The Turtles to the Top, a 5 T Hike

Some members of the CVHC asked Curt if he would lead a hike to the the top of Flatiron. They wanted a hike that would move 'slow enough' so they would not feel rushed to get up and back. Thus, Turtles to the Top, a 5 T Hike. Flatiron is only a 5 mile hike, which isn't very long. But, the 2.5 miles go up 2800 feet and then back down. Curt agreed to organize such a hike and scheduled it around Kari's visit. She said yes to the hike before she realized all it would entail. Here is her record of the hike on Friday, February 10, 2012.

This is Flatiron, the western edge of the Superstition Mts, our backyard view.

 It is 8:00 am. The group will begin the hike from this point. Flatiron is the mountain near the center of the photo with the wide band.

getting organized 

hikers snaking their way to the top

 A short rest stop for the group. Flatiron looms above them.

 this is about the halfway point, Siphon Draw

this is as far as I have hiked

the 'bowling alley' is the next level...

 large smooth, solid rock.

 the dark lines showing rain lines caught her eye

 another short break near the base of a dry waterfall

 taking time to photograph

it is not an easy climb

this boulder area follows the bowling alley

 it's getting closer

 this is where we have been

 an interesting view of the valley

 another interesting view

 Flatiron! 

the people on the edge were the first group to the top

I made it!

 these two guys graciously took photos of the group

 the 'newbie' group 

their first time on the top of Flatiron

 42 hikers climbed Flatiron last Friday

a proud moment for the two of them

lunch at the top

 then it was off to the hoodoos, another 1/4 mile higher

don't they look like people?

some very interesting formations

 Flatiron from the hoodoos

 some tight spaces to get through on the way

 Stonehenge in AZ?

more interesting formations

 there is more than one way to get down the bowling alley

 the Mexican poppies opened by the time they went down

the sunset on the Superstition Mountians

6:00 pm, beer time on flat ground

WE DID IT!

a little dirty, a little tired & a whole lot sore!

42 people up and 42 people down

Kari: I don't have to ever do it again!