ONLY 1 WAY INTO THIS CANYON, Superstition Mountains Arizona #8 (Easy Clues)

3.5 Mile Loop HIKE that requires route finding the entire way, no trail. Boulder hopping and scrambling among Rock formations, Talas Tunnels, Slot Canyon, Passages, unusual plant life, Hidden Gems of Nature. Hiked November 2020.
Music Credits:
www.bensound.com/royalty-free...
www.bensound.com/royalty-free...
www.dropbox.com/s/cto6l3pjbp3...

[@jfriz5308]

Thanks for the clues. I think I know the general area of where this slot canyon is based on the roads I have seen around Apache Junction.

[@MrLoadedweapon]

I climbed Weavers needle at 11:30 pm under a full moon with 3 friends. Was the best experience I will always remember. I was 17 yrs. old ..Now I'm 60! Love The Superstitions

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Night Hikes in the Desert are pretty cool. Sounds like a great trip.

[@drummer7117]

Appears to be part of what was called "The Little Grand Canyon" Used to be a turnout just Mi. 16 on the right. You can see where the old railings were torched off and a little of blacktop too. You can see it if you look. Quite a drop!

[@libertyvilleguy2903]

Really a cool canyon.

[@trendkill1891]

As an Apache I heard from my grandma that people thought we were protecting gold and precious metals but that this was untrue and only apparent. It’s said The Creator or Black Water Grandfather had appointed Mountain Spirits(Gaan) to reside and protect the mountains. A lost band of Apache had made a pact with the Mountain Spirits to protect and watch one specific thing. Something deep in the flesh of the mountains something real old that don’t want to be bothered or dug up. The rumor is ancient dark energies made their home in the mountain long before people were created. It needed to be respected and sometimes appeased to quell it’s dangerous nature. It’s unclear exactly what it was but I hear there’s a hole like a small mouth of a cave up, a 5ft area clearing in front of the hole there where animals refuse to go. Spooky but mythology nonetheless

[@josephshaneferguson6561]

would you be talking about the black legion

[@trendkill1891]

@@josephshaneferguson6561 She called them something in Apache but I think so, I looked up what you’re talking about and it sounds like the same thing but whatever was going on in that discovery channel show I just seen clips from was scripted all to hell😂😂 I don’t think they’re still up there these days leaving black hand prints but who knows

[@offroader5]

Not the only way. If you would have went a very short distance more down the road, there is a small masonry enclosure on the West side of the road. Across the road from here you can easily scale down the rock face into the canyon with very little issue. So much less treacherous of a down climb vs. where you all went down. Did you go through the extremely narrow "cave" (actually a rock fall)? The end of this hike was through the concrete culvert, and up to the road. Oddly enough the walk back up the road to my car was way more strenuous (for me at least) than the hike in the canyon.

[@masterbryan7106]

Would be a great oasis for apocalypse living

[@Hidden_Destinations]

Great video! As the authors know, don’t go during monsoon season. Rain many miles away can flood washes and slots quickly. I work for Search and Rescue.

[@mitchmiller7204]

@Hidden_Destinations. Not to mention, it's too hot during monsoon season and the rattlesnakes are out.

[@josephthibeault9919]

Lived on Superstitions Mountains in 1969-70 .Apache Junction. Great memories, love that Mountain.

[@StevenHanover]

Any idea where the buried treasures are?

[@stevesauck7001]

The Superstitions is my favorite place to hike. So beautiful, and I love the stories, myths and folklore about the Superstitions.

[@IDGAF56852]

There was a park ranger that was in charge of this national park years ago that would never go into the superstition mountains at night time,even during the daytime there are very bizzare things that have happened to people and park rangers over the years. From cryptids to portals and skinwalkers this place is one to be very wary of.

[@mawi1172]

Yes, keep the dream alive.....

[@michaelshepherd733]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@IDGAF56852]

@@michaelshepherd733 laugh all you want,I'd like to see you hike in there at night time by yourself, I bet you wouldn't have the balls to do that and that laugh would be wiped off your face very quickly.

[@IDGAF56852]

@Ma Wi ok well let's see you hike in there by yourself at night time then,I bet you wouldn't. Ya all keyboard warrior's.

