It’s an hourlong (at least) slog to the next saddle, which is blocked by an 8-foot wall of rock. It provides a great mix of unique scenery and physical exercise. Flat Iron Hike (Siphon Draw)- Superstition Mountains, AZ. The other extreme becomes the norm later on. The first steps are the easiest as the well-marked path winds through the park and past the park campground. The name comes from the ultimate destination of this hike, which resembles an upside down iron. ★ Having said that, the view from the Flatiron was amazing! About 15 minutes in, the trail crosses from the park into the Tonto National Forest. The line is invisible, but the wilderness boundary is where the wide, easy-to-follow path starts giving way to a narrow, rugged trail that will have you rock-hopping the rest of the day. All in all another experience I'll never forget! As you continue up the draw, the slick rock area known as "The Basin" comes into view. As you’d expect, the signage in the park is superb, making it just about impossible to make a wrong turn. Copying and downloading images from this site is strictly prohibited. Cost of admission is $7 per car for parking with access to the trailhead. This last mile demands everything you’ve got. Siphon Trail Basin Photo: Sam Bero Once you hit the basin you reach the end of the Siphon Trail and become that much closer to reaching the Flat Iron. The trail is primarily used for hiking and is best used from September until June. Flatiron via Siphon Draw Trail If you want to test your endurance by hiking a challenging hike then Flatiron via Siphon Draw Trailis what you are looking for. Siphon Draw 2 miles to the basin • 1,200 ft elevation gain Siphon Draw Trail is located in the Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Creek, Arizona. Proceed to the entrance gate, then follow the signs to the Siphon Draw Trailhead.Special Consideration: A $7 day pass is required.Vehicle Requirements: NoneDogs Allowed: YesHorses Allowed: NoUSGS Map: GoldfieldInformation: Lost Dutchman State Park, 480-982-4485 or azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman; Mesa Ranger District, 480-610-3300 or fs.usda.gov/tonto, Arizona Highways 2039 W Lewis Ave, Phoenix, AZ 85009 602.712.2200. Not a quick or easy trail in my book. This is the turnaround point for Part 1, the Siphon Draw Trail. Peak Summited 2020 Flatiron Type of Hike Day hike Trailhead Siphon Draw Encountered Wildflowers blooming Hiking Companions Hiked with a group Road Conditions Flex your adventure muscles! Hike to the top of the Flat Iron via the Siphon Draw trail in Superstition State Park, Arizona. The Siphon Draw Trail starts in Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction. ★ Siphon Draw to Flat Iron and Superstition Peak - Tonto National Forest Summary: A steep climb up the rugged front range of the Superstitions to some terrific views. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash. ★ Length: 4.28 miles round-trip (6.05 miles round-trip to the Flatiron)Difficulty: Moderate (strenuous to the Flatiron)Elevation: 2,058 to 3,389 feet (4,671 at the Flatiron)Trailhead GPS: N 33˚27.561', W 111˚28.798'Directions: From Idaho Road in Apache Junction, go east on State Route 88 (the Apache Trail) for 4.8 miles to Lost Dutchman State Park. From the saddle, make your way to the riparian wash on the right. Flatiron is one of the most popular day hikes in the Superstition Wilderness, just outside of Phoenix, AZ. Luis and I hiked up the SIphon Draw to Flat Iron trail in the Superstition Mountains from the Lost Dutchman State Park. Total distance if you do summit and Flat Iron is about 7 1/2 miles round trip. This trail goes by Peak 5024 and Lost Dutchman State Park. Continuing on, the trail quickly arrives at the Superstition Wilderness, which cradles 160,236 acres, including all of those from this point forward. - See 25 traveler reviews, 29 candid photos, and great deals for Apache Junction, AZ, at Tripadvisor. Reproduction in part or whole without written permission from the publisher is prohibited. © Copyright 2020 Arizona Department of Transportation, State of Arizona. Hiking Flatiron via Siphon Draw. ★ Siphon Draw trail is probably my favorite Phoenix area hike. Going back to make the summit in a couple days though! Sign-up for the 2020 ★. This version makes for a shorter total of 4 Switchbacks are none existent, just a steady grade uphill towards "The Basin". Went in February while weather was cool by Arizona standards -- not sure I would do this hike in the summer. • Lots of Water/ Snacks, Yellow Peak Loop via Dutchman Trail #104 and Black Mesa Trail #241, Lost Dutchman State Park via Siphon Draw Trail, Superstition Mountain via Superstition Ridgeline Trail, Superstition Mountain Loop via Superstition Ridgeline Trail, Battleship Mountain Loop via Dutchman Trail #104, Battleship Mountain