Hiking the Superstition Ridgeline Trail - Is this the toughest hike in the Valley?
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- Опубліковано 22 бер 2020
- Hiking the Superstition Ridgeline Trail - Is this the toughest hike in the Valley?
I've done Flatiron. I hiked past it to Hill 5024 even. From there, you can see miles into the Superstition Wilderness. At that moment on Hill 5024, I never expected that I would hike all the way across that wilderness.
A few months later and Tina and I were looking for a challenge. I threw out the idea of a trail I had heard about but NEVER thought I would do: The Superstition Ridgeline Trail. It almost seemed like a myth. Most people I talked to had never heard of it. None had done it.
Challenge accepted.
We packed up the lightest set of overnight gear we could. We weren't sure if we wanted to spend the night or just day hike it.
You can start the Superstition Ridgeline Trail from the Siphon Draw trailhead or the Carney Springs trailhead. Either way, you have to spot a car at one end or the other. Carney Springs is steep, but Flatiron is steep and known for being slick. Since it had been raining for several days before our hike, we (wisely) chose to go up Flatiron and out Carney Springs.
Soon enough, we were on top of Flatiron and heading on past the saddle and into the Superstition Wilderness. The views were incredible from start to finish. The challenge was brutal and seemed like it went on forever.
I'll let the video tell the story, but obviously we made it. The Superstition Ridgeline Trail left us with great memories, bruised egos and really sore legs. But it's done, and now I can brag about it. So if you like views and punishment, the Superstition Ridgeline Trail may be for you.
(I won't be doing it again.)
You ask if that is the hardest trail in AZ. My answer from Germany; "No, no, no! Is harder to see that wonderful video and to know, you never again can do it with my 80 years!"
Nobody does a better “Outdoors “ video than you & Tina. Thank you.
The saying, “they died within sight of their destination” went through my mind while watching this! 😎
Definitely one of the hardest hikes I have done. Brings back memories, both the good and the muscle cramps! You guys are fun to watch!
Thanks! And agreed. Ridgeline is a beast.
Always love the End clips!
Just found your videos this morning. Very entertaining. Thanks.
Beautiful views!!👍🏻😎
You two are GREAT. SO funny.
We called that last peak the “Fortress of Doom” when we hiked it. It was just so defeating seeing it. Lol. Such a great hike though! It’s been a year and a half since I hiked it and still, when I pass the superstitions, I think to myself, “ I conquered that b1tch!”
Nothing quite like driving by and looking at that entire hike from the highway and thinking "I walked all the way across that". It's been about long enough that I forgot the suck and am ready for another shot when it cools down.
I just did this last week solo. Admittedly going solo was straight stupid. Won’t do that again. Too many places where a mishap would be tragic. My kids love me.
The hike up flat iron was indeed a CLIMB and not a hike. Many spots required thoughtful handholds and footholds. Can’t imagine doing it with those big ol packs like you. I packed to travel light and fast thinking I could jog most of the Ridgeline. WRONG. Very little is runnable. Unlike you, I descended at Gold Canyon and came out at Heiroglyphic Trail. My GPS said 11 miles on the dot and 4000’ of climbing. No joke. Temps were low 40s to low 50s on top and low 70s by the time I popped out the bottom. Was thinking I wouldn’t want to do it any warmer than that because of the water use required. Cool temps really kept me light. I did that distance in 5.3 hours. Lost the trail on the Ridgeline several times and spent maybe 40 min or more looking for it again in total.
As you demonstrated, phenomenal views and a great day. I was pretty knackered when I got done. Next time I’ll do the full pull to Carney Springs but slow down to ease my body.
Thanks for the video. Good job clicking it off.
Definitely a rough trail. I went back and camped at the turn off to Heiroglyphics. Looked better than Carney for getting down, but there's really no easy way. Still, an amazing trail with great views. I'll be back.
Man those outtakes are great! Tina cracks me up! I cant drag my wife on adventures like that...she has a time limit of 4 hours...after that she expires!
She's definitely a good sport. She has to be if I'm around.
Loved the video yall. Thanks!
Loved it. Excellent vid.
