My First Time Exploring the Flat Iron Hike Via the Siphon Draw Trail
Discovering the Flat Iron Hike in Arizona
When I first visited Arizona years ago, I wanted to experience as much of its desert beauty as possible in the short time I had. That meant finding a place where I could explore the best of its exotic arid landscape without cutting into my schedule too much.
After a little research, I decided to visit the Lost Dutchman State Park in the Superstition Mountains. It featured an impressive trail network and seemed to be settled in the ideal location for an outdoor excursion.
However, while reviewing the park’s map online, I noticed an unusual feature: one trail that branched out much further than the others.
Labeled Siphon Draw, it was the only one that rose above the mountain’s base and seemingly right to the summit. At its peak, the Siphon Draw trail reached an elevation of 4861 feet, over 2300 feet higher than the second highest trail’s highest point. Needless to say, I was intrigued.
Preparing to Hike Flat Iron Via the Siphon Draw Trail
Unfortunately, I knew that I wouldn’t be ready for the Siphon Draw during my initial visit to Lost Dutchman State Park. The brochure’s description clearly depicted it as a trail well beyond my fitness level at that time.
However, over the next few years, I would significantly improve my health and lose a decent amount of weight. I would also become quite the avid hiker, trekking terrain spanning from deserts to rain forests, culminating at one point to the entire 80 mile Georgia segment of the Appalachian Trail.
So during my next return to the Superstition Mountains, I was ready for the challenge.
To be clear, there are several warnings in the park and on its website regarding the trail’s challenges and dangers. Though only 5-6 miles round trip, even seasoned hikers are expected to take 5-6 hours to complete the hike, not including any time spent stopping and enjoying the sights.
Along the way, hikers can expect exceptionally rugged terrain and sharp rock edges. Wildlife encounters aren't uncommon. I knew the Flat Iron Hike via the Siphon Draw Trail would test everything I’d learned as a hiker. Naturally, I couldn’t wait.
Starting the Flat Iron Hike on the Siphon Draw Trail
The Siphon Draw trail starts out easily enough, much like the others in Lost Dutchman State Park. It begins in the last day use area but soon travels into the Tonto National Forest.
It winds over some flat terrain, passing through the campgrounds. I enjoyed close looks at unique flora like teddy bear chollas and the legendary saguaro cactus. The trek was pretty light at first, giving me plenty of time to warm up for the greater challenge ahead.
Temperatures hovered in the 80s, but the low desert humidity kept the hike comfortable. A faint creosote scent filled the air as Superstition Mountain loomed high overhead.
The Siphon Draw trail continued around what appeared to be the front of the mountain from Lost Dutchman’s perspective. Passing that point revealed a canyon carved into the mountainside (and a peak that suddenly seemed much higher than before).
Crossing Into the Superstition Wilderness
As I hiked well past the campsites into a more remote trail segment, I passed a sign marking the Superstition Wilderness. It is here that the canyon and climb begin. The elevation gain is light initially, but it's clear that won't last for long.
Crossing into the Superstition Wilderness marks the real start of the Superstition Mountains hiking trail’s challenge.
It became clear why this hike would take so long to complete. The sign revealing the transition from state park to national wilderness correlates with the geological shift to rockier terrain. Shortly after that shift, I begin to step in between the rock formations that have captivated visitors for centuries. And soon, I will be climbing them.
The climb gains intensity as it gives way to a stone platform of sorts, with cascading steps of rock leading higher. Some very interesting formations await just ahead, enhancing both the Siphon Draw’s intrigue and rigor. This area is actually a wash during the occasional desert rainstorm, and evidence of this can be seen along the path ahead.
Just to my left, I spot the desert’s version of a “waterfall”. And up ahead, the wash’s foliage is surprisingly thick for an arid region. There are times when it feels more like hiking through a jungle than a desert.
