Scouting Robber's Roost

I've organized a group hike to visit Robber's Roost, high in the Superstitions.  While I have visited the Roost several times, only once via the route I have planned and that was 4 years ago.  So, thought I better hike in so I don't get the gang lost.  I hate when that happens:). Quite a story to read at the entrance to the trail at the Lost Goldmine East trail head. It's a nice cool morning as I begin my hike at 10:30am.

I get on the Wave Cave trail and then break from it onto the Carney Springs trail which is unsigned.  The views all around are wonderful.  Ugh, Carney Springs is.....

....rocky and.....

....steep.  I've been on my bike twice and hiked once in the last 3 days and kind of feeling it on the climb.  

A great fake-out.  Yes, I eventually reach the above saddle from where.....

....the views are magnificent but.....

....I still have another climb about as difficult.  Each climb averages over 30%.  I refer to these as "knee bucklers". 

Looking back, I can see the trail break over the saddle and wind its way toward me.

At last, I reach the Superstition Ridgeline and see Superstition Peak in the distance.  That too is a great hike starting from the Hieroglyphics Trail. There is a beat up sign post here with a barely discernible etching.  Now the route....

....moderates as I swing right and begin following a trail that winds to another saddle.  The route finding is moderate I guess as I have to stop a few times and figure out how to go.  I brought a gps track but don't look at it as I enjoy the challenge.

The final slope from where at the top....

....the giant bunny stares at me, open mouthed.  My group will have the opportunity to climb in and have their pic taken.  The route now is rolling as I look for a side canyon.  Unfortunately, someone has swept away almost all of the cairns, which I think is a selfish act.

I start down one canyon, realize I made a mistake, retreat and one canyon over begin the descent.

Yes, somewhere in that jumble of boulders is the entrance to the Roost.  After poking around and despite having done this a few times, it took awhile but at last....

....I gain access.  Very cool place.  Evidence that it was discovered....

.....long ago can be found on the walls.  At one end of the room is an opening to a....

....lower level where I see someone dropped a hiking pole.  There is a sling fastened around a boulder but I don't have rope and would not try it solo if I did.  I don't spend much time in the Roost, scramble out and regain the route.  In the distance....

....I see a shelf and hike over, which affords great views of Peralta Canyon.  I run into a hiker who is doing my route but in the reverse direction.  He said he was going to try to find the Roost but had no route info so I thought, "Good luck with that."

I continue my hike which has grand views of the volcanic plug, Weaver's Needle.  Got a little off track but eventually found Peralta Trail and followed it for 2 miles until just a couple hundred yards from the parking lot, my attention is drawn to the cliffs above where I see....

....5 bighorn sheep.  An unusual find.  Of course, Peralta is a heavily trafficked trail so they are used to humans and simply stare at me.  Finished with a bit under 8 miles and 2400' of climbing.  I'm good to go with the group later this month.