Hike #53 - Sipon Draw to Flat Iron, Superstition Mountains, Apache Junction, AZ

 Siphon Draw trail in the Superstition mountains has a reputation as a challenging hike. I can attest to this trail living up to it's reputation!  The 6 mile RT trail starts out gradual to the waterfall then becomes steep requiring a lot of hands and arm work to balance and pull yourself up large boulders and squeeze through narrow clefts in the rock. Paul and I hiked to the Flat Iron which is a large flat mesa like area on one of the highest cliffs.  We then hiked to the summit of the trail where there is a flag made from an agave stalk with a piecs of white denim where hikers can write there names etc.  The day we hiked was also the anniversary of a plane crash from one year ago that killed 6 people including the 3 small children of Karen Perry.  We met her on the trail as she was nearing the top of a memorial hike with some friends.  We visited the memorial that friends have made for the crash victims.  This was a long day of hiking, approx. 5 - 6 hours and very tiring but rewarding.

Hike #52 - Corona Loma - South Mountain, Phoenix, AZ

Thanksgiving morning a friend of Paul's (Bob) invited a group of us to do a trail run up this popular mountain biking trail at South Mountain Park.  The trail was approx. 5 miles round trip.  The first mile and a half was relatively flat dipping in and out of a washes, dodging cactus and other shrubs with lots of stickers.  The second mile was much more challenging having a steep grade of switchbacks climbing 1000' to spectacular views.  (I didn't take a lot of photos so I am posting photos from Mare Czinar with permission http://arizonahiking.blogspot.com/2011/11/corona-de-loma-trail.html)

Hike #51 - Seven Falls, Bear Canyon, Tucson, AZ

 Sabino Canyon in the Santa Catalina Mountains is a popular hiking area in Tucson, AZ. The Bear Canyon Trail takes you to Seven Falls which in the Spring time has seven spring crossings, large pools and seven water falls.  Paul and I hiked this trail in the Fall, November 10, 2012. There were 2 small pools of water but no water falls.  The trail is 7.8 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 650'.  We actually hiked a little further since it was a beautiful day and we were curious to see the view of the falls from above.