Arizona Trailblazers - Trip Report

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Apache Leap
Day Hike

Superior

March 23, 2002

by Ted Tenny

Picketpost Mountain and Superior from Apache Leap

Squeeze between the rocks, without getting stuck.

    On the high, rugged cliffs east of Superior, a band of heroic Apaches jumped into history and legend rather than surrender to the U.S. Cavalry.

    On this hike we set out to enjoy the history, legend, charismatic rock formations and awesome overviews of this wild land!

    Starting from the Magma Mine Road, we bushwhacked our way up to the rim.

    Although the contours on the map appear smooth and moderate, the terrain on Apache Leap is incredibly rugged.

    Half of the hike is over car- and truck-sized boulders with manzanita growing in between them.

    After many ups and downs we found ourselves on the rim, looking down over the Queen Creek Tunnel and the mining country east of Superior.

When you see Donkey Canyon, start looking for cairns.

King's Crown Peak from Apache Leap

From the first overlook we hiked cross country, up and down ridges and eventually back to the rim. Here we enjoyed a spectacular overview of Picketpost Mountain, Superior, and Donkey Canyon. Cairns led us south over the boulders to a precipitous overlook of the White Canyon wilderness and more of the mining country.

Ted recognized it as our turning point. 100 yards east of the rim, a stock watering tank marks the beginning of our trail back to civilization.

    In another mile we turned left on a dirt road to return to the mine siding.

    But the road itself has become a mining district. There were two active drilling rigs.

    Stephen asked what it was all about, and learned that they were drilling for copper, 7000' below the surface of the road. Although there are mine tunnels under Oak Flat, additional deposits may lie beneath the road to the south.

When you see this gearshift knob, you’re near the road.

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updated March 16, 2007