[@TrailToughTrailers]

WOW... great video and giving hints to find the location is a cool idea. Thank you for sharing with others especially with kids who don't like "Hiking." I'm that type of person.... I LOVE seeing the scenery change, but hate walking. What's really ironic is, I read Colin Fletcher's 1000 Mile Summer in the 90's and thought... "Why in the world would anyone walk from Mexico to Oregon along the eastern side of California when they had cars back in the 50's." I'm a Navy brat and we drove back and forth across country so driving to see things was more my style. BUT... I had the opportunity to ask Fletcher why would he walk when cars were available and after hearing him out, in 2000, I re-walked his 1000 Mile Summer "hike". It was LIFE CHANGING!!! Oh I still hate walking, BUT I love being outdoors MORE so I do play in the woods from time to time. Now that I'm almost 70, I play a little less often and watch other people's video and this one is really awesome.... again thank you!!!

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Glad you liked the video. That 1000 mile Summer Hike sounds like an incredible hike. I think I'll look into it. Thanks.

[@mackhoopes7131]

Hiked this today. Was so awesome. Went to the end where the creek goes under the highway in a huge cement culvert. 3 Miles trip. thanks again for sharing

[@corpsmankind]

Was that an octopus at the end? Is there an ocean under AZ?

[@intheredcold9216]

Grew up in Arizona and used to love to walk around in the desert. I'm a rock hound and just like to look for rocks rather than the experience of just hiking. However that Canyon would have been what we used to call an ankle breaker. Probably a little too much for me nowadays.

[@Dan-we7vs]

Tucson late 50s early 60s. 👍

[@tzazarizona2676]

Great video, I am fortunate to live within several miles of the Flatiron at the west end of the superstition mountains in Gold Canyon and look at them from our kitchen window, love Arizona.

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Gotta like it! what a beautiful view!

[@swikfors]

There’s another hike fairly close to this area where you have to pass thru a long conduit. That leads to an old car at the bottom of the canyon that’s all shot up and rusted out.

[@ngoodyke]

Do you know the name of that hike or the coordinates?

[@swikfors]

You start here: maps.app.goo.gl/tHr1CtovS69hyjKu6

[@rondye9398]

Put some ankle support boots on that kid. I'm sure he would be a bit much to carry out of that hole!

[@nabi5864]

The Native Americans I ran into in that area laughed at the story of Apache still protecting the area... They said it's more about the spirit of those Apaches that actually did defend their land back in the days against the invading European Colonial folks

[@skepticalgenious]

Interesting how the rocks appear lighter in colors on the ground. Vs the light brown rocks. Awesome video. Cool to think of water forming those paths over many years.

[@stevenshaw8780]

What was that at the very end. Because th÷te was a 411 in that area from 2020. Just saying. Thanks. That was fun.

[@kevina-azbackcountryexplor1413]

Interesting concept how you give clues about this hike. Looks like an awesome adventure. I'm gonna try to find it.

[@johnhumphreys6780]

Awesome video, I found the parking spot but had trouble finding the path down into the canyon. Storms were rolling in so I’ll come back another time. Thanks for sharing!

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Sounds like a safe choice. With all the rain this summer, there may be some impassable sections or sections you have to swim. There really isn't a path down to the one spot you enter the canyon, you can route find down most of the way until you are opposite the canyon that joins this canyon and then work your way over the right side of the intersecting canyon and you should be able do drop into the canyon. You might find a few cairns to help you down into the canyon when you get close to the bottom.

[@ryancourtright]

I made it down here last Sunday, thanks for the tip! That hike has a little bit of everything. The slot canyon was filled with water, will have to come back later when it's dried up. Love the videos, keep em coming!

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Glad you liked it, this hike was the driest I have ever seen it.

[@carlrosenbaum3754]

Do you still do your tours and make youtube videos ? I am kinda knew to your channel only seen a few of your videos most of them from 2 years ago.

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

I do have newer videos, but unfortunately I have been so busy the last 18 months that I haven't posted very many videos or gone on many hikes. The list of Hidden Gems to hike and video keeps getting longer and longer.

[@whitebeardskydaddy6756]

You mentioned twelve years ago. That gray hair and receding line are catching you? I am right behind you brother! Heck I might be ahead of you. Not sure, but I feel your pain. And I intend to leave this world exploring and looking! This hike was a blast, and I wasn't even there!

[@brassteeth3355]

I've always wanted to spend time in that area. Thanks for the exposure to a beautiful place.

[@UweJMeyer]

Great pictures, take care and greatings from Germany 👍

[@mccoyhomer3641]

I went into a mine in the superstition mountain long time ago turquoise was laying all over back then it was a old gold mine it was cool

[@desertratimir]

Thanks for the videos. It adds to the fun going over topo maps to figure out where these places are. I hiked down into this canyon December 2021, but came in from the opposite end from where you came down. Scared up a couple of javelina on the way in. Unfortunately I didn't have enough time to make it all the way to the tunnel. I'm sure it's full of water this spring, so will have to try again next winter if its not too wet.

