PainterWoman

Superstition Mountains, Peralta Trail and Weaver's Needle

Sunday, 4. October 2009, 19:01:30

Weaver's Needle, Superstition Mountains, Arizona, life, Peralta Trail

This was a family outing from about 20 years ago. I just found the photos all taken with my 35mm Pentax K 1000. I have had this camera for over 30 years and am still using it.

Our hike took us through the Peralta Canyon which is on the northeast side of Superstition Mountain range. The trail is appropriately called Peralta Trail which leads to Freemont Saddle. Once through the saddle, there is a very picturesque view of Weaver's Needle.

My two daughers, Kathy at the top and Suzy below, at Freemont Saddle. On the other side is the magestic view of Weaver's Needle.

Wikipedia says “Weaver's Needle is a thousand foot high column of rock that forms a distinctive peak visible for many miles around. Located in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix, Arizona, Weaver's Needle was created when a thick layer of tuff (fused volcanic ash) was heavily eroded, creating the spire as an erosional remnant with a summit elevation of 4553 ft.

Weaver's Needle after going through Freemont Saddle

“Weaver's Needle has played a significant role in the stories of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine. The Needle's shadow reportedly indicates the location of a rich vein of gold, and many treasure hunters have searched for it. The hunt for gold around Weaver's Needle has been pursued by hundreds (possibly thousands) of people and the area is packed with prospect holes and abandoned camp sites, spent cartridge shells, and possibly missing persons.”

This rock formation looks like a PacMan.

Rather ominous looking aren't they?

One of the many odd rock formations in the Superstitions. I don't know if it has an official name but I call it The Great Ape.

A nice comfortable spot for lunch.

Pretty vegetation along the stream. Seems strange to see this amongst all the rocks and cactus.

All along the rocky path, I managed to spot the tiniest little blue flowers.

On the way back, my little nephew got tired so his dad carried him.

The Superstition Mountain Wilderness Area contains approximately 160,200 acres of very rugged mountainous areas. Some areas are very inhospitable. The trails are marked but are sometimes poor and very rocky or almost inaccessible to the inexperienced hiker. Go off trail and you may get lost forever....seriously.

Summertime readingA very old and exciting find

Comments

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FirestarXXX # 4. October 2009, 19:13

Darko # 4. October 2009, 19:23

Beautiful post and photos, no wonder why I always liked Arizona`s lanscapes. Well, it has something to do with cowboy movies, too

FirestarXXX # 4. October 2009, 19:25

hell yea

der Wandersmann # 4. October 2009, 19:25

Yep. It's happened to more than one person. Best to go in in groups, with NO undisciplined children. A body-check at intervals is a good idea.

These are pretty good scans, Pam ... brings back a lot of memories, not of the Superstition Mountains, but of similar country, with the dryness and unexpected little bursts of life's determination.

Oh ... a good pair of snakeproof boots is a good idea, too. I've been thankful for mine a few times. Sometimes you can't see the buggers in time. I never shoot 'em, though ... I haven't been hurt, and even if I were, what good would it do?

FirestarXXX # 4. October 2009, 19:26

wow long comment

der Wandersmann # 4. October 2009, 19:28

I'm old, I'm retired, I got lots of time to write.

FirestarXXX # 4. October 2009, 19:31

? oh.

PainterWoman # 4. October 2009, 19:33

Thanks for your visit Andrew.

Thanks Darko. Arizona IS a beautiful state with a very diverse landscape. This, of course, is the desert mountainous region, maybe 50 miles from where I live, yet 200 miles to the north of me are pine trees, snow and more mountains that are not this jagged.

This particular terrain is very rocky and the trails can change dramatically after a rain and sometimes almost disappear. Our Park Rangers keep a good lookout for trouble spots.

PainterWoman # 4. October 2009, 19:36

dW: I had hiking boots on with two pair of socks. One long thick pair that went half way up my calf and another thinner pair over those. That was my way of keeping myself safe from snake bites. Luckily, we saw no snakes.

There are people who go off hiking alone. Every year, someone gets lost and never found. The authorities will find their vehicle but this area is so huge that's it's almost impossible to find them.

Allan # 4. October 2009, 19:36

Wonderful day out in a landscape I only know from old western movies

PainterWoman # 4. October 2009, 19:40

Allan: Yes, it was a wonderful day during the early winter months. A little cold and cloudy at first but very enjoyable.

PainterWoman # 4. October 2009, 19:48

Thanks Graham. That's sort of how I feel when I see photos of green, rolling hills, forrests and vine covered castles. It's travel time on Opera.

der Wandersmann # 4. October 2009, 19:57

Originally posted by PainterWoman:

There are people who go off hiking alone. Every year, someone gets lost and never found.