What an awesome video! As cool as it gets!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Such a gorgeous hike! Thanks for sharing your experience with us
You two are great, love the videos and the tips. You have the best hiking page I've found for Az and the surrounding areas.... thanks again..... 😀
Loved the video. Now this hike is stuck in my craw. Gotta do it someday
Super place! Very nice! 🇫🇮🍻
I've heard the fame of and have seen pictures of the Superstition Mountains, but this was my first "video view". Followed along on Google Earth, which really put it in perspective. Wow, can only imagine how tough the prospectors of old must have been. Much respect to your lovely wife, she is a "trooper", thank you both for the video. I watched this while eating breakfast and it made me so tired I had to take a nap....
Ha! Glad you enjoyed. The Supes are amazing. Ridgeline is a beast though.
The flowers are beautiful this time of year 😍
Good to see such a detailed run of ridgeline. It definitely looked harder than the reviews on Alltrails made it seem. The mileage alone is tough but with all that elevation...yeah.
Well, don't let us discourage you. Some people don't have problems with that type of elevation gain and loss. We do. If you're one of those people, it might not bother you. We also had overnight gear because we weren't sure if we wanted to camp or not. The extra weight definitely didn't help. Not that it's easy. But I've heard people claim to do it in less than half the time we took. Just depends on your abilities.
Nice views on your video. I like the 3-pine camping area. Each time I see it there is a different look. I noticed on your flatiron ascent you were hiking on some loose rock. That was probably the right side of the drainage. The left side is actually the right side. There are hiking options on the ridge. Choices will determine a longer or shorter hike. Many hikers take a detour to "bag" the Superstition Peak. Of course that will add time to the hike. You did well in managing some of the tough spots, especially the "crevice" climb. I never saw that much water in the wash you crossed before approaching the Carney Springs saddle. Whichever route is taken legs feel like rubber coming down. Congratulations on a successful hike and scenic video.
I have a bad habit of putting my head down and going forward. I knew we were off track on that part of flatiron, but it was doable, so I kept moving forward. Last time I did it I was further to the left, but even then not on the right trail. Figured that out once we were at the top. Someone right near the top was injured...on the right trail. It's a beautiful and brutal hike, for sure.
You guys kicked ass.
Great video. I’ve hiked up Flat, Carney, and up Hieroglyphics trail but haven’t done the whole Ridgeline yet. Hopefully can hit it this year.
I really need to do Hieroglyphics. I hear it's great, especially after a rain.
So Magical!!! Thank You Both!
Will visit Arizona this summer.Your videos have been a great source of info!Awesome job revealing the beauty of Arizona!Thanks You two.Jerry be careful that camera is gonna be uncomfortable.
Fabulous footage of how it actually is! Just completed it last Sunday. Wasn't intending to go beyond Flatiron...but...met a COSAR volunteer along the way who was going the whole way and who had extra food and water and a car at the other end!! We had water filters so we did the whole thing in one day walking out with headlamps!
That's awesome! Hat off to you for doing it without planning to! I just went back a couple weeks ago and had forgotten how rugged it is. The hike down Carney Springs is especially brutal.
@@JerryArizona on the other hand...we stopped about .25 mile from top of Battleship ... could NOT figure out the last scramble and...didn't want summit fever to get the best of us nor have to walk out of that one in the dark! How you managed to negotiate the scramble WHILE videoing is beyond comprehension !!!
Hats off to you and Tina for your video of that one!
We hiked down Boulder and did the loop out through LaBarge.
Again, your channel is addictive as are all the late fall/winter/early spring options in AZ!
Your wife is hilarious 😂 I’m about to do the ridgeline for the first time this weekend!! Ahh I’m so excited
You guys will love it. I'm interested what it looks like after the fire. I hear it's burned, but still great views. Enjoy.
How was it?? I really want to go, too!
Awesome hiking expereince! Love watching the video and seeing the trail. Me and my gf would love to hike that area for sure!
A high school buddy went out here and reached up to balance himself on the rocks and put his hand right down on a diamondback rattlesnake that bit him. He was unable to get help and passed away. That happened in the 90's.
Love the adventures. Seems like every time I research a hike prior to doing it I end up on your videos. Looking to do the ridgeline soon. I also told myself never again after the first time on flatiron 😅 but the area is just too alluring.
