Hieroglyphic Trail in Gold Canyon

Friday, March 2, 2018 – Location:  Superstition Mountains near Apache Junction, Arizona

Last night just before going to bed, we started hearing coyotes howling, barking and yipping in the ravine right in front of the MH.  Yuma climbed into the driver’s seat and started barking at them and I went outside to see what was going on.  I guess they were barking at the full moon.  This went on for a good five minutes before they moved on and all went silent again.

Slept good and woke around 7:30. Yuma was in his normal feisty spirit on our morning walk.  A little show-off!

  

After breakfast around 10 o’clock, Deb and Riley stopped by to let me know they were ready for our hike today.  Last evening we decided to take a hike in Gold Canyon of the Superstition Mountains.  It is rated “Easy” at 2.9 miles there and back. 

The canyon is located on the south side of the mountains and is less than a half hour drive to get to the trailhead.  We had a stop to make in town and we arrived at the trailhead at 11 o’clock ready to hike.  The weather was perfect.  Blue skies and the temperature was quickly moving towards the 70 degree mark.  It wasn’t long before we were shedding our long sleeve shirts as the exercise heated us up and the sun heated everything. 

As we walked in the open sun for awhile, we were beginning to think some 20 year olds came up with the “easy”  designation.  As it got hot, Riley began to feel the affects and decided to return to the truck and Deb went with her.  I stayed on course thinking it would be “easy” and I would be back within an hour. 

Not so!.  It was closer to two miles to the falls at the top than it was to one and a half.   Their are several trails that split off from this trailhead.

This stone was at the beginning of the trailhead so I’m not sure of its authenticity.

Soon, we saw a sign leading us in the correct direction.

This Saguaro also pointed us towards the trail.

We’re heading to that big boulder below the peak in the center of the photo.  The one between the two large saguaros.  Just a dark spot right now.

Looking off to the right.

Here come Deb and Riley.  No shade and getting hot.

Heading for the little canyon in the center.  Hard to see the break in the dark rocks  going down the right side in the middle.

Looking back.

It’s just Yuma and I now and I can see the trail is not getting any easier.

Shoed horses have passed through here.  Imprints in the dried mud.

As we get to the falls we see grinding holes in this boulder called morteros.  Yuma is drinking water out of one of them.

Yuma is checking for a way I can climb these boulders to our destination. 

Close to the bottom of the falls.  A butterfly is sipping water out of the damp ground..

The Indian petroglyphs are carved into the boulders around the waterfall.  No water falling but there is quite a bit of water in pools.

Looking back towards the entrance to Gold Canyon from the waterfalls.

Looking up towards the top of the mountain.  Long way up there and it almost killed me to get to the falls.  This is as far up as I go.  My body is telling me this is the end. 

Yuma spots a cave near the falls.  We just have to investigate.

We need to get back down to the Dogsled where Deb and Riley are waiting.   Yuma says it’s time to get going!

It was past two o’clock by the time we got to the bottom and my Fitbit said we walked five miles today.  That is my limit.  By the time I got to the truck, my feet were killing me.  If “easy” is like this, I wonder what “moderate” is like! 

Stay tuned!

I forgot Gold Rush is on so got to go.

See you later.