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Glad you enjoy them. Hopefully you'll get a chance next spring to do this hike. I did this hike in November 2020 after a dry monsoon summer. it was the driest I have ever seen it.

[@veeks1884]

Great video! I'm definitely going to try and check this one out soon!

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@minustaco42zero24]

This was very cool and interesting to see. Great video

[@matildagreene1744]

Nothing more interesting than going down into a canyon which hasn't been explored for eons...☺...Off trail of course

[@brisk4u]

We are going to try this hike tomorrow for Easter. I watched the video all the way through twice can't find it on my map though but we're going to go out today and see if we could find it. I love all your videos thank you so much for sharing!! It's really awesome that you take the kids out into nature so important!!

[@sharonlereazoh857]

I really want to explore this magnificent place but I'm really far from there I'm in Cameroon a nice place to explore

[@sharonlereazoh857]

I'm Sharon Nelly

[@carlrosenbaum3754]

Great video thanks for sharing.

[@russell7489]

Looks like you checked the weather first, as this is dry as a bone, a bright sunny day, so unlike so many disaster videos, a safe day to explore a slot canyon

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Not just a great day, this canyon holds water, so if you have a wet monsoon summer or a wet winter, you still have to be cautious or prepared to swim/wade the pools filled with water.

[@sabinereimer7809]

I could show you so many hidden gems on my little island Flores/Azores... no tourist would ever find on his/her own.😉

[@MrMmadura]

Tortilla Flats! I’ve been hiking back there many times when I lived out there in late 90s - I’ve seen some interesting things back there....great rock hounding but be careful of snakes.

[@Melsincatuation]

Hmmm what do u mean by interesting??

[@Druidwil]

Really enjoyed your video , thanks for sharing

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@timesurfingalien]

I built a cell tower between apache junction and queens valley. I believe it was queens valley. Been a long time. Beautiful country

[@sophiasummers1637]

There is a difference between hiking , which is equated with accumulating miles or destinations vs wandering around and exploring.

[@NorwayHikesTrails]

Nice video. Thank you for sharing

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@daveycrocket4873]

I'd be looking in every nook and cranny for hidden bags of gold from the olden days. You never know. That's when you always come across it when you're not really looking you're just out hiking

[@charlesrosebushes7748]

You're more likely to run into rattlesnakes than gold

[@karensmith2174]

Great hike!! Had fun doing it today. Made it down into the canyon and back to 'The Rock' (at 10:20). In the video, your son-in-law climbed down and made it look easy, it but it was at that point, we decided we would come back another day with a rope and give it a try. Thanks for the video.

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Kyle climbed, but the first time I went down the rock, I slid down on my bottom to the rock next to the hole. Hope you're able to make it next time.

[@justlivingandkickingit3879]

🌵✅😎 thank you for the videos

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

My pleasure, literally. Thanks for watching

[@ashleybonanno3043]

I've been several times to the ghost town beside Superstition Mt. I'm pretty sure that I'm not going to go back because of the spine tingling vibes that I & my husband got.😱

[@Mike-01234]

Hate to get caught down in there in a flash flood.

[@louiszima944]

really cool video .enjoyed watching it .

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Thank you 👍

[@drakeweddner]

Thank you so much for showing me this

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Any time!

[@say_when5988]

I live/work in Supai and could tell you some pretty weird and very interesting stories.

[@dannasettle2696]

Please do tell

[@jigold22571]

Thank You. Fabulous 👏

[@moik2747]

If there's anyone out there with a Drone please make a video of this wonderful place and post it so all KZbin can view it. Thanks . 👍👏😃

[@sharonlereazoh857]

That will be great😂💞

[@Masters197cs]

So what was that red thing that found ?

[@shroomkilla1]

Apache slot canyon

[@AM-jw1lo]

You should use "name" for "son in law" would make listening easier too.

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Thanks for the input, I have made that change in most of my videos since then. His name is Kyle.

[@aleisterlowenstein9526]

Enjoyed your video nice job. I m am east coast transplant and enjoy how folks make you work to discover things out here. Its more rewarding as you know. I subscribed.

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Thanks 👍

[@jbalzer1]

Thank you for this!! We made or today Thank to your help.

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Glad you made it, glad you enjoyed it.

[@arizonabeaver3760]

Nice. Drove that the other day and actually turned around somewhere where you parked. The drive to the lake is SLOW. People getting road rage behind you cause it's 15 mph pretty much.

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Yes, there are a lot of people on the weekend going for Joy rides, but almost no one goes on this hike, so it's a good place to escape the crowds.

