My Favorite Hike, to the Flat Iron via Siphon Draw

This hike has it all, friggin steep, boulder hopping, fantastic views, some route finding, climbing and there it is in the center, called the Flat Iron as it looks like an upside iron. Six miles and 2900' of climbing.

The first mile is the usual walk through the Sonoran desert type environment but soon we arrive at the Siphon Draw, a broad expanse of slickrock.  I always marvel at this unusual feature but then have to walk up the steep slope.  Arriving at a saddle, I rested a moment before the next stage, which is harder, very, very steep and right at the top a 12' wall that must be negotiated.  Then.....

....a fantastic walk to the Flat Iron and its expansive views.  Lots of people sit on that edge, as did I, eating an apple and contemplating life as I know it.

The top of the Flat Iron is an odd environment.  There are a couple of camp sites and on this day, Sunday, it was kind of crowded.

Looking to the east, I noticed a couple of guys walking off trail and figured they were going to walk around that protrusion on the left to hook back up to the main trail so I followed.

Wow, the edge.  Hundreds of feet before something would break the fall so I kept a good distance away.  I caught up with the two guys but they were going somewhere else. However, it was an easy off trail effort with more great views before hooking back up with the main trail and heading back down.  Check out the rock formations below.