Ha! Flatiron has a way of doing that. "NEVER AGAIN!" and then a few months later I'm climbing it thinking "Why am I doing this?" Definitely recommend Ridgeline. I've gone again since this video and it's as brutal and amazing as I recall. Bring plenty of water and if you're doing it in a day, go light and as fast as you can. And just know if you're going down Carney Springs, when you think you're done, you're a long way from done.
Did this run as an out and back yesterday, which is about 17 miles round trip from Dutchman lot to Super Peak. It’s very doable and you don’t have to shuttle.
My current goal is to be able to do what you did. Every time I think something is difficult, someone in better shape and conditioning does something I didn't think possible like you, doing an entire loop as a day hike. Difficulty is definitely relative and determined by personal ability and fitness level. Nice job being able to knock that out.
Just did this hike yesterday but opposite direction. Related to every feeling and comment in the video. How could there possibly be another saddle.... Great editing btw.
Thanks! Great hike. I do not think I would ever want to climb up Carney Springs though! That has to be worse than Flatiron.
Im from wisconsin so hiking (with hunting gear) is my thing and I'm only 26 so I'm in fair condition knock on wood,, but this was my EXACT reaction. As far as starting out.....oh hell yeah this is awesome let's go!!!! Get to the top alright...shit I'm tired. Get to the bottom, I'm NEVER doing that again! As I'm planning a trip with my gf brother to go back out this spring🤣
Great hike! Makes me wanna hit that trail before it gets too hot!
Still a great time for the Supes. Although I read some of the streams may be a little swollen now because of the recent rains. (Not this one, since it's up so high.)
Wonderful video! When hiking in AZ what scares me (after a personal experience) are the bees.
Brutal is an understatement
An absolute beast of a hike.
Great hike. The views are amazing but it might be too many miles for me. lol
I loved this trail and totally plan to do it again, maybe camp along it. I did this one with a few others Thanksgiving week. Battleship on Monday, half of Weavers needle loop on Wednesday, the Ridgeline up Flatiron on Friday, and the whole Weavers needle loop on Sunday by way of Bluff Springs for better views of the Needle. Weavers Needle loop and the Ridgeline are now my favorite 2 trails in the Superstitions.
If you aren't afraid of heights and exposure, check out Battleship Mountain. I feel like those are the best views in the Superstitions. Tough but really run hike. We did it from First Water, but I think it would be more scenic to go from Boulder Canyon (Canyon Lake).
I did the Ridgeline last year and loved it. Going to do it from Flatiron to the Peak, and back, this Saturday.
Just went back and did Ridgeline again.....video coming soon, but it kicked my behind. Mainly due to my physical condition and not the trail. Still, beautiful trail. I love the Supes.
Oh my gosh on the length! Alltrail usually more optimistic. Buttom line, its a killer hike so follow these instructions: go light, start before the light, bring light and dont ask your wife how was flatiron 😂
P.s.
Min 14:17, them wifes... we do a move, they make us look goofey!
I kind of make it my job to irritate Tina.....so I can't abide by that last instruction.
we did the flat iron trail in January, and that was a very difficult height. I'd definitely want to do the Ridgeline Trail the next time I'm up there.
Good training for Mt Whitney!
lol
Just finished this hike with some buddies! So challenging but rewarding. We finished it in 8.5 hours and AllTrails said it was 12.5 miles for us.
That's just our sense of humor. Nothing negative meant by it. I understand what you are saying though. Hopefully you can look beyond it and enjoy the rest of the video. We try to be as authentic as possible and...well, like I said, that's just our humor.
@@JerryArizona I’m confused?
@@XxSeeTrebbssxX I bet....wow. That was my reply to a totally different comment! And I swear I was on the right one when I answered you. Makes me wonder if it's some glitch and now how many other people are scratching their heads like you are because my comments got messed up.
Strange. I just looked and all my other replies went to the right comments. I must've messed something up. Anyway, glad you got to hike Ridgeline. I hope to get back and do it again soon.
Yeah Superstition is no joke. The newbies always get flown back down haha.
