The Hike to and Beyond Weaver's Needle

Long drive to the trail head, especially the last 5 on a dirt road to Peralta trail.  Things got interesting early, as noted by many rock spires like the above.

About a mile into the hike I turned to where I had started and saw this cool sight.

Up and up to this....

....higher yet to the same view as previous but from higher elevation and then to the saddle....

....to a view of Weaver's Needle.  WOW!  The image does not do justice to the majesty of the scene.  What you see is a 1000' volcanic plug that was exposed as the softer material around it eroded away.  Legend has it that the shadow of the top of the needle shows the way to a vein of gold.  Thousands have searched for the gold but so far, no luck.  I brought a pick-axe with me to do my share of digging but had no luck, just blisters.

My march continued northward, passing the needle but saw a cool scene to the west, the moon glimpsed over the center of this image.

Continuing my march, I got a good look deep into the Superstition Wilderness. 

After 6 miles, the trail ended at the "Dutchman's Trail".  I thought hanging a right here would lead me to the east of the needle and back to the parking lot but not certain of that so decided to retrace my route. 

Trudging my way back I finally reached the saddle where I first saw the needle and was greeted with this view to the south.  Kept going and finished with 12 miles.  There is a "way" off this trail to the base of the needle but I did not see it.  That would have been fun climbing to the base of the needle.  The climb to the top of the needle is rated 4 or 5 so beyond the capabilities of someone without rope but still, getting to the base would be neat so I'll be back, soon.