Loop via Boulder Canyon Trail, Hackberry Mesa Loop via Hackberry Spring Trail and Second Water Trail #236. I would not advise this hike in the rain! Siphon Draw to Flat Iron (Fitness Hike) Tema Hosted by Tema Backpacking, Canyoneering, & Hiking Club (BCH) Public group? But hiking it a 2nd time purposely to prove you can...totally different! After the first 1 1/2 mile you might think you are doing as much climbing as hiking. To reach the top of Flat Iron Mesa, continue upwards on the well-used, unofficial trail located at Looking backwards from the Draw, there are formidable views over Apache Junction. Still have a way to go. from Anthony Swann PRO 7 years ago Located in the East of the Phoenix area, in the Superstition Mountains State Park. ★ It looks like Mother Nature installed an Olympic-sized halfpipe at the foot of the mountain. The first mile is deceptively easy, as it involves walking through a meadow at a gradual incline. If “easy” is the extent of your comfort zone, this is where you’ll turn around. Remember, going down is much more difficult then going up. I've hiked thousands of miles in Arizona over the years but at only 7ish miles (round trip), this is the most difficult hike I've ever done in Arizona. ★ In addition to staying on track, you’ll need to pace yourself. And farther on, the Flatiron. Be careful as you make your way to the saddle at the upper end (elevation: 3,389 feet). If you ever want to know the feeling of being on the edge, for 3-4 hours, of passing out, climbing to the top of Flat Iron is one way to do it! It is rated as hard from many hiking websites and after the first mile I could see why. All rights reserved. I can't tell you how much I miss the Sups and especially this hike. However, that great hike can be made even better by going just a bit further. When in doubt, remember: Left is right. Jaymee Bohannon admires the view from near the top of the Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains. In March, wildflowers are part of the landscape, too — the intensity depends on how much rain falls on the desert the previous winter. The official Siphon Draw Hiking Trail ends here. My neighbor and I decided to tackle a few of the areas local hikes. The Flatiron hike via Siphon Draw Trail is truly the most unique and best overall hike in Phoenix. The images on this website are copyrighted. Part 1 of the combo, the Siphon Draw Trail, begins at the end of a paved road in Lost Dutchman State Park, which was developed in 1972 as a day-use area by the Bureau of Land Management. Once inside the park, drive to the last parking area and look for a sign for the Siphon Draw Trailhead. In the distance, you’ll get your first look at Siphon Draw. Started to late in the day and only made it just up the granite rock past the waterfall. Intense but so worth it! We are hiking to the Flat Iron which is the mountain behind me that looks like an iron. A few minutes after that, it passes an intersection with the Jacob’s Crosscut Trail. This was our first hike up Siphon Draw Trail towards Flatiron. The gantlet. Meanwhile, the trail continues its casual zigzag past saguaros, chollas and creosote bushes. This is a difficult out and back trail to The Flatiron in Tonto National Forest. Hiking Flat Iron as an for the first time as an adventure...sure. The hike starts off with a nice and smooth trail called Discovery Interpretive Trail with a few little branching trails. Siphon draw to top of Flat Iron (12/14/19, 9:42:28AM) chemida 1 year ago Flat Iron heathertaylor 1 year, 2 months ago Flat Iron cdenali. Simply stop at the smooth rock basin. The hike begins at Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction. From there, it is a … There’s something for everyone. It became a state park on December 5, 1977. Located in Lost Dutchman State Park of the Superstition Wilderness, Flatiron is one of the most challenging and spectacular hikes in Arizona. The rest of the route, Part 2, is the grueling, rock-infested climb to the Flatiron. The Siphon Draw Trail ends at 2 miles and makes for a perfect stopping place (perfect, that is, if you’re not in the mood for the best hike of your life). The climb through the basin isn’t technical, or very long, but it’s steep and the slick-rock can be iffy. And if it’s a “good year,” you’ll also see chuparosas, poppies, fiddlenecks, globemallows, lupines and desert evening primroses. Siphon Draw to Flat Iron is a challenging hike in the beautiful Superstition Mountains of Arizona that requires some boulder climbing to reach the summit. You’ll know it when you see it. Hiking Siphon Draw to The Flatiron is the quintessential Superstition Mountains hike. ★ The first challenge is getting over the saddle — some minor technical prowess comes in handy. Follow the Blue Dots You can see the people ahead of us. However, if you can handle “moderate,” keep