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Scouting Robber's Roost

1/7/2021

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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.
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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.....
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....rocky and.....
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....steep.  I've been on my bike twice and hiked once in the last 3 days and kind of feeling it on the climb.  
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A great fake-out.  Yes, I eventually reach the above saddle from where.....
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....the views are magnificent but.....
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....I still have another climb about as difficult.  Each climb averages over 30%.  I refer to these as "knee bucklers". 
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Looking back, I can see the trail break over the saddle and wind its way toward me.
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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....
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....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.
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The final slope from where at the top....
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....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.
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I start down one canyon, realize I made a mistake, retreat and one canyon over begin the descent.
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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....
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....I gain access.  Very cool place.  Evidence that it was discovered....
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.....long ago can be found on the walls.  At one end of the room is an opening to a....
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....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....
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....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."
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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....
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....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.
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    Mark is a long-time cyclist, hiker, golfer and plays some table tennis...ok, it's ping pong.

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