It was really, REALLY slick that way. I'm sure that was not their only rescue.
three times on that trail and the last two were great
def the best hike in the sups IMO, I did it from east to west though. Probably will go back and just do it both ways so as not to worry about a car shuttle
The Ridgeline is no joke. We did this hike in one day starting at 03:00 am and oh boy... my legs were dancing the salsa at the end 😂
Ridgeline is an absolute beast. Everyone says Flatiron is the toughest hike in the Valley, but you have to hike Flatiron so you can start Ridgeline.
No, the trails around Peralta are harder because they are so overgrown and terribly marked. So easy to get lost.
I did Peak 5057 2 weeks ago. Plan on backpacking the Ridgeline before summer.
It's a great hike. Enjoy!
Sorry Jerry, she;s right. I would not have given you a ride if you were hitching with that outfit on.
Loved Flatiron!
It's a classic in the Supes. Hopefully knock it out again this winter.
Thank you for sharing and love your videos! Can you also list your camera info please? I think you used GoPro, with or without mic?
I've started putting camera info in the description. But I think this one was filmed on GoPro 8's. (May have been a 7.) I don't use an external mic. Hate the sound, but I find if I get too complicated with the camera gear, I don't use it. So it just ends up being what it is. I do play around with leveling, de-noise, etc. in post to try to clean it up as best as I can.
I was doing broadway trailhead when two college kids came the other way...they had gone up siphon draw, come out Peralta trailhead and took the Goldmine trail all the way back to broadway trailhead...over 20 miles...I poop out after 3 miles...
That's insane. I'm going to do this trail again, but I'm doing it in two days.....
So what do you think of Flatiron?
Tina was truly ready to kill me. But that's just how I am. She knows what she got into.
Great hike, good job to the both of you...I have 2 questions, why the huge packs on your day hike if not going to overnite? and why not use trecking poles?
Well....We brought the packs thinking we would like to have the option to stay overnight. Plus we were training for the Grand Canyon. But we were making good time and REALLY wanted Mexican food, so we powered through in a day. As for poles, I was focused on the Flatiron portion of the hike where you need your hands free and decided not to take them. Tina followed my lead since she hadn't hiked it before. They would have been useful in parts, for sure, but I didn't feel like messing with them in the scrambling parts.
Completed this with poles; could not have otherwise due to uphill leg-lifts and downhill drops to ensure stability and the ability to use my knees another day.
Lesson learned
Flatiron one day
Ridgeline another
This would have been a different trip if we'd just STOPPED and camped. We had the gear. But for some reason we decided to just keep going. Poor decision; go light and do it in a day, or bring gear and split it into two days, for sure.
Hi Jerry awesome video. So the Carney springs trailhead is the same as wave cave trailhead rite? Where did you park your vechicle and how did u come back to the same spot? Can you share the trail details if possible. TIA.
Yeah, same trailhead as Wave Cave. We parked a truck there, then another at Siphon Draw, then walked back to Carney Springs. Most people do it the opposite direction. I think the logic is they want to go down Siphon Draw and not up it. Both sides have their advantages and disadvantages. I was very happy we chose the way we did since it had just rained for three days straight and Siphon Draw was very slick. We also brought gear for overnight, but decided to push all the way through. Any other questions, let me know.
Thank you 😊
Most difficult hike i have done in the valley. Harder than Grand Canyon R2R. Came down siphon draw in the datk. Lost the trail along the way a dozen times.
Hard to find the trail above siphon draw in the daylight. Still a fun hike though.
@@JerryArizona one and done for me, Jerry!
I really enjoy your videos and the beautiful scenery. What I have listened to all day is how unhappy you are with your hike! Change your perspective. You are doing something most of us will not or cannot accomplish. That’s why we watch. I have hiked and have beaten my butt doing it. I have felt so happy at my accomplishment. But the complaining and whining is beneath what you have accomplished.
True. But we suffer along the way. I feel that too many people only show the summits and views and skip over how hard you have to work to get there. And when we suffer, Tina and I complain. Honestly we don't really hate it or we wouldn't hike. The accomplishment from working through the tough parts feels great and is part of the process. I just forget sometimes that when I post the videos, our unfiltered talk on the trail is going out to an audience.
Thank you, Jerry AZ. I like the banter. And I have felt like dying and hopeless trying to get back to the car ( had to have hip surgery), but it takes away from your challenge. I know you are a funny man. Say it once or twice. Then let it go. I would have liked to know about the cacti, or the history of the Superstions.