Climbing Higher Through the Siphon Draw Canyon
As I hike/climb higher, the Siphon Draw begins leading over, through, and around the large rock formations, providing a challenging yet fulfilling excursion. At this point, it’s sometimes difficult to tell where exactly the trail is supposed to go.
Granted, it all leads to the same place (the top of the canyon), but some areas are, well, better for hiking and climbing than others. There are a few blazes, but they're faded and barely visible.
Years later, those blazes are still faint. That's why our guided Siphon Draw Flat Iron hike ensures you take the safest, most direct route to the top.
Climbing further, I begin to see some new and interesting plant life. The saguaro cacti and chollas continue along the mountainside, but they are now joined by more yucca and blooming agave plants.
Meeting Fellow Hikers on the Trail
I also ran into a few other hikers. One, a man from North Carolina, was (like me) also traveling on a cross-country road trip. He had already made it to California and was (in no hurry) traveling back home.
He agreed that Arizona's majestic landscape and desert terrain are unbelievably awesome. He also mentions a particularly intimidating rock wall ahead that led many to abandon their hike early. However, I’ve come too far not to try.
A little higher, I came across another hiker who was clearly in great shape. We also talk about how much we love the Superstition Mountains and this particular trail.
Like the last hiker, he confirms that the rock wall is, indeed, pretty intimidating. So much, in fact, that he ultimately changed his mind and turned around.
Climbing the Siphon Draw Rock Wall
Further up, I finally reach the infamous 13(ish) foot rock wall. I tried to take some pictures of it, but they make it seem less formidable than in person. I actually had to take a few moments to plan my ascent.
The front bulges from the mountain awkwardly. I couldn’t get a great grip on the rocks here and knew that an attempt to climb would likely send me sliding onto some pretty rigid terrain below. Thick foliage combined with a steep slope make it impossible to climb up the left side. The right was actually a crevice.
I wasn't yet an experienced climber and realized this would require a little skill. So, I decided to go for it anyway. The crevice is narrow enough for me to push my arms and legs against the side, suspending my weight while carefully pushing myself up. Honestly, I had not yet climbed like this before and was probably taking a pretty big risk.
By taking my time, I managed to hoist myself up the rock wall — a small but satisfying achievement on a trail segment that turns many hikers back.
I have since discovered a path around the wall. But, where's the fun in that?
If you prefer to climb it (like me), I definitely recommend wearing a pair of hiking boots with grip.
Reaching the Top of the Flat Iron
Above the rock wall, the trail levels out, turning into a smooth, light stroll from the top of Siphon Draw to the Flat Iron.
As the easy path converges with Flat Iron’s surface, the desert flora begins thinning out. Small bushes, yucca and prickly pear cacti replace the teddy bear chollas and saguaros. Majestic rock formations adorn the area, with views stretching for many miles.
Birds dart all around me at full-flight speeds. It should probably cause some level of concern, but I’m just too captivated by my surroundings to let anything bring me down.
As I walk to and stand on the western edge of Flat Iron (the very edge, in fact), I see the deep, rugged, and just awesome canyon stretch back down to the Valley of the Sun below.
Phoenix’s skyline shimmers far in the distance, but it’s hardly an afterthought compared to the view before me. It’s surreal to think that I just finished hiking that entire distance - and I had the top all to myself! Past the valley, the mountains continue as far as the eye can see. It is moments like these that define the passion for a life of exploration.
From the edge of Flat Iron, I located the actual peak of Superstition Mountain just to the northeast. It appears to be at least similar in elevation from my current standpoint. However, the sun would begin setting soon. I didn’t want to be caught out here in the dark, so I had to forego that experience this time, leaving me with something to look forward to during my next visit.
The climb down was nearly as challenging as the hike up. I had to take each step carefully and ensure that I was not descending on the rocky terrain too rapidly. I make it back to Lost Dutchman just in time to see the setting sun cast a red glow across Superstition Mountain. This is easily one of the best hikes in the Superstition Mountains - and, honestly, in my life.