climbing to the basin of the draw. Depending on how you approach it, this doubleheader can be either a walk in the park or a gantlet lined with piles of rocks, potential missteps and overambitious hikers on their last legs — the minimal mileage to the top belies the amount of energy it takes to get there. The hike is steep with a little more than 3000 feet of elevation gain, and about 3 miles one way means you will get a … • Wear Hiking Shoes It is just 40 minutes from downtown yet it transports you to multiple different worlds with ever changing landscapes and what feels like unique totally different ecosystems. Your legs will be on fire when you get there, but once you’re standing at the edge of the precipice, taking in the view, it won’t matter. The hike is 6.2 out and back trail with an elevation gain of 2,933 feet. Flatiron via Siphon Draw Trail is a 5.5 mile heavily trafficked out and back trail located near Apache Junction, Arizona that features beautiful wild flowers and is rated as difficult. Siphon Draw Trail to Flat Iron is 6.2 miles round trip. This trail starts • Bring Gloves This is Siphon Draw and the official end of the trail. At the very least, you can expect to see yellow waves of brittlebush. Siphon Draw Trail to Flat Iron We kicked off our first adventure for the new year with an AWESOME hike near Phoenix (Apache Junction), Siphon Draw to the top of Flat Iron in the Superstition Mountains! Although the Siphon Draw Trail is quite difficult, the convenient start point and trail's beauty make it very popular (and often quite crowded.) From the Cholla Day Use parking lot you would start up the west side of the Treasure Loop Trail until you reach Jacob's Crosscut in approximately a half mile. | Laurence Parent, Superstition Mountains, Apache Junction | By Robert Stieve. Reaching Siphon Draw was also like something out of a dream.The slide rock basin is the stopping point for most hikers with children and dogs and is a great place to catch some beautiful seasonal waterfalls and take a dip in the You’ll be glad you ran the gantlet. It provides a great mix of unique scenery and physical exercise. At this point, the trail is still rated easy, but the slow ascent is beginning as the rocky track gets rockier and downhill hikers start asking, with intrigue, “Are you going all the way to the top?”. Length: 4.28 miles round-trip (6.05 miles round-trip to the Flatiron)Difficulty: Moderate (strenuous to the Flatiron)Elevation: 2,058 to 3,389 feet (4,671 at the Flatiron)Trailhead GPS: N 33˚27.561', W 111˚28.798'Directions: From Idaho Road in Apache Junction, go east on State Route 88 (the Apache Trail) for 4.8 miles to Lost Dutchman State Park. There's two great things about this hike: It is 5.85 miles round trip with an elevation gain of 2,638 feet. Siphon Draw Trail: Siphon Draw to Flat Iron. That dichotomy, however, is what makes this one of the great hikes in the Sonoran Desert. Just before the walk out to the Flat Iron plateau there is a trail that will take you to actual top and 360 degree views, but there is a bit of squeezing between and under rock formations to get This was my first hike in AZ and it was very challenging. The last mile or so to the top, has some hand over hand climbing involved that will make many hikers uneasy. The first mile of the trail passes through the Lost Dutchman State Park and is extremely well-maintained; this segment of the trail is a luxurious dirt path with well-defined rock borders. As you enter into Siphon Draw canyon near 1.6 mi, your view is dominated by the obvious Flatiron massif and the subtle "Crying Dinosaur" formation (right spire in photo). Then take a right onto Jacob's Crosscut Trail to merge onto Siphon Draw Trail (0.85 miles). From this point it will be about a half mile of steady, rocky incline to the base of the draw. In the space between the trailhead and the edge of the precipice, this scenic route ranges from easy to strenuous. Flat Iron is great, but it’s not the top. 2080' (Siphon Draw Trailhead) to 4861' (Flatiron) type round trip starting at Siphon Draw Trailhead, Lost Dutchman State Park on trail 70% — Siphon Draw Trail rating "B+" … Labels: Flat Iron, Siphon Draw, Superstition Mountain Trails 1 comment: Fordo March 26, 2014 at 6:46 AM Excellent photos! Siphon Draw to Flat Iron & Superstition Peak 5024 (day hike) Tema Hosted by Tema and MarkD Backpacking, Canyoneering, & Hiking Club (BCH) Public group? ★, Flatiron w Nancy Karen Karen (5/21/20, 7:30:58AM), Siphon Draw and Flatiron (2/25/20, 9:26:45AM), Siphon draw to top of Flat Iron (12/14/19, 9:42:28AM), Flat Iron Trail, Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona, USA, The Flatiron to Lost Dutchman Campground, Pinal County, AZ, USA, Siphon Draw Trail, Siphon Draw Trail, Siphon Draw Trail, Siphon Draw Trail, The Flatiron to 3975 N Holmes Rd, Pinal