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Superstition Wilderness, AZ

Half Week Trip

Mar 25 - Mar 29, 2015 -- $700 ★★★

Just an hour East of Phoenix, in the Tonto National Forest, lies a magical desert called The Superstition Wilderness a 160,000 acre wilderness area. We will be hiking a beautiful loop around the Weaver's Needle, an iconic rock spire that can be seen for miles encompassing East Boulder Canyon and Black Top Mesa. Why not escape your frigid climate and hike a wild and largely unseen section of the country to all kinds of views that cars just cannot reach?


Our journey will begin at the Peralta Trailhead and traverse the heart of the Superstition Wilderness around Bluff Spring Mountain, Black Top Mesa and the Weaver's Needle before returning back to our starting point.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when backpacking. Historical March weather averages in the mid-70s during the day and 30s-40s at night. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures in the 90s and freezing temperatures at night. We even experienced a freak snowstorm in 2011 so anything can happen. But overall, expect a warm respite from your end-of-winter blues.



Trip Leaders

Steve Silberberg
Deb Lusk

Cost

$700 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Phoenix, AZ (PHX) as well as personal equipment and any restaurant meals.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 3 days of trail meals, ground transportation, permits, fees and awesome guides.



Important Note

This is a Half-Week Trip. We will be joining the concurrent full-week already in progress and will meet up with them on the trail on Thursday, hiking the rest of the trip together.


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Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Fly or drive into Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)

Take free airport shuttle to the Howard Johnson Phoenix Airport/Downtown Area, 4120 E Van Buren Street, Phoenix, 85008, AZ, 602-275-5746

Equipment shakedown

Trip to REI Tempe, 1405 W Southern Ave, for forgotten or last minute equipment

Distribution of trail mix

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Go out to dinner in town (Dinner not included in trip cost)



Thursday, March 26, 2015

Second set of before body composition measurements taken

Free Hotel Breakfast

Check out of Hotel

Shuttle van will take your spare bag(s) for safekeeping

Drive to Peralta Trailhead at the South End of the Superstition Wilderness

Begin Hiking on the Bluff Spring Trail #235, elevation 2400'

Hike 2.1 uphill miles on the Bluff Spring Trail #235 to the Terrapin Trail #102, elevation 3200', possibly meeting up with Fitpacking full-week participants at Barks Canyon at around 1.8 miles

Continue hiking 1.0 miles on the Bluff Spring Trail #235 to Dutchmans Trail #104, elevation 3050'

Hike 2.3 miles on the Dutchmans Trail #104 to the Red Tanks Trail #107, elevation 2650'

Dispersed camp near LaBarge Spring practicing Leave No Trace principles, elevation 2650'

Miles today: 5.4 miles. Total to date: 5.4 miles

Bailout: Peralta Trailhead


Friday, March 27, 2015

Hike 1.0 miles on the Dutchmans Trail #104 through the Lower LaBarge Box to Charlebois Spring, elevation 2600'. Fill all water containers in anticipation of no more water sources this trip.

Hike 1.4 miles on the Dutchmans Trail #104 to Marsh Valley, elevation 2350'

Hike 0.4 miles on the Dutchmans Trail #104 to the next trail intersection, elevation 2350'

Hike 0.8 miles to the Terrapin Trail #234, elevation 2900'

Hike 1.0 miles on Upper Black Top Mesa Pass to the Peralta Trail #102, elevation 2500'

Hike about 2.5 miles on the Peralta Trail #102

Dispersed camp in East Boulder Canyon practicing Leave No Trace principles (note: no water here), elevation 3250'

Miles today: 6.7 miles. Total to date: 12.1 miles

Bailout: Peralta Trailhead


Saturday, March 28, 2015

Hike 1.4 miles on the Peralta Trail #102 to Fremont Saddle, elevation 3800'

Hike 2.0 miles on the Peralta Trail #102 to the Peralta Trailhead, elevation 2400'

End of Hike

Miles Today: 3.4. Total to Date: 15.5

Shuttle back to the Howard Johnson Phoenix Airport/Downtown Area, 4120 E Van Buren Street, Phoenix, 85008, AZ, 602-275-5746

"After" body composition measurements taken

Dinner and Awards Ceremony at Four Peaks Brewing Company

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, March 29, 2015

Free breakfast in Hotel

Check out of Hotel

Take Free Airport Shuttle


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