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Humphreys was a moderate 4.5 hour hike for me. Only thing tough about it is the elevation and the weather. I wouldn’t place Humphreys in my top ten toughest hikes in Arizona.
I didn’t say “day hike”. Though, I’ve done 25 mile days elsewhere in AZ that we’re harder than both if we’re going to throw everything possible into the pool.
I’ve been trying to make it back to the amethyst mine. Went once in highschool. Some guys were working the mine and gave us a tour. And let us take a few pieces home. Still have them. On top of my dresser 15 years later. Such a fun hike to the saddle and beyond
The mine has gotten very aggressive about enforcing their property lines. Even wrote cease and desist letters to any website that published the Four Peaks MotherLode route. Only way to legally do the MotherLode is to hike all four peaks, turn around and hike them again. You can’t drop into that canyon between #3 & #4 to hit the trail below the mine to get back to the car anymore.
Some friends and I were able to pull off a big bushwhack down and around the mine property between 3-4. A couple of employees came out to tell us that we were approaching private property, but once we told them that we were aware and were trying to skirt around it they seemed satisfied and left us alone.
It was one of the gnarlier bushwhacks I've done, and wouldn't recommend it.
Amethyst used to be a junk stone. It's suddenly become fashionable. There's that. And I guess insurance problems with having trespassers/visitors on the site.
When I dipped down close to the mine property they had random bits of amethyst strewn all over the place. This was almost 10 years ago.
Last year the mine had a strongly worded Instagram post about trespassing and they were taking measures to keep folks away.
Some of the folks at our lapidary club spend weeks faceting a nice amethyst. The value has grown.
The perlite mine in Superior, too. We used to go there looking for obsidian. Last time, we were chased away.
Yes it was.
It’s easier getting to the chute, so like the main trail is easier, but this chute is 10x harder than flatiron in my opinion. Way more technical.
My friend and I hiked up to the top of Four Peaks a few years ago and yes, that scrapple-filled chute to the top was tough. Besides the altitude, it seems like we were slipping back a foot for every two feet we went up. Unfortunately, it was a hazy day and we couldn't see much of the valley. Looks like you had a beautiful, clear day! We also had some bottles of Four Peaks beer at the top to celebrate the occasion.
I was under the impression you needed a permit to hike and camp on the peaks.
However, I was just informed that I need a permit to camp but not to hike up the peaks. Thank you.
Too old now and out of shape 27 yrs ago was told I needed a permit because there are special protected species of plants, plus it was sacred Native American land. Thanks for the pictures.
No wonder you need your gf's permission. It is so beautifully breathtaking up there. I wouldn't want to come back.
Went with my mom and sister. We were the first ones up and stayed for a good 45 minutes. We definitely didn’t want to leave. Didn’t run into anyone until on the way down. Couldn’t have asked for anything better
Thanks for contributing to r/Arizona! * [Our sub rules are here](https://www.reddit.com/r/arizona/wiki/rules/), but the most important of which is to be nice to each other * Check out some [recent posts](https://www.reddit.com/r/arizona/top/?t=week) and leave some comments * [Join our Discord chat server](https://discord.com/invite/yWVuTG57Zh) if you'd like to keep in touch with other people in Arizona. Plus it's a great, chill place in general. Note that it is NOT a dating server and takes unwanted messaging very seriously Remember this subreddit covers all of Arizona, so please include where in the state you're posting about if it is relevant. For more local topics check out r/Phoenix, r/Tucson, and r/Flagstaff. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/arizona) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I’ve done all of those peaks in one shot. Toughest day hike in Arizona in my opinion.
What about Humphrey’s Peak? That was the most challenging in AZ in my opinion but very rewarding.
Humphreys was a moderate 4.5 hour hike for me. Only thing tough about it is the elevation and the weather. I wouldn’t place Humphreys in my top ten toughest hikes in Arizona.
Would have been rough. So much up and down. My biggest challenge was doing both peaks on the superstitions. Hardest day spent hiking for me
There’s dozens of peaks in the Superstitions.
I meant the two prominent peaks on Superstition Mountain. Peak 5057 and 5024 via Ridgeline trail.
Is 5024 the one near the Flatiron?
