Red Mountain, Weavers Needle, Superstition Mountains

21-Nov-85

By: Ron Jones

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PRIVATE TRIP

Thanksgiving Morning Vic Henney, Sue Wyman, John Wyman, J Holshuh, Sue Hannah, Don Weiss, Adrienne Knute, Lou Brecheen and I met north of Mesa AZ to climb Red Mtn, an impressive volcanic cone (~4500 ft). We hiked along the fence of the Central Arizona Canal project and up several thousand feet of class 2 and 3 climbing to the summit of this Mopah-type volcanic plug. That afternoon we celebrated Thanksgiving at Usery Desert Park nearby.

Friday we were joined by additional climbers including Joe and Betty McCosker, Terry Rivera, and Alan Toedter and we explored the area around Usery Peak in the morning. That afternoon we met 80 other persons at the central park in Fountain Hills and we participated in the marriage nuptials of Vic & Sue. That evening there was a mexican buffet meal and dancing at the home of Sue's parents.

Saturday morning Bob Meador, Jeff Koepke, Jon & Betsy Lutz, Don Weiss & Judy Ware, Igor and Tanya Mamedalin, Suzanne Thomas, Lou and I made a routine climb of Weavers Needle from the east side followed by a rappel down the cl 5.2 west face. The climb was dedicated to the memory of John Leonard who was scheduled to join us on this climb before his untimely death earlier in the month on Baboquivari. We drank several toasts of Wild Turkey to his memory.

The same day Joe McCosker led several Angeles Chapter climbers up Superstition Mtn. Sunday after Weavers Needle; Don, Judy, Igor, Suzanne, Tanya, Lou and I climbed Superstition via the usual route from Hieroglyph Spring. There was no register on the peak and we left a new notebook. A new register container is needed. This climb we dedicated to the newly wedded Vic & Sue Henney.

The roadhead to Superstition is changing rapidly from the housing developments in the Gold Valley/Kings Ranch roadhead. Following are the latest directions from Apache Junction:

From Apache Junction at the intersection of Hwy 88 north and Hwy 60 east go 6.8 miles to the well-posted King's Ranch Rd. Turn north (left). Go north 2.8 mi, past a cattle guard to King's Way.

Turn east (right) on King's Way for 0.3 mi. Stop sign, turn north (left) on Ironwood.

Pass Tonto Drive on the left & at 0.3 mi turn left on Valley View.

Pass Bronco Lane and follow a long stone wall on your left for 0.3 mi. Pass through a wire fence and follow north (right) for 0.2 mi. Turn east on an unmarked road which is ungraded and very rough. Proceed for 0.6 mi, passing the Ghost Rider Ranch on the left (currently in construct ion) to the end of the road. There is room for 10 or 12 cars and primitive camping is allowed by the Arizona BLM.


Detailed information for visiting one or more peaks mentioned in this article can be found in the
Desert Peak Section Road and Peak Guides

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