Permits obtained for area Jeep trails and short hike

Monday, March 5, 2018 – Location:  Superstition Mountains near Apache Junction, Arizona

Woke up to a cool 39 degrees with a 8 mph breeze out of the north this morning.  Luckily, the sun was shining and it wasn’t too uncomfortable for our first walk of the morning.

Took a peek over the dirt berm across the road from us.  I found it is a gravel pit and not a gold or copper pit.  

The pit owner lives over there.

Looking over at the mountains to the east, I could see the wind playing with the wispy clouds.

Around 10 o’clock, Deb, Riley, Yuma and I jumped in the Dogsled and went in search of the canyon road Deb and I saw on our hike yesterday.  We eventually did find it and unfortunately, there was a locked gate preventing us from entry.

While we were at the gate, Deb asked a lady standing there if  there was a cost to the permits and she said they were free.  We would need to go to the Mesa Ranger station to obtain the permit.

The lady mentioned that they had entered the trails in the wilderness area at another location and were unable to unlock the gate here to get their Jeep out.  Deb offered to try the lock.  After a few efforts, lo and behold, Deb got the combination lock to open.  She was a hero!  

We were off to Mesa to get a permit.  They are free but the rangers want to know who enters the Tonto forest area.  We got to the Ranger station right before they closed for lunch. 

The ranger at the desk was less than helpful and a little rude.  He was in a hurry to close for lunch and gave us the cold shoulder when we were trying to get the appropriate permits.  As we walked out we noticed he gave us the wrong permits but Deb was persistent.  She insisted we walk right back in and get the right ones. He reluctantly did the little paperwork required and we walked out with all the permits we will ever need.

It was already closing in on 1 o’clock, so we went back to our site for lunch.  We decided to call it a day and rest.

I just had to try out a gated trail, so after lunch, Yuma and I headed to the  gated trail at the end of our road.  Opened the gate and headed in. 

About 15 minutes later I was opening the gate back up and heading out.  The trails back there were strictly for ATVs or properly equipped 4-wheel drive vehicles.  My Jeep just doesn’t have the tires required for those very tough trails.  The first wash I came to was more than I could handle, so we ditched the Jeep ride idea for today.  So intent on getting turned around I forgot to take a picture of the wash.

Sitting back in the RV, I still wanted to do something.  The weather is just beautiful, so I checked my AllTrails app and found a short walking trail about five miles from here.  I told myself I was not going to hike today, but just a short one wouldn’t hurt.

It was the Jacob’s Crosscut Trail just up the Apache Trail from the RV about 5 miles located in the Tonto National Forest.  This trail rated “easy” goes up to the face of Superstition Mountain.  I figured we would just walk part way and take some photos and then come home.  And that’s what we did.  We were home by 4 o’clock.

Just as we started our hike, two horse riders came down the trail.  Interested to see what Yuma would do, I stayed next to the trail with Yuma on his leash.  The second horseman stopped and surprisingly Yuma and the horse sniffed noses.  (Wish I had gotten a photo)  Yuma was a little afraid but didn’t bark.  A real gentleman.

Off he galloped to catch up with his riding partner.

I know everyone has seen enough of the Superstition Mountains this last week, so I will only throw a few in from our hike.  We are seeing it more from a northern angle on this hike.

Some close-ups to more clearly see how rugged this mountain is.  It is more than I can do to get up the slope, much less climb in there.

Good thing Yuma is on a leash.  Bunches of these Teddy Bear Chollas along the trail.

To my north I get a clear sight of the Four Peaks Mountain up by Roosevelt Lake.   Many more trails in that wilderness area.

The trail was well worn and easy to hike.  A number of hikers but not crowded.  Quite a few Mesquite trees to provide shade from the sun.

When I returned to the RV, Deb was outside reading.  Of course, Yuma jumped out of the Jeep and raced over to greet her.  Then Riley came out to say hello and we all sat out till the coolness of the late afternoon sent us inside for the evening. 

All in all, not a bad day.  See you later.