In Wisconsin, that would be a UFO abduction. LOLOLOL

Yes, Graham ... very rainy this year, my Scottish Lassie tells me. And a tad chilly, too. I love the Scottish mountains ... you can feel the age in them. You feel like it's the morning of the world.

Andy Wilson # 4. October 2009, 20:21

That last pic made me laugh!

FirestarXXX # 4. October 2009, 20:34

night wolf # 4. October 2009, 20:49

WOW!!
are you sure that's not "Middle earth" in lord of the ring's?

PainterWoman # 4. October 2009, 21:17

Graham and dW: These mountains are sometimes the ones that stop the rainstorms from making it to Phoenix. Phoenix is in a valley surrounded by mountains which is why it's only rained about 3 times this year....at my house anyway.

Andy: Yeah, that pic is a fave of mine. Good thing his underwear was pulled up, otherwise it would have been a 'crack shot'.

Amir: Looks like it doesn't it? I'm sure when people get lost there, that's what they feel like. I'm glad we were in a group.

Graham: Orks? I always thought living in the mountains you'd have a longer life expentancy.

PainterWoman # 4. October 2009, 21:23

BTW, this area, or any of the mountainous areas in Arizona are not recommended for hiking during the summers here because of the extreme heat. Many people do anyway and don't take enough water. Every summer, a few people are rescued from heat exhaustion or injury. Plus, every so often, someone gets in a predicament they can't get out of....like ending up on a ledege they can't get down from. Luckily, they are with other people who go get authorities.

Clance # 4. October 2009, 21:53

Nice album demanding the return of days gone by. This is what I love best about photography, the preservation of time.

slackwrdave # 4. October 2009, 22:26

I guess Phoenix is visible from there? It would be interesting to see how the view of Phoenix has changed over 20 years. I was never much of a hiker, so I just drove or went where I could pedal easily. South Mountain you could just drive up and park. The glimmer and expanse of the city lights were amazing.

PainterWoman # 4. October 2009, 22:55

Graham, if I wrapped myself up in a wet blanket for the night, I wouldn't be able to undo myself in the morning. I wonder why they did that? It doesn't seem like it would warm up after being wet.

Clance, thank you. I've been going through boxes of photos for the last six months and organizing and labeling them. I love it when I find ones I've thought were lost.

Dave, with the photo of The Needle, you are looking northeast. Phoenix would be about fifty miles to the left (west) of the Needle. Maybe higher up you'd be able to see Phoenix.

South Mountain....hmmmm...I remember parking up there a few times.

Stardancer # 5. October 2009, 00:07

Wonderful post, Pam. So many places I'd love to see.

Angeliki # 5. October 2009, 00:18

how wonderful to scan them picture and share with us Pam,
these are wonderful memories,
I hope your kids save these images,
only God knows where the pictures will end up one day... these are precious and I give you a great credit for taking the time to put them together!
thanks for sharing

PainterWoman # 5. October 2009, 02:32

Thanks Star. Since this day trip was twenty years ago, I'm wondering how the trail is now.

Thank you Angeliki. There are about 20 more photos to scan in so I'll have an album of them on here. Finally found the ones of my hike down into the Grand Canyon too. Now THAT was a hike of a lifetime. Will do a post on that soon.

Richard # 5. October 2009, 02:47

Great photos, Pam. That must have been a wonderful trip indeed. I think I may have to explore that area myself.

PainterWoman # 5. October 2009, 02:59

Thanks Richard. It's really a great area. Would like to do a return trip since it has been so long. I'd want to go with a large group like this again but the kids are grown and gone and my brother is in very poor health.

A few miles from this area, but still near The Superstitions, is Tortilla Flat with only a few buildings: a restaurant and saloon, a small museum and not sure what else. A total of 3 people actually live there. Years ago it used to be a stage coach stop. Have heard the steaks and burgers are really good.

Suntana # 5. October 2009, 03:02

Hey, I was just watching The Rifleman on Retro TV this morning and look at what we have here ... genuine Western territory.

Yep, that rock formation does look like either PacMan or a Muppet or a turtle head.

On the photo right after that one, I see either a rabbit or a kangaroo. And an old man's head with a very long beard. And possibly a creature with which Captain Kirk fought in Star Trek.

Really! No, I don't drink.

Two pairs of socks would protect you from snake bites?

MY sure fire 100% guaranteed Snake Bite Free method would be ...

watch photos on a Blog.

PainterWoman # 5. October 2009, 03:11

Yeah, high leather boots to the knee would have been much better.....or chaps.

