HIKE OF THE MONTH

hike of the month You'll Climb Hand over Foot in the Boulder-infested Gully Called Siphon Draw

We'd read the literary litany written by fellow hikers. Illuminating phrases like "jagged ridge meets the sky," "beauty, adventure, and tremendous challenge," "the towering cliffs of the Superstition Mountains," all peaked our curiosity. We'd heard so much about the hike up Siphon Draw, we had to do it ourselves. Siphon Draw Trail weaves its way to the summit of Flatiron, a flat-topped wedge of rock protruding westward from the Superstition Mountains. From Lost Dutchman State Park, we slipped and slid our way across the gravelly trail for 1.6 miles of gentle uphill incline. At trail's end, the path turns to stone, and I wanted to turn around. But with Flatiron looming ominously over our heads, my enthusiastic husband coaxed me onward. Climbing hand over foot, we tackled the boulder-infested gully that is Siphon Draw. There is no real trail here, although several white arrows pointing the way up beg to differ. Both sides of Siphon Draw have their good and bad parts. Like Charlotte to her web, I clung to walls of rock wondering if we shouldn't have brought the pitons, rope, and helmets. But by using large stones as stairs and wedging my size nine Nikes into tiny crevasses, I climbed my way through the turbulent terrain. Others did not. Along the way, we passed several resting hikers who chose to enjoy the view from where they sat and felt under no obligation to conquer Flatiron. The last few hundred feet of Siphon Draw were the steepest, hardest, and most exhausting. Using tree trunks, branches, and, in my case, a prickly pear, we pulled and tugged our way up the final six-foot ledge to the top. A rush of adrenaline streaked through our veins as we opened stride on the easy trail across the top of Flatiron. There's a dizzying drop as you peer off Flatiron's side. This extreme height must do something to hikers' heads. We watched as one young man got down on all fours and crawled to the edge of the cliff. Only then did he spit over the side and watch it plunge to the floor below. We chose to relish the peacefulness of the moment, gazing out across the twinkling desert and letting our sweat-soaked shirts dry under a warm midday sun. A soft breeze rummaged through the yucca, and a soaring black crow coughed out the occasional squawk. When the whistle blew from the train at Goldfield, lunch hour was over, and it was time to head back down. For once mere words were enough. The Siphon Draw Trail to the top of Flatiron is well worth the seat of your pants as well as a hands and knees crawl on to this spectacular view of the valley. While frightening at times, this heart-pounding hike leaves you with the feeling there's no mountain you can't climb.

WHEN YOU GO

To reach the Siphon Draw Trailhead from Phoenix, take U.S. Route 60 east and exit at Idaho Road, then travel seven miles northeast on State Route 88 to the entrance of Lost Dutchman State Park. There's a $3 entrance fee, and trail maps are supplied by the ranger station. Follow the signs to the trailhead and a small parking lot. The round-trip hike to the top of Flatiron is 4.8 miles and takes about five hours for the average hiker. Wear heavy clothing because, yes, you will use the seat of your pants. A pair of gloves will help to grip boulders and prevent scratches.