[@Peter7966]

Nice hike. Looks like good rattlesnake country.

[@tonics7121]

The ultimate guy-thing. :)

[@2Goiz_1ShanDA]

Turkey tail mushroom or fungus i believe. 'chicken of the woods' 🍄 thats a medicinal fungi doc👍

[@antlers4hire306]

Hey I wanna take a coworker out to this it's a bit of a drive so just curious if the last rain was over a month ago would it still be full of water?

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

I haven't been in the canyon recently, but I have been backpacking in the Superstitions this spring and every gully had water in it and ever main wash was flowing like a mountain stream. Although not much flows in this canyon, I am sure that there are plenty of pools of water. It's a short hike, so if you drop down into the canyon and come across an impassible pool, you can go back without much problem or go with clothes you can get wet a couple of fun noodles. Hope you enjoy the trip.

[@matthewmartin332]

Cool footage, sir!

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Glad you enjoyed it. It's a cool hike

[@treasuretom13]

Beautiful slot canyon hike! New subber here..what was that creature? On the last slide?

[@StephenSternGoth]

I love the filming you did at 7 minutes in very stev Irwin

[@Bobby007D]

Nature is so much better than .... anything !

[@paleogeology9554]

One of my claims near parker az has a slot canyond like that with massive bolders. Last year we had a storm come through that actually pushed rocks like that down the wash like tumbleweeds and removed over 50 ft of gravel out of the wash making it totally impossible to reach that claim in anything but foot. hopefully these rains we been getting with push the gravels back into that canyon so we can use it as a road again

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Sounds like a pretty interesting place. Hope you can make it back to your claim.

[@fload46d]

This is actually just outside of Phoenix. Cool.

[@elsaint7657]

amazing

[@rulistening7777]

Like flash floods never happen.

[@allinforjesus]

how many rattle snakes did you come across?

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

None. Never even heard a snake in this canyon, but I have hiked it in November, December and January.

[@jerryiuliano871]

Upper Fish Creek canyon is similar to this hike but more expansive. Problem is you have to approach from the south or upper level which is bushwacking to the extreme. Hiking in the Superstitions has one unwritten rule, you can only go forward, if you try to backtrack bushwacking you will probably die. These hikes will take several days. Only hike from November to February or you will perish.

[@fununderthesun3209]

Too bad the road to fish Creek washed out and you're not allowed to even hike down to it from the top bathroom stop before the road dropped down into the canyon.

[@antlers4hire306]

What do you mean about not going back?

[@craig5477]

Great idea. I’m onboard

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Welcome aboard!

[@toddmurat2673]

Awesome hike, can I ask? How often do you see wildlife on these hikes? I would imagine some of the wilder critters roam around down there at some point. Thank you for sharing!!

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Glad you enjoyed the video/hike. I see a lot of animal sign, but only a little wildlife. I've been in this canyon 4 times and have only seen a ground squirrel once, no snakes, nothing else, not even many birds. Some hikes, like Galiuro Mountains #1, We saw lots of wildlife, Turkey, deer, Javelina, etc.

[@zippythinginvention]

I know right where that is. But, I've only looked down at it from the cracked rock above it, along side the road. That's also a hidden gem, as you can easily climb around to the side, away from the road. Or, you can even squeeze through the crack and out onto a seldom-visited shelf.

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Sounds pretty cool. Thanks for the tip. I'll go back and look for it.

[@steviobarth]

Wouldn’t want to do this during monsoon season. 👍❤️🙏🇺🇸☮️

[@johnhenke6475]

I grew up in Arizona. Sometimes I really miss the place.

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

I didn't grow up in Arizona. Arizona has some of the most diverse and unique beauty I have ever seen. Hope you enjoyed the video.

[@kimberly7166]

No you don't! Be glad your not in AZ.

[@giraffebecky]

13:53 - WHAT IN THE WORLD IS THAT THING!? It looks like a mix between an Octopus/Starfish/Lizard/Crab/EXTRA TERRESTRIAL! SO STRANGE! Great video!

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

yea, I had similar thoughts. I don't know what it is. several people commented on different types of Fungi that it could be, but I don't know.

[@clarencedthewrench8790]

It's a reishi mushroom

[@giraffebecky]

@@clarencedthewrench8790 Honestly? Are you SURE?

[@mialopez6016]

@@clarencedthewrench8790 yes! It is👍🏽 The Mushroom of Immortality, prevents cancer, prevents the growth of tumors and lowers cholesterol, just to name a few. Good medicine, I hope no one will disturb it so it can flourish.

