Rogers Canyon, Superstitions
A Visit To The Salado Indian Ruins
February 17, 2001
 Our hikes for 2001 continued to draw large numbers with regulars such as Tom Van Lew, Jeannie Van Lew, Tim
Reiling, John Guidorizzi, Marilyn Guidorizzi, Chuck Parsons, Darleen Lindquist, Gerry
Kinley, Dave Langford, Yu-Ling Langford, Marge Fons, Ben Velasquez, Elaine
Cobos, and Steve Shaw as well as our faithful companions Sandy, Maggie and Julia. We were pleased to welcome new hikers to our group who included Dan Bishop, Sherry Bishop, Kristen Bishop, Jim Blaugh and Laura
Kaufmann.
The weather forecast for the Phoenix Area was for partly cloudy skies and temperatures in the low 70s. When we met at 6:15 a.m. to begin our trek to the Indian ruins, it was too early and dark to tell what the day would be like. At 6:45, we set out for the long drive to the Rogers Trough trailhead. As we traveled the 12 miles of dirt road that is forest road 172 and 172A, we enjoyed the yellow poppies and blue lupine flowers that were abundant along the roadside. As we neared the trailhead, at an elevation of 4800 feet the wind picked up and the temperature dropped. FS172A had patches of ice and we could see remnants of snow in the shadowed spots on the hills. When we gathered for the obligatory group photo, the temperature was a cold 45° that seemed much colder with the wind.
 At 8:50, the trek into the canyon along Rogers Creek began. The recent snow and rain in the area meant for many photo ops as small waterfalls cascaded over the boulders in the creek. The sights and sounds of the creek made everyone forget that our return to the cars would be mostly uphill.
Our group arrival at the ruins began at around 11:30. Tim radioed that he and Sandy had arrived. Maggie, our more timid Dalmatian, stayed with us. Sandy is much more independent and prefers to stay up front with whomever might be in the lead. A group of boy scouts had already been at the ruins and were on their way out. After their departure, the ruins were ours to enjoy for only a brief time. Others quickly arrived. The article in the March issue of Arizona Highways brought many to visit the ruins on this day. Some even brought copies in to read while they enjoyed climbing into the long ago homes to the Salado Indians. Steve shared a tattered and well used book on the superstitions with the rest of us. It contained photos of what the ruins looked like 50 years ago. It was nice to see that despite the many visitors over the years that the ruins remained in very good condition. One could almost ignore the carvings in the ceiling beams that documented visitors from as long ago as 1983. It was much warmer at the ruins and reminded us that we were now at around 3800 feet and would have to return uphill.
Our group spread out on the return trip as some of us cannot maintain the same pace up as we do down. We counted the number of times we had to cross the creek and all agreed that it was somewhere between 24 and 30. I never can keep count; I must be too easily distracted.
The above listed trip
reports--documenting day hikes, backpacking trips, and car camping trips
organized and arranged by the Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club, Inc.--are
meant to be more of a record of the various events performed by the hiking
club and are not meant to be the only guide for anyone else wishing to do
the same hike or backpacking trip. Instead, they should only be used as a
supplemental to an official guidebook that addresses that specific hike or
backpacking trip. Natural changes (floods, fires, windstorms, etc.) can
occur and change and alter the landscape. The Forest Service sometimes
changes the routing of a trail. Trail junction signs can be removed or
altered. For these reasons, the hiking club's trip reports and even the
official guidebooks may no longer be totally accurate in describing the
trail and its layout. There is always the possibility, however remote, of
a hiker sustaining harm or injury while on any hike, no matter how safe it
may initially seem. The Arizona Trailblazer's Hiking Club, Inc., as well
as any of its officers, directors, representatives, and designated hike
leaders, disclaims any liability or responsibility for accidents,
injuries, damages, or losses whatsoever that may occur to anyone using the
trip reports that are available on our website. The responsibility for
good health and safety while hiking, backpacking, or camping, ultimately
rests with the individual.
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