The Rifleman! Haven't seen that in 40 years!

I saw the rabbit and old man with the beard too. I'd sure hate to be roaming around there at dusk or later. All those rock formations would start moving!

Angeliki # 5. October 2009, 03:55

Originally posted by PainterWoman:

Will do a post on that soon.

Looking forward to it,
and thank you very much for sharing!

Carol # 5. October 2009, 05:04

Hi Pam, great post. Looking forward to your new one too.

Darko # 5. October 2009, 05:08

Originally posted by PainterWoman:

I wonder why they did that?

It is well known that wool warms the best when it is wet but I don`t think it would be great to put it in the water first

slackwrdave # 5. October 2009, 05:18

Originally posted by PainterWoman:

near The Superstitions, is Tortilla Flat with only a few buildings: a restaurant and saloon, a small museum and not sure what else.

There was, and still may be, a post office window there. If you're into somewhat rare postmarks, you can take a few things to mail.

I worked in Apache Junction for a short time, a long time ago. This is bringing back memories.

I love old print scans. This has been great.

Norfrid # 5. October 2009, 07:12

Isn't it wonderful! I've joined you on a twenty years old hike in Arizona this morning. And the scenery was so different from what I'm used to see. Didn't have to worry about snakes either. Thank you for a nice trip!

Henar # 5. October 2009, 08:21

Wow! Beautiful landscapes!!!!! I´d love to see them... and such fantastic photos! Landscapes like those really inspire you to create, and especially photograph, don´t they?

PainterWoman # 5. October 2009, 17:55

Angeliki: I think my next post will be an art one, then the Grand Canyon one.

Carol: Thank you.

Dave: Glad it's bringing back memories. Apache Junction is alive and well. There is the Rennaisance Festival there every year. I haven't been in awhile so it's time to go this year.

Norfrid: Thank you. That's why I like Opera so much. I can travel to so many different places.

Henar: Thank you. Some of those rock formations certainly make my imagination go wild. Maybe that's where my 'Rabbit Man' came from.

PainterWoman # 5. October 2009, 17:58

Darko: I had no idea about the wool warming best when it is wet. Have never heard that.

Carol # 5. October 2009, 17:58

You are welcome Pam.

der Wandersmann # 5. October 2009, 18:34

Pam, sailors are cautioned to wear wool socks when sailing small craft in cold water, because wool will still keep you warm when wet. I learned this on the Penobscot Bay in Maine, which is plenty plenty cold, even in Summer.

Campers and outdoorsmen have a saying that is especially applicable in high country: "cotton kills". Cotton does NOT keep you warm when it's wet, even wet with sweat, and people can become seriously chilled wearing it.

scott cumming # 5. October 2009, 20:11

very interesting post. loved looking at the pictures. that weavers needle is stunning. i must go there someday.
one of those ridges looks like an owl and a jack rabbit.

Suntana # 5. October 2009, 20:23

I try to avoid wool. It is itchy.

Edward Piercy # 5. October 2009, 20:28

Very wild territory. I wouldn't go in there without a rifle. Too many yahoos.

Not your group, of course.

Great pics, Pam, especially of Weaver's Needle.

FirestarXXX # 5. October 2009, 21:20

CSS help please anybody ive been waiting 2 weels for it to show up top AND backround

PainterWoman # 5. October 2009, 21:31

dW: I guess growing up in the desert, wool blankets weren't needed. My parents did bring one from Indiana but it was packed away.

Scott: Yes, the Needle is really something. I'm not sure, but I don't think we could see it at all untill we went through the Saddle. I saw the rabbit too. Not the owl though until you mentioned it. It seemed to me to be an old man with a beard.

Carlos: I don't like wearing wool either. I used to have a wool scarf to wrap around your neck and I ended up giving it away.

Ed: Extremely rugged and wild territory for sure. My brother was familiar with the area and had been there before. Not sure who he ever went with but he might have gone alone. He is unable to do anything like this now.

Andrew: I'm sorry you're having trouble with your blog. If I knew anything at all about CSS, I'd help you.

FirestarXXX # 5. October 2009, 21:31

Suntana # 5. October 2009, 22:08

Firestar, I commented on your Blog regarding your CSS Help inquiry.

Linda # 6. October 2009, 02:04

Pam I really enjoyed this post. That actually looks like a gorilla. And the picture with the strange rock formations looks like statues of ancient gods somewhere on another planet.

PainterWoman # 6. October 2009, 05:40

Thanks Linda. Yeah, this area is filled with other worldly forms. Some people camp out here. You couldn't pay me to.