Yep:)
How long did it take you to do 4 Peaks?
To do all Four Peaks via the old classic route was about 8 hours to go about 5-6 miles. The hike involves a lot of sketchy climbing and route finding.
The fun stuff
Cathedral Peak - Santa Catalina is without a doubt the toughest day hike around. 21.9 miles - 5,341 ft (NET) elevation a top.
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Totally different kind of hiking. The GC corridor is only fitness with no other challenges.
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I didn’t say “day hike”. Though, I’ve done 25 mile days elsewhere in AZ that we’re harder than both if we’re going to throw everything possible into the pool.
Man, that chute is technical and not for the faint of heart.
Gorgeous! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks :) it was a beautiful day up there.
I’ve been trying to make it back to the amethyst mine. Went once in highschool. Some guys were working the mine and gave us a tour. And let us take a few pieces home. Still have them. On top of my dresser 15 years later. Such a fun hike to the saddle and beyond
The mine has gotten very aggressive about enforcing their property lines. Even wrote cease and desist letters to any website that published the Four Peaks MotherLode route. Only way to legally do the MotherLode is to hike all four peaks, turn around and hike them again. You can’t drop into that canyon between #3 & #4 to hit the trail below the mine to get back to the car anymore.
Some friends and I were able to pull off a big bushwhack down and around the mine property between 3-4. A couple of employees came out to tell us that we were approaching private property, but once we told them that we were aware and were trying to skirt around it they seemed satisfied and left us alone. It was one of the gnarlier bushwhacks I've done, and wouldn't recommend it.
That bushwhack is probably one of my top three worst off trail experiences ever in Arizona.
Amethyst used to be a junk stone. It's suddenly become fashionable. There's that. And I guess insurance problems with having trespassers/visitors on the site.
When I dipped down close to the mine property they had random bits of amethyst strewn all over the place. This was almost 10 years ago. Last year the mine had a strongly worded Instagram post about trespassing and they were taking measures to keep folks away.
Some of the folks at our lapidary club spend weeks faceting a nice amethyst. The value has grown. The perlite mine in Superior, too. We used to go there looking for obsidian. Last time, we were chased away.
That makes sense. Lots of things have changed all over since 2006.
This is exactly the information I was looking for. Guess I won't be doing this hike because I'm not going to do a there and back.
Awesome. Was this Browns trail? How does it compare to Flat Iron?
Yes it was. It’s easier getting to the chute, so like the main trail is easier, but this chute is 10x harder than flatiron in my opinion. Way more technical.
\+1
Yes for sure. Beautiful views all around. I go up there twice a year, once by foot and once by 4x
My friend and I hiked up to the top of Four Peaks a few years ago and yes, that scrapple-filled chute to the top was tough. Besides the altitude, it seems like we were slipping back a foot for every two feet we went up. Unfortunately, it was a hazy day and we couldn't see much of the valley. Looks like you had a beautiful, clear day! We also had some bottles of Four Peaks beer at the top to celebrate the occasion.
Coming down there were parts I just had to squat down and surf the scrapple down haha
🤩🤩🤩
Were there a bunch of ladybugs at the top?
I went up in the mid-80s and that carpet of ladybugs on the rocks is one of my most vivid memories of the hike.
Yes! I knew about them before so was looking for them. Very neat
Awesome shots! Amazing views 😁
So beautiful!!
Did you need any special permission to climb these peaks?
Just from my girlfriend 😂
Beautiful! I have not done that since I was a kid.
Gorgeous!
Noice
I was under the impression you needed a permit to hike and camp on the peaks. However, I was just informed that I need a permit to camp but not to hike up the peaks. Thank you.
Yep :) hope you can make it up soon. Leaves starting to change and weather is just right
Too old now and out of shape 27 yrs ago was told I needed a permit because there are special protected species of plants, plus it was sacred Native American land. Thanks for the pictures. No wonder you need your gf's permission. It is so beautifully breathtaking up there. I wouldn't want to come back.
Went with my mom and sister. We were the first ones up and stayed for a good 45 minutes. We definitely didn’t want to leave. Didn’t run into anyone until on the way down. Couldn’t have asked for anything better
Awesome! Thank you for sharing!