over 13 miles starting from Four Peaks TH (in McDowell Mountain Regional Park). After hiking through the competitive track area, I wound up on Pemberton and then took Dixie Mine to the South Wash. I then hiked this wash back to the competitive track area, taking the Long Loop back to the parking lot.
Four Peaks from the parking lot:
Another parking lot photo, this time of some saguaros with the Superstitions (including Weaver’s Needle and the Flatiron) as the background.
A view of Red Mountain from the Technical Loop:
Looking back towards the Superstitions from my ascent of T-Bone Ridge (still on the Technical Loop):
Another view of Red Mountain as I descend T-Bone Ridge on the west side:
Red Mountain again, but this time I’m in Stoneman Wash:
Looking toward the McDowells from one of Stoneman’s feeder washes:
A view from the Dixie Mine Trail:
In the South Wash now…
We’ve gotten quite a lot of rain since my hike on the 20th, but it has been very dry for a very long time before that. Thus, I was surprised to see these flowers in the wash.
I like the high vertical banks of the South Wash.
The wash goes on and on – perhaps a quarter of the hike takes place in the South Wash.
Mule deer antler:
Looking toward Four Peaks from near the Long Loop:
Looking towards the Superstitions, again from the Long Loop:
Chia:
Gary Wietgrefe says:
Quite a hike! Those washes are always interesting.
September 25, 2019 — 10:36 am
Linda says:
Wow, the first picture of Four Peaks is just spectacular!!!! The second picture of Flatiron, Red Mountain and Weaver’s Needle is also really nice! Did we hike that South Wash one time a couple of summer’s ago….when I got maybe a bit over heated? Really like to do it again sometime in the cooler weather…….
September 25, 2019 — 1:16 pm
Kevin says:
Yes, you and I (and others) have hiked the South Wash a number of times.
September 25, 2019 — 1:24 pm
jon levereenz says:
Great sunrises. Jon
September 25, 2019 — 7:20 pm