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| Storm Chasing | 2.00 Miles |
200 AEG |
| | Storm Chasing | 2.00 Miles | 3 Hrs | | 0.67 mph |
| 200 ft AEG | | | | |
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| no partners | | Snow on the Superstitions
I awoke at my usual early hour but it was too dark outside to see if we had gotten any snow overnight. So I was pleasantly surprised when daylight broke and I could see that the Superstitions were covered in a light coating of snow from the top all the way down the slopes. I quickly put on some warm clothing and gathered my cameras in hopes of getting some Snowy Superstition shots.
In the past couple of snow events I concentrated on the Southern slopes, driving to Broadway TH, only to find that it was already packed with sightseers. So this time I opted for the Western slopes and up into Siphon Draw. My first stop was a prominent hill overlook along Lost Dutchman Blvd just East of Goldfield Road, which already had attracted a small crowd of photographers and lookers.
I took a few shots from this angle then headed for the Mining Camp Restaurant where the parking lot was already filling up. Again I took some photos from the parking lot then headed out on the trails. The trails were wet and muddy but there was still lots of snow clinging to the desert flora. The early blooming Brittlebush were covered with a coating of slush-like snow that weighed down the stems causing them to bend in an arc. Occasionally the red blooms of the Penstemon could be seen poking out of the snowy desert.
There was an unusual number of hikers heading up the Siphon Draw Trail and I wondered just how many would chance the trail beyond the Slickrock Basin  (I found out after reading syoung's Triplog http://hikearizona.com/photoset=33436 ). I worked my way around the sloping foothills but was unsatisfied with the early morning lighting from this angle (0800-1000) with its dark shadows and harsh light.
It was indeed a wintry wonderland  out there and I was wishing that I had gone to Fremont Saddle and out to the lone pinon tree for some snowy scenic shots of Weavers Needle.... Maybe next time  |
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Wildflowers Observation Light
There's lots of Brittlebush and even some bright red Penstemon blooming amid the snow. |
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| On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another Gold Mine. Today the mine was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the next trip. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
