The Rest of the Superstition Peak Hike with Surprise Ending

Below I describe the ascent to the ridge that is west of Superstition Peak.  After pausing at the ridge to take in the magnificence that is the interior of the Supes, I headed toward the peak.  First, you go up and over a hill or go around it following a very faint trail.  I did the latter, got off trail several times, cliffed out and decided, up and over is best.  The next section is navigating a boulder field.  A guy could disappear into some of the crevices.  Next....

.....you bear right around this and....

....looking back, wow.

Then this interesting feature.  Yeah, doesn't look like much but if I was standing in there you could barely see me.  Up....

.....the left, about half way grab a cleft of stone and then jump.  For the uncoordinated like me, I stood there for a moment calculating prior to making the leap of faith.  I figured I'd have a problem coming back down but hey, that would be later so onward.

Then I go to the left of the peak to it's.....

.....right side (as seen from Apache Junction) and begin to ascend.

It's hard to focus with such compelling views all around.  These hoodoos are huge and much taller than me.

Ahhhh, the final obstacle and maybe the most challenging. It's kind of work right to left, then up, then left to right, up and up and....

....onto the peak I scamper.  The old ammo box with the registry is inside so I proudly sign my name, for about the 3rd time.  It's a small area so after eating an apple and of course enjoying the views after the roughly 4 mile hike with almost 3000' of elevation gain I.....

....begin the long descent.

At the ridge, I look at the canyon before me.  OK, here is where it got really strange and just when I think I have seen it all....I reach the Hieroglyphic pools and there is one guy there with a bunch of photographic equipment.  Of course I walk over and below him in the dry river bed, which is a beautiful area, is a woman with no clothes on.  Yep, I kid you not  I say, "Whoa, I had no idea, sorry."  The guy tells me no problem as the woman puts a bathing suit back on.  I swear, I did not watch. He says it is a public area so they expected this could happen but they were expecting visitors from the other direction not from the peak.  I quickly turn and walk away but the blog mentality kicks in and I begin to think, this could be a.....

....content worthy image and besides, no one would believe me so from a great distance, I yell if it is ok if I take a pic for my blog,  They say ok but wait for her to cover so there it is, the proof.  Well, back to the dull life of a cyclist as I took Saturday off and did a 49 mile ride with a group called "The Cactus Club" on Sunday.  Much more to come on other activities.