[@clarencedthewrench8790]

200% sure

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

yay, pretty crowded. That's why I like this hike. No one is in this canyon.

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

I'v never seen or heard any snakes, but there's not much animal life. Only seen 1 ground squirrel at the end of the slot canyon in the 3 times I've been down there

[@joesmith830]

What an awesome hike! Is there a mile marker after leaving Canyon lake before the turn off for the parking area?

[@stormyward2533]

I was glad that I ran on to your channel. I'm 73, but I can see that we have the same curious "spirit." I've always loved to bushwhack, but it makes my wife mad, if I do it when she's with me. Go figure. It should be fun to look at your other vids, since I'm a fella from Cochise county.

[@zeakrodrig9827]

Nice beautiful.with all the rain now ????

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

probably not passable or safe until after the monsoon season when the canyon has dried out

[@marianfrances4959]

👍😎🇨🇦

[@BrokenCrushedby]

Bet there's gold placers in there

[@randyglauser2845]

Since you missed your pullout and had to backup, can you provide a grid coordinates for your parking spot? I couldn't find it on Google Maps using the satellite mode. Or maybe mileage from Tortilla Flats.

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

I have no idea what the Grid coordinates are. I never use them. But the two buttes at 13:45 and the road/culvert around 13:00 make it much easier to find. You can also look at the beginning of Superstition hike #19. Hope you find it. It's a cool hike.

[@danielw203]

​@@HiddenGemsofNature & @RandyGlauser what are you referring to with the 2 buttes at 13:45 ? I get the reference to the time stamp in the video and the curved area of the road just confused with the "2 buttes" part.

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

@@danielw203 I refer to them as "big monoliths" in the video not buttes, my mistake. You can see the monoliths on your right as you are driving over the culvert. The parking spot is only 1.5 to 2.0 miles from the culvert crossing as you see the monoliths on your right.

[@brisk4u]

Was it very far past Tortilla Flats? We have driven that road many times. I think it is just past, but we will try to find it today. Thanks again!!

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

glad you enjoyed the video. Hope you find it and enjoy the hike

[@h.bsfaithfulservant4136]

That bonus footage at the video’s end looks like part of someone’s alien outfit 😂. Seemingly this site has a spooky back story, so who knows? If the canyon isn’t marked on a map it might imply the powers that be don’t want people down there 😉, and with folk going missing in boulder fields, I’d be reluctant to place my posterior into a dip in a rock in case I get whisked off to somewhere mysterious 😁🤫

[@BrokenCrushedby]

Don't forget about that big horn fire that was a couple years ago it can cause landslides

[@johnmudd6453]

What a.little ray of sunshine you are !.I think your user name says it all

[@BrokenCrushedby]

I got acute leukemia in 2012 a 5%30day chance to survive here I am 11 years later alive. Thankyou I'd like to think off a ray of sunshine gave me the will to survive

[@vladm.2986]

13:21 that rock sounded like if it was made out of metal , the part after he jumps and looks at the rock like wtf....

[@azrefereeii1806]

I think this may be called hose canyon - it is a technical hike .

[@paphatsonkarinchai8353]

😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮

[@MichaelSchmitz-mk8ll]

Sounds like he's a good father....

[@CrowSpirit1977]

Does your son'inlaw have a name?

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

I know! My wife, Noelle, and my daughter, Kennedy, are working on me to get that habit corrected. His name is Kyle. He is a great son-in-law.

[@pkealoha76]

I died by beheading there several lifetimes in the past. I need to go back there sometime to claim my head. I'm not looking forward to it.

[@johnmudd6453]

If you have no head you won't be looking at all.!

[@kennyhollidayjr5206]

Thought I saw Tortilla Flat there!

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

Absolutely, you pass Tortilla Flat on several good hikes

[@tattoofthesun]

Are you looking for the Dutchman's lost gold mine as you go???

[@spiritualhealeradventures555]

I just seen your video, and by the way you passed many sings about the area which I think it contains leaders graveyard and other signs , I wonder if you guys still exploring, also if you guys like to have an honest company spiritual person, because you seemed that kind of people , please contact me , cause I really very excited to explore lots of signs in these mountains , let me know ..thank you

[@paulairola7041]

I can see how someone would get hurt and lost

[@wanaraz]

I am exhausted.

[@truthdefenders-]

With all due respect looking at your gear or lack there-off including your choice of pants, shirt shoes, backpack etc. I fear for your safety. Can you list the gear to take on these hikes including essentials. Thnx.

[@HiddenGemsofNature]

The more you hike and the more you understand your surroundings, the more you will understand what you do and don't need. watch the video on day hiking equipment.