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Superstition Wilderness, AZ

Mar 21 - Mar 29, 2015 -- $1200 ★★★

Just an hour East of Phoenix, in the Tonto National Forest, lies a magical desert called The Superstition Wilderness. We will hike through the heart of this 160,000 acre wilderness traversing many beautiful trails and iconic features such as the Weaver's Needle, LaBarge Box, Miner's Needle and will summit Supstition Mountain itself. Why not escape your frigid climate and hike a warm, wild and largely unseen section of the country to places that cars cannot reach?


Our journey will begin and end at the Peralta Trailhead at the South end of the wilderness and traverse two loops in the Superstition Wilderness, the Coffee Flats area including the LaBarge Box as well as the Weaver's Needle area. On the days when this group is "alone", We'll go off-trail and hike to the summit of Superstition Mountain and go off trail again into primeval Barks' Canyon before joining up with the 2nd group.



Weather

Weather is always an important concern when backpacking. Historical March weather averages in the mid-70s during the day and 30s-40s at night. However, be prepared for the possibility of day temperatures in the 90s and freezing temperatures at night. We even experienced a freak snowstorm in 2011 so anything can happen. But overall, expect a warm respite from your end-of-winter blues.



Trip Leaders

Steve Silberberg
Deb Lusk

Cost

$1200 per person double occupancy. Here, double occupancy means that you will share a hotel room with another trip participant. You will also be responsible for transportation to and from Phoenix, AZ (PHX) as well as personal equipment and any restaurant meals.


Covered expenses include 2 hotel nights, 7 days of trail meals, ground transportation, permits, fees and awesome guides.



Important Note

This trip is a full week. If you choose this trip, you will also be hiking with both our first Half-Week group and our last Half-Week group remaining on the trail Tuesday and Wednesday night without either group.


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Packing List
Itinerary
Weather
Guides for this trip
Cost
Important Note
Difficulty (Please Read)
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Itinerary


Saturday, March 21, 2015

Fly or drive into Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX)

Take free airport shuttle to the Howard Johnson Phoenix Airport/Downtown Area, 4120 E Van Buren Street, Phoenix, 85008, AZ, 602-275-5746

Equipment shakedown

Trip to REI Tempe, 1405 W Southern Ave, for forgotten or last minute equipment

Distribution of trail mix

"Before" body composition measurements taken

Go out to dinner in town (Dinner not included in trip cost)



Sunday, March 22, 2015

Second set of before body composition measurements taken

Free Hotel Breakfast

Check out of Hotel

Shuttle van will take your spare bag(s) for safekeeping

Drive to Peralta Trailhead at the South End of the Superstition Wilderness

Begin Hiking on the Dutchmans Trail #104, elevation 2400'

Hike 2.6 miles on the Dutchmans Trail #104 to the Coffee Flat Trail #108, elevation 2600'

Hike 4.1 miles on the Coffee Flat Trail #108 to Dripping Spring, elevation 2650'

Dispersed camp near Dripping Spring practicing Leave No Trace principles, elevation 3350'

Miles today: 6.7 miles. Total to date: 6.7 miles

Bailout: Peralta Trailhead


Monday, March 23, 2015

Hike 4.7 miles on the Red Tanks Trail #107 to the Hoolie Bacon Trail #111 intersection, elevation 3200'

There may be seasonal water here at LaBarge Spring #2

Hike 1.4 miles on the Red Tanks Trail #107 through the stunning high walled Upper LaBarge Box to the Whiskey Spring Trail #238, elevaiton 2800'

Hike 1.9 miles on the Whiskey Spring Trail #238 to the Miners Summit, elevation 3250' making sure to fill water at Whiskey Spring along the way

Dispersed camp near Miner's Summit practicing Leave No Trace principles (note: no water here), elevation 3250'

Miles today: 8.0 miles. Total to date: 14.7 miles

Bailout: Peralta Trailhead


Tuesday, March 24, 2015

Hike 4.2 miles on the Dutchmans Trail #104 to the Peralta Trailhead, elevation 2400'

Say goodbye to the first Half-Week Fatpacking participants who will be shuttled back to the hotel

Pick up 2 gallons of water cached here in anticipation of dry camping tonight

Hike 2.0 uphill miles on the Peralta Trail #102 to Fremont Saddle, elevation 3800'

Dispersed camp near Fremont Saddle practicing Leave No Trace principles (note: no water here), elevation 3800'

Miles Today: 6.2. Total to Date: 20.9

Bailout: Peralta Trailhead


Wednesday, March 25, 2015

Leave Packs at camp and Day-Hike 2.8 strenuous miles off-trail to the summit of Superstition Mountain, elevation 5057'

Day-Hike 2.8 strenuous miles off-trail back to Fremont Saddle

Dispersed camp near Fremont Saddle practicing Leave No Trace principles (note: no water here), elevation 3800'

Miles Today: 5.6. Total to Date: 26.5

Bailout: Peralta Trailhead


Thursday, March 26, 2015

Hike 0.7 miles off-trail towards the Weaver's Needle, elevation 3800'

Hike 0.8 miles off-trail down Bark's Canyon to Bluff Spring Trail #235, elevation 2900'

Meet up with Fatpacking second half-week participants

Hike 1.3 miles on the Bluff Spring Trail #235 to Dutchmans Trail #104, elevation 3050'

Hike 2.3 miles on the Dutchmans Trail #104 to the Red Tanks Trail #107, elevation 2650'

Dispersed camp near LaBarge Spring practicing Leave No Trace principles, elevation 2650'

Miles today: 5.1 miles. Total to date: 31.6 miles

Bailout: Peralta Trailhead


Friday, March 27, 2015

Hike 1.0 miles on the Dutchmans Trail #104 through the Lower LaBarge Box to Charlebois Spring, elevation 2600'. Fill all water containers in anticipation of no more water sources this trip.

Hike 1.4 miles on the Dutchmans Trail #104 to Marsh Valley, elevation 2350'

Hike 0.4 miles on the Dutchmans Trail #104 to the next trail intersection, elevation 2350'

Hike 0.8 miles to the Terrapin Trail #234, elevation 2900'

Hike 1.0 miles on Upper Black Top Mesa Pass to the Peralta Trail #102, elevation 2500'

Hike about 2.5 miles on the Peralta Trail #102

Dispersed camp in East Boulder Canyon practicing Leave No Trace principles (note: no water here), elevation 3250'

Miles today: 6.7 miles. Total to date: 38.3 miles

Bailout: Peralta Trailhead


Saturday, March 28, 2015

Hike 1.4 miles on the Peralta Trail #102 to Fremont Saddle, elevation 3800'

Hike 2.0 miles on the Peralta Trail #102 to the Peralta Trailhead, elevation 2400'

End of Hike

Miles Today: 3.4. Total to Date: 41.7

Shuttle back to the Howard Johnson Phoenix Airport/Downtown Area, 4120 E Van Buren Street, Phoenix, 85008, AZ, 602-275-5746

"After" body composition measurements taken

Dinner and Awards Ceremony at Four Peaks Brewing Company

This is the official end of the trip. You are welcome to spend the night at the hotel, however if you drove and would like to get on the road or if you flew and would like to schedule a late flight (or a red-eye if this is a West Coast trip) you can definitely do so.


Sunday, March 29, 2015

Free breakfast in Hotel

Check out of Hotel

Take Free Airport Shuttle


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