Having worked the previous weekend, I was in the mood to get out in the wilderness for a weekend. Specced out an interesting looking route into an area of the Superstitions we have not seen yet. The idea was to go up Black Top Mesa and then camp somewhere in Marsh Valley.
We headed out at a reasonable, but not early time, since we had all day to hike. That was a mistake. The First Water trailhead (where we planned to start) is small and popular. Of course it was completely full when we go there. Fortunately, there is horse/overflow parking about a half mile away. So, we started from there.
Fortunately there is a trail between the overflow and 1st Water trailhead. So didn't have to hike on the road.
Always excited to get out in the wild
Approaching 1st Water TH
Right past the trailhead we are into Wilderness - so no pesky mountain bikers
There was green everywhere. A testament to a relatively wet and warm winter. This looked nothing like the desert normally looks. But it was nice. However, it was far enough away from the last rains that what water was out there was sparse.
Lots of interesting rocks out here
This is the desert??
Interesting trail. Note the dry wash.
There were definitely wildflowers out. Not a HUGE amount, but enough to enjoy. Out here the wildflowers can be more subtle, but they are always appreciated.
Flowers and rocks
Indian paintbrush
One of many fun climbs
Weavers Needle in the distance. We'll get much closer.
Some color mixed in with holly
Not much water, but enough if you need it.
We'll take Black Mesa trail on the way back, next day.
Heading toward Bull Pass, on the right of that big rock.
Going up
The original plan for the weekend was to do the out and back up Black Top Mesa (different from Black Mesa) on the way out and skip it on the way home. When we got to the top of Bull Pass - where Black Top Mesa trail started, I was starting to fade. So we decided we'd hit it on the way back, when we were fresher.
Top of the pass. All downhill from here.
So ridiculously green
Getting down to the bottom
Always good to see water
Onward down into Marsh Valley
My "plan" called for us to camp somewhere in Marsh Valley. Theoretically there was a spring somewhere near where the Calvary and Dutchman trails intersected. When we got there we could not locate the spring and the area didn't look at that great for camping. We decided to backtrack up out of the valley to near the intersection of Dutchman and Bull Pass trails. We saw water there and it looked like more opportunities for camping.
Yeah, this will do nicely.
Our camp in the distance
This was our local water source. Not much, but it did the trick.
Waiting for water to filter. Enjoying the sights.
Obligatory artistic shot from Nancy
Nancy has been dabbling in Watercolor lately. She has a little kit that she can bring on adventures like this for some small paintings.
The artist at work
View of Weavers Needle - from the north
One interpretation
This turned out to be a great campsite. Great views all around and we saw not a single person while there.
Next morning dawned pretty chilly. We tried to wait out the sun, but it was even lazier than us. Oh well, time to get up and start the day.
Post breakfast - chilling before we get started.
Away we go
Always like to see water...
...and flowers.
Since Black Top Mesa was an out-and-back and a bunch of climbing, we decided to stash our packs at the top of Bull Pass and make the climb unencumbered.
Plenty steep
Views to the north. Can probably see Flagstaff on a clear day.
This campsite on the south edge (like, right on the edge) of the mesa was the only flattish spot up here. This would be a rad place to camp.
View to the east
From the campsite, up the the high point of the mesa
For those who don't know, Weaver's Needle is a big ol' rock in the Superstition Wilderness that you can see for MANY miles away in many places - mostly from the north and south. We can actually see it from our house (about 30 miles away for crows). From the north and south it looks like a needle. But from the east or west you can see it is almost a half circle. Really interesting feature.
Weavers Needle on the left. The little hump on the top right (in the far distance) is Superstition Mountain. It is the highest peak in the Superstition Wilderness. We summitted that on another day.
Looking down the mesa, to the north
Back to the top of Bull Pass
And headed down
One of many dry washes
Heading up there - to Black Mesa. Not Black TOP Mesa.
Poppies!!
yellow, white and blue
Lots of climbing up to Black Mesa
Continuing up
Up on the mesa, looking south. Notice the forest of Saguaros on the left.
Starting to come down the north end of Black Mesa
And down..
...and down.
If you are real desperate, this could do for water.
Of course we are climbing again
Lots of color
Still having fun
The end is in sight
This turned out to be a very nice weekend trip. Got us out of the world (no cell coverage - yay), provided some interesting trail and awesome views, and very few other hikers. The weather was kind of nuts for February - it actually got hot during the day. But we'll take that.
