Flat Iron 2012

Our second annual hike to Flat Iron was a success!  Everyone who joined us had a great experience, including the two first-timers.  No immediate injuries have been reported. We'll see how everyone feels in a couple days.  I think going into the hike with prior experience was a big help, last time a couple of us had long lasting discomfort from injuries (1 to 4 months).  Our plan of attack this time included taking ibuprofen ahead of time, and getting out the door bright and early to ensure plenty of time to not feel rushed.  Also, just knowing what to expect and how to pace ourselves was an advantage.  Our overall time was 5.5 hours which included an hour or so at the top enjoying the view and a lunch break.

The Crew: Bryant, Janet, Vanessa, Chattie, Sherree, Lisa and Mark

The weather was a bit chilly to begin with, but warmed up to about 77 degrees by the time we were through.  We were glad to have the cooler weather for the incline.  We were nervous about wearing shorts because we all wore long pants last time and weren't sure whether our legs would get scraped up on the rocks.  We have now decided that shorts would be fine next time if the weather is warm.

Approaching the Superstitions was beautiful, with the newly rising sun peeking over the rock and spilling over in streams of light.  The triangle shaped peak in the middle-back is our destination.

There is a nice wide trail with a steady incline for a mile or so, which gradually begins to get steeper as you approach the base of the mountain.  Once you begin to ascend the mountain toward Siphon Draw, the incline is steep and leaves you out of breath. 

It is about two miles to Siphon Draw, your blood will be pumping, and your breath heavy when you reach it.  This is a great place to take a breather and eat a snack to renew your energy.

View of Flat Iron from the top of Siphon Draw...

Next comes the really steep part... but it is a completely different type of steep because you are basically bouldering up the trail, hoisting yourself up using your arms.  This part goes much slower, so you don't get as out of breath... but the climb is difficult.  We recommend wearing gloves once you get up a ways.  Here are a couple photos I took in a steep part, one picture behind me, and one ahead to give you an idea... but really I didn't have my camera out for most of the bouldering part because it was just too difficult to be getting into my backpack while balancing and/or holding on.

There are a couple tricky parts where you're not sure which way to approach a rock face or crack... but with some trial and error you can figure it out.  The most difficult part to maneuver is near the top, where you hang left of a rock wall and use a tree trunk to pull yourself up.

Just a little more climbing after that and then you're on a semi-flat trail that leads to the flat-topped peak.  Exhilarating!

After relaxing at the top, lunch time, and a little potty break, we headed back down.

Look straight ahead, and you can see the blackened rock from the Thanksgiving plane crash, heart wrenching.

I didn't take my camera out on the way down, its just too steep and slippery!  It takes lots of arm usage to lower yourself down the rocks, and once again... gloves are a good idea.  Going down the mountain is tricky and you have to be cautious and slow to avoid injury.

The trail is well traveled, we saw lots of other hiking groups, a few loners, and a few children with their parents.  One guy was 71, he said this was his fourth and final climb to Flat Iron.  One couple said they climb the trail once a month in the winter.  Everyone on the trail was friendly and enjoying themselves...