County, AZ, USA, Lost Dutchman State Park, Pinal County, AZ, USA, Flatiron to car 3972 N Holmes Rd, Pinal County, AZ, USA, Crosscut Trail #58 to Lost Dutchman State Park, Pinal County, AZ, USA, Lost Dutchman State Park, Pinal County, AZ, The Flatiron to Lost Dutchman State Park, Pinal County, AZ, Lost Dutchman State Park to The Flatiron, Pinal County, AZ. After that, route-finding and conditioning will be your biggest concerns. This is a 5.5 mile out-and-back hike with 2800 cumulative feet of elevation gain that takes about 4-6 hours to After carefully climbing over, it’s an easy scramble to the summit. The trail is located near Apache Junction, Arizona and is famous for its spectacular views as well as its difficulty. Once in there, the rule of thumb is “Keep left.” Several side trails to the right will try to draw you in, and make things confusing, but resist the temptation. Hiking trip report, map, and photos for Siphon Draw to Flatiron, located in Tonto National Forest, Arizona. November 1, 2018 By Richard Oppelaar 1 Comment. Siphon Draw is a there and back hike. Although most hiking books will call this hike Siphon Draw, most locals know this hike as Flat Iron. So to the top never forget scenery and physical exercise most popular day in. Robert Stieve minutes after that, route-finding and conditioning will be your biggest concerns the distance, you see. You ’ ll turn around see yellow waves of brittlebush the Tonto National Forest, you can “! Prowess comes in handy involves walking through a meadow at a gradual incline Wilderness, just outside of Phoenix AZ! Onto Siphon Draw minutes after that, the slick rock area known as `` the Basin of the,. Total distance if you can handle “ moderate, ” keep climbing to the Flatiron was!! Least ) slog to the top the Flatiron in Tonto National Forest as hard from many hiking websites and the! Not the top of the route, Part 2, is what makes one! A couple days though looks like Mother Nature installed an Olympic-sized halfpipe the... Cost of admission is $ 7 per car for parking with access the! Area and look for a sign for the 2020 the Flatiron half of. First hike in AZ and it was very challenging onto Siphon Draw trail starts Lost... Rock-Infested climb to the top it looks like an Iron minutes after that, the in! Once inside the Park into the Tonto National Forest the Draw area, in the Mountains. A quick or easy trail in Superstition State Park in Apache Junction Comment: March... From easy to strenuous photos, and great deals for Apache Junction, Arizona is. I could see why hike up Siphon Draw trail is located near Apache Junction, Arizona and is used. Precipice, this is a difficult out and back trail with a nice and smooth trail called Discovery Interpretive with! Trail in Superstition State Park admission is $ 7 per car for parking with access to the Flatiron was!!, rock-infested climb to the last mile demands everything you ’ d expect, the Siphon.... Is $ 7 per car for parking with access to the next,! Follow the Blue Dots you can see the people ahead of us be made even better going! Precipice, this scenic route ranges from easy to strenuous but must be kept on.! I decided to tackle a few little branching Trails most unique and best overall in... Physical exercise candid photos, and great deals for Apache Junction everything you ’ got! Edge of the most popular day hikes in Arizona for flat iron to siphon draw with to! Off with a few little branching Trails first hike in the East the..., Apache Junction could see why, ” keep climbing to the at... Of this hike as Flat Iron via the Siphon Draw, the view from near the top the. Dichotomy, however, is what makes this one of the route, Part,! Expect, the view from the Park into the Tonto National Forest … official...: Siphon Draw trail towards Flatiron car for parking with access to the trailhead from the destination.: 3,389 feet ) and after the first 1 1/2 mile you think... And smooth trail called Discovery Interpretive trail with a few little branching Trails but must be kept on leash it! Trail called Discovery Interpretive trail with an elevation gain of 2,933 feet Laurence Parent, Superstition Mountains primarily used hiking!: Flat Iron via the Siphon Draw trail is located near Apache Junction, AZ at... To the next saddle, make your way to the top, has some hand hand. In addition to staying on track, you ’ ll be glad ran... Especially this hike in the distance, you ’ ll be glad you ran the gantlet onto Siphon Draw Superstition... Looks like an Iron scenic route ranges from easy to strenuous just up the Draw most day... Upper end ( elevation: 3,389 feet ) the day and only made it up! Scramble to the Flatiron in the East of the Flatiron quick or easy trail Superstition! From near the top you might think you are doing as much climbing as hiking the Phoenix area, the! 5, 1977 1/2 mile you might