Superstition Ridgeline: Flatiron to peak 5057, & back

This was a fun hike that I had done before in 2022, but was in much better shape when I did it. Had planned to add audio to cover some of my rambling, but video was too long and wouldn't let me. Since 2 weeks prior I had done Flatiron up and down, I didn't record that on this hike, but started once I got to the saddle at Flatiron. Then it goes all the way to peak 5057 on the other side of the ridgeline, then back to the Flatiron saddle by about 14 minutes after sunset. Because I haven't been working and been online applying to places, I wasn't really prepped as much to do this one because I haven't been moving around so much. By the time I reached the peak, an old Tough Mudder injury from 2013 started to come back and affect one knee, but the lack of moving helped make the other knee hurt too. Once I reach the peak, I rested for about 15 minutes, then headed back across the ridgeline to try to get out of the park before the parking lot closed, which I did manage to do. There was a trail I took that I had to backtrack so it cost me about 20 minutes, but it didn't hinder me too much, but the pain in my knees did tend to slow me down going downhill more than up. The trail is mostly obvious in a lot of the trail, but a few spots I had to look around for it, and reference AllTrails to which trail was the correct one.
It took me about 3.5 hours to get across this time, but when I was in better shape it probably took me about 3, but I stop here and there to enjoy the views too. About 1.5 miles from the peak I realized I had forgotten my lunch, so lack of nutrients didn't help much either, but at least I had my snacks.
Definitely a gorgeous hike with views of Miners needle at times, Weavers needle for a good portion, Battleship, Picket post, and eventually some of Flatiron and Canyon Lake. Some people go up Siphon draw to come out at Carney Springs, but this was a last minute change from doing Herman's cave, so I didn't have time to ask anyone if they wanted to join, and I wanted to do across and back. It took a total of 14 hours and 24 minutes from parking lot and back to the lot, and was 16.6 miles total.
I do lots of hikes on my own, which isn't always a good idea when you're not in great shape, so I would suggest having a partner with if doing this hike and to watch your footing in some spots, but I saw a few other solo hikers.
Coming down from the peak I'd thrown my poles down at the 3:43:23 mark and one went too far to the right that it was a stretch to get it.
But another great hike with gorgeous views and one of my all time favorite hikes in the Superstition mountains.

[@otrd85]

Nice video! I did this hike and it was intense. I am from Texas and it was my first time hiking the Superstition Mountains. The views were breathtaking and took plenty of nice pictures. I got lost on the way down and panicked for a brief moment. I had to return back up to try to find the way down. My mistake was never looking back as I was climbing up, so I never had a mental picture of what the way down looked like. Fortunately, I saw a couple going down at a distance and I followed them to find my way back.

[@naturallytrailheaded]

That is a Monster of a hike...well done! I love that area up there, was just on 5024 a little while ago. Thinking its about time to head up to 5057 again, and maybe I'll do some extra exploring on the ridgeline after seeing this. Thanks for posting!

[@InkedDragonAdventuring]

It's my favorite hike in the Superstions, but I definitely wasn't in shape enough to do it. Sat around for too many weeks prior to doing it so had some issues with my knees on the way out. But still can't wait to do it again, maybe come springtime. Gotta get in R2R2R in there somewhere too. Only went to ribbon falls and back last time, but that's what I went there to do earlier this year.

[@naturallytrailheaded]

@InkedDragonAdventuring Grand Canyon is on my list as well, probably just an R to R though!

[@InkedDragonAdventuring]

@@naturallytrailheaded when you're going up North Kaibab Trail or coming down it, ribbon falls is on the west side. It's not a far hike, you just have to pass over I believe that's Bright Angel Creek to get to lower ribbon falls. You can climb up around behind it, and I have heard rumors there is another path around there that goes about another mile and a half in to another waterfall. But ribbon falls is I believe less than a mile in from north Kaibab, I have a video of that on my channel

[@naturallytrailheaded]

@@InkedDragonAdventuringCool, thanks for the tip! Climbing around behind a waterfall sounds ideal. I'll have to check out the video and start making some plans!