You have to put your ‘happy feet’ on!
Ironically, I just posted a video with the sole message of taking time to have fun. So I hear you.
We are all under so much pressure, anticipating change and pain. So glad for the reminder to have fun. I need some of that, too! I look forward to watching that. You and your wife are still very funny.
@@carolejameson9261 Suggestion to Jerry, 'Say it once or twice. Then a few more times.' Each time I laughed more!
Toughest Hike in the Phoenix area I have been on. Went the same direction as you did in 2013. Lost the toenails on both big toes as a result of going down the Carney Springs side. Enjoyed going up Syphon Draw. Hated the section northwest of Superstition Peak; could not get into a rhythm on that section.
That was where we really started to suffer. We had overnight packs, but for some reason, the truck looked close and we decided to go on. Big mistake. If we'd have just camped and done that part fresh in the morning, it would've been much more enjoyable. Still, I really, REALLY want to do it again.
To cool.
It's a great hike. Did it again earlier this year. Still fun even after the fire.
Hopefully you could recover good enough from this excusting hike.The vies you showed were incrediable.
Nice vid. What action cam and vid editing software are you using?
For this hike, just a GoPro 8. Love the stabilization. Sometimes I'll take a Canon EOS R, but for less rugged hikes. That needs a gimbal and the whole thing is just too bulky, heavy, and fragile. I edit everything in Premiere Pro.
Is the hike up Ridgeline harder than the hike up Camelback Mountain (Echo Canyon Trail)? I've hiked that several times but I'm a little intimidated by the Superstition mountains
Ridgeline is definitely harder. I think it's double the elevation of Camelback (or fairly close to that.) Still, I recommend the Supes. Start on Peralta to the Fremont Saddle or Boulder Canyon out as far as you want. Work up from there. Plenty of easier hikes, but somehow 1,000' of elevation gain in the Supes is harder than the same elevation gain anywhere else.
From what AllTrails says, it looks like this hike is nearly equivalent to hiking to the bottom of the Grand Canyon from the south rim and then back up in one day...
It definitely felt like it. We're going back and breaking it into two days next time.
IMHO - This hike is more difficult than south rim yo-yo due to the terrain climbing and pathfinding.
Done it both directions
Only done this twice. I have a more recent video where I put together a loop that includes Ridgeline, then back up Peralta to Battleship then back to the truck at the Siphon Draw trailhead. Unfortunately, I wasn't able to make the entire trip, but someone else (Moon Juice Hikes) finished the loop a couple weeks later. I need to get back out there and complete it.
I just did this trail and it was metal as fuck. Can barely feel my legs and I’m in shape.
Hey! I’m having trouble finding your route on the AllTrails app. Can anyone point me to it? Also, we will only have one vehicle. Are there any shuttles? Thanks!
It's not my specific trail, but if you type in Superstition Ridgeline Trail in Alltrails, it will come up. There are no shuttles I know of; you have to arrange one with a friend or something like that.
@@JerryArizona thank you! We wrent from the area so we will just hit you guys up when we get there. Lol. Just kidding. We want to say thank you for your videos! They really helped us on our last trip to Sedona. We appreciate you guys!
@3:59 may be the cliff where Al Senner fell with his pack horses. He went up there to retrieve 10k (in the 1890s) of gold but the gold is still hidden up there probably in the hoodoos. ua-cam.com/video/yaZpRaclhC0/v-deo.html
Hmm. I'll have to check that out.
wow, do not know how you both did it??
We call it 'rage hiking'. When you're so done with a trail that you use that frustration to power through distances you didn't think you could. I think the last time was coming out of Rainbow Bridge. Brutal backpacking trip but we did two days' worth of trail in a single day just because Tina was over it and ready to be out. In the case of Ridgeline, we definitely should have stopped and camped before that last peak. Would've made the trip a lot more enjoyable and we had the gear and water to do it. That was just stupidity on our part.
WHat day, 2 years ago did you record this video, with the helicopter in the video? Do you remember?
I think it was 3/14/2020, but don't quote me. Was that you getting the chopper ride out?