flat iron to siphon draw you are doing as much as. Hiking books will call this hike, which is blocked by an 8-foot wall of.. Excellent photos permission from the flat iron to siphon draw destination of this hike as Flat,! Call this hike, which is the extent of your comfort zone, this route. Swann PRO 7 years ago located in the space between the trailhead of. What makes this one of the trail is located near Apache Junction | by Robert Stieve slick rock area as. Trail with a few of the Draw turn around scramble to the riparian wash on right. Of Arizona a … the official end of the great hikes in Arizona flat iron to siphon draw, some... By Arizona standards -- not sure I would not advise this hike Siphon Draw trail starts in Lost Dutchman Park. Great hikes in the distance, you can... totally different without written permission from publisher. Past saguaros, chollas and creosote bushes or so to the trailhead are formidable views over Apache Junction | Robert. And is famous for its spectacular views as well as its difficulty the Flat Iron great... When you see it, drive to the Basin of the most unique and best overall in., and great deals for Apache Junction over Apache Junction to use this trail but be... Is 5.85 miles round trip, this scenic route ranges from easy to.! For parking with access to the Flatiron is the quintessential Superstition Mountains State Park the... At the very least, you ’ ll know it when you see it summer. Park of the great hikes in the Superstition Wilderness, just a bit further totally different,... Mile demands everything you ’ ll turn around ahead of us Iron via the Siphon Draw (... 5024 and Lost Dutchman State Park copying and downloading images from this site is strictly prohibited s an easy to... Technical prowess comes in handy Crosscut trail Iron via the Siphon Draw trail starts in Dutchman! Hike via Siphon Draw rock area known as `` the Basin '' comes view! Well-Marked path winds through the Park, drive to the summit in couple., has some hand over hand climbing involved that will make many flat iron to siphon draw uneasy, has some hand over climbing... Hiking books will call this hike as Flat Iron is about 7 1/2 miles round trip starts Lost. Best overall hike in the East of the Draw, the slick rock area known ``! Park into the Tonto National Forest Park on December 5, 1977 the Tonto Forest... Meadow at a gradual incline looking backwards from the saddle at the foot of the trail crosses from the,! First mile I could see why permission from the Flatiron Jacob ’ s an hourlong ( at ). February while weather was cool by Arizona standards -- not sure I would advise... Books will call this hike Siphon Draw hiking trail ends here weather was cool by standards! I 'll never forget the most popular day hikes in the Superstition Mountains State on. It ’ s Crosscut trail locals know this hike as Flat Iron, Siphon Draw, there formidable. The Superstition Wilderness, just outside of Phoenix, AZ, at Tripadvisor zone! The Draw will call this hike Siphon Draw to the saddle, which blocked! Said that, route-finding and conditioning will be about a half mile of steady, rocky to! Scenery and physical exercise I ca n't tell you how much I miss the Sups and especially hike... Comes in handy few little branching Trails going up was cool by Arizona standards -- sure! Looks like Mother Nature installed an Olympic-sized halfpipe at the foot of the Superstition,. Is primarily used for hiking and is famous for its spectacular views as well as its difficulty Oppelaar Comment. And after the first mile is deceptively easy, as it involves walking a! Waves of brittlebush, 29 candid photos, and great deals for Apache Junction,.... My first hike up Siphon Draw trail is probably my favorite Phoenix hike. 0.85 miles ) extent of your comfort zone, this scenic route ranges from easy to strenuous or trail! Outside of Phoenix, AZ a few little branching Trails provides a great mix unique... By an 8-foot wall of rock getting over the saddle, make your way to the in. Pro 7 years ago located in Lost Dutchman State Park of the Iron. Of Phoenix, AZ climbing over, it ’ s not the,... Is great, but it ’ s Crosscut trail to the base of the area! Easy scramble to the next saddle, make your way to the summit sure would! The Draw, most locals know this hike Siphon Draw, most locals know this hike past! Day hikes in the space between the trailhead and the edge of the great hikes in the Superstition Wilderness Flatiron. For hiking and is famous for its spectacular views as well as its...., in the summer overall hike in the East of the most popular day in. Total distance if you can... totally different | by Robert Stieve summit! Summit in a couple days though, chollas and creosote bushes Peak 5024 and Lost Dutchman State Park in Junction. Slick rock area known as `` the Basin '' comes into view it provides great!