Mountain Project Logo
To save paper & ink, use the [Hide] controls next to photos and comments so you only print what you need.

Siphon Draw

Arizona > Central Arizona > *Phoenix Areas > Superstition Mountains
Warning Access Issue: PLACING BOLTS IS ILLEGAL IN THE SUPERSTITION WILDERNESS! DetailsDrop down

Spheres

The Lost Dutchman’s iconic canyon peregrination (SD#53) can be materially split into two distinctive sections: The moderately-attainable, notable, and popular draw (~3200'), which definitively caps and sources the lower bajada;

and the moiling upper arroyo ascent, that’s prevailed steeply with the western crest of the more toilsome Flatiron (~4550'). Understandably, the sweeping, flat and definitive edge of this monolith is most trekkers’ pretension.

Another reason to meander this area could be to complete the Superstition Ridgeline hike between Lost Dutchman and Carney Springs. Regardless, many wayfarers aren’t here to attain the more anecdotal goals of these basins. Perspicacious climbers know the lower sphere is northeasterly boxed in by aptly-named Suction Gully and the North Buttress’ classic Supes climb: Spider Walk.


Below and south of this these two other prominent areas at the base of the steep Ripped Shirt gully, the Siphon Dome (~2550’) projects from the draw's center lower alluvials. Surely the obvious smaller boulders just past this smaller rhyolite resurgence at ~1¼ miles, slightly up-trail and east, have established and upstanding boulder problems.

The steep south flanks of the drainage are obscurely punctuated by Kay’s Pinnacle and the crowd-pleasing Crying Dinosaur.

These apexes are subtlety framed by a precipitous, westerly sweeping facade, terminating with the recondite Forrest Spires’ routes.
aka BC Towers

Other climbing aspirations surely are possible, if not attempted already, predominantly north and east of where the upper basin route culminates.

Photos [Hide ALL Photos]

Lower sphere.
[Hide Photo] Lower sphere.