@@JerryArizona no. Lost a friend out there, 3-29-21. He fell while hiking between flatiron and the tall rocks to the left of flatiron. So horrible!
9:44 says it all.
Yeah! That hike is a beast. That's about where I started enjoying things a lot less....
Flatiron was tough.. harder than Humphries I thought
Surprisingly, we haven't hiked Humphrey's yet. Hopefully this year. Flatiron is tough. Hiking Flatiron to start your hike at Ridgeline was absolutely brutal.
😂😂😂👍💪
Man, my buddy went and did this a few months after, no problems. (channel - Moonjuice hikes). Then HIS buddy did it, but free solo'd Weaver's needle on the way (channel - Walkingwithawookie). And just recently another guy did the entire 32+ miles as a day hike! (channel - hikingengineer). Once I get healed up, I have to go out and complete this thing because everyone is putting me to shame!
Who did the song? Bon Iver?
Sounds like Bon Iver (that's why I liked it.) It's actually "Only this Matters" by Ten Towers.
@@JerryArizona cool, thanks!
This is a very challenging and dangerous hike. My friends almost died when we went bc they took 2 liters of water, I took 11.
Ever hike *down the ridgeline, at night, without a trail, into the hieroglyph canyon? I have.
Ha! I went back and hiked it again and camped right where they meet. Didn't know that at the time of this hike. We did get the pleasure of hiking Carney Springs in the dark.
There was shockingly running water when we went this time. The second time, water was an issue because I didn't bring enough so I ended up bailing on a longer hike I had planned. Water is always the first consideration when planning a trip in the Supes.
@@JerryArizona Correct, that was our problem, it was like 112 degrees and they were out of water by start of the top of the ridgeline.
My buddy from Gerogia planned this and had a 1 mile bushwack planned already, I made him show me his route finally and told him it was impossible - he also planned for running water and I was certain there wouldn't be any as it was late summer.
We couldn't find that trail down, so we bushwacked down some, and came across it laterally. Then, they insisted on going down into that stone creek to hike down bc the trail to the left is so tough.
It was probably 135 degrees down there.
It was hotter than the hottest day I've ever been on Flatiron, and I did Camelback Cholla route at 119 degrees on June 20, 2017. It was hotter in that wash.
They came out and met me on that high trail bc I refused to go down there of course.
We had to stop in the shade for like an hour here they were overheating.
I had to give them over 3 liters of water each just so we could get down, all the way back out to that entrance in gold canyon neighborhood.
I had one water bottle at the end. We also had no ride back to the Peralta trailhead and no Uber so we had to call my buddy's wife in Phoenix to come get us.
Why the hell did you pack overnight gear for a day trip? No wonder the trail kicked your ass! Better planning would have saved you from this misery!
We had planned on camping but decided to just hike through it. I’m still kicking myself for that decision. If we’d just stopped and camped, it would have been an entirely different hike.
The music is way too loud. I am gone
you complain a lot i did all them hikes and im a below the knee amputee im glad you made it though
I'm trying to complain less. It's a thing for me. Also, you are a certifiable bad@#*, and I mean that with complete sincerity.
That was a Bell 407 with a AFG1-V2 Camera, Detours of Phoenix sports a Chinese Eurocopter120 Fenestron, Sun State has a Robinson R22 (LOL), AZ Heli Adventures has a AS350 Écureuil, so it was probably State or Local looking for Rhinosours poachers, CoVid~19'stay at home' procrastinators and the likes. Have a safe few months of this JA 🥽.
We actually wondered what they were saying, but it was an injury/rescue; the first chopper was definitely police (we could read it, but I forget the dept). Pretty sure just a twisted/broken ankle. This was a couple weeks back, so no COVID-19 concerns at the time. Kinda combing through old footage for content during all this...Being indoors is going to make me go crazy.
@@JerryArizona Good walk and thanks for doing these remarkable hikes, happy sailing and don't get yourselves stuck at high tide 🤿.
Jerry Arizona we were there the same day camping and hiking to Siphon Draw. It was a rescue, there were 2 fire trucks and an ambulance in the parking lot. Just a few days earlier we had seen a Helicopter rescue in Queen Valley.
You must be miserable to hike with, I think you complained the whole video.