A hiker camping on a peak in the Superstition Mountains east of metro Phoenix was found dead after apparently slipping while taking a selfie and falling hundreds of feet, authorities said Wednesday. The staff at Lost Dutchman State Park are always eager to share information about the hike. Go north on Idaho Road for 2.5 miles and turn right (follow signs for Hwy 88) toward Canyon Lake. For hikers Shirley Guzman and Corrie Ulrich, who were hitting the trail for an evening walk, the tragedy emphasized the importance of safety when out and about. and help keep the future of Westword, Use of this website constitutes acceptance of our. 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You've successfully subscribed to this newsletter! Drive 5 miles to Lost . It also helps protect your hands if you slip, which we all did. Hiking poles would also be useful for maintaining balance with the loose rocks. This beautiful program is designed to start with a famous Arizona sunset draping gracefully over the Superstition Mountains, and end under the light of the full moon. Doug Peoble with PCSO. So its wise to take some from a guy who has hiked it more than 65 times. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "I can tell you that during our investigation, there no signs of foul play. "The last mile is definitely the hardest. This is not a good place to be prideful., Dish Fest and other Things To Do This Week, Hike of the Week: Boulders Loop in the Payson Area Trails System, Hike of the Week: Browns Mountain in the Scottsdale McDowell Sonoran Preserve, Hike of the Week: Ranger Trail, South Mountain Park & Preserve in Phoenix. From Phoenix, drive east on US60 and exit on Idaho Road. His friend was airlifted from the mountain by first responders. The hike takes around four hours to complete and is open year-round, according to the website. It was May. Your email address will not be published. Reverse Flatiron is an adventurous alternative to the traditional hike to the top of Flatiron. No signs of drug use whatsoever. I was surprised to see the young men in tuxedo t-shirts again, and finally, I asked them why they were dressed for an ironic high school prom photo. The summit has incredible 360-degree views. Prepare to climb rocks.". Technically speaking, there are 5 numbered Flatirons. Join the Westword community and help support Sturdy hiking shoes with good traction. Flatiron via Siphon Draw She had heard that flatiron was a good hike and that it would take about 3 hours round trip (and clearly did not Google it). Flatiron hike via Siphon Draw Trail 8,749 views May 4, 2020 199 Dislike Share Save Laura Leanne 3.34K subscribers Flatiron hike in Phoenix, Arizona is a scary and tough hike! He fell an estimated 700 feet and was pronounced dead at the scene. "Mr. Jacobson went to go take a photograph with himself and the city skyline in the background, and he lost his footing, and he slipped, and he fell," Sergeant Doug Peoble with Pinal County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue, told CBS affiliate KPHO-TV. Updated: 5:22 PM MST January 26, 2022 PINAL COUNTY, Ariz. Authorities say a hiker camping on Flatiron peak in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix was found dead after apparently slipping. What makes backpacking Flatiron more difficult is strapping an extra 20-30 pounds to your back and hiking the 3.25 miles and 2780 feet in elevation gain to the top. From the park, theres easy access to the Siphon Draw Trail that leads to the Flatiron through the nearby Superstition Mountains, making it a popular starting point for visitors. Water refill stations are located near the restrooms at the trailhead. No signs of drug use whatsoever. Once you leave the highway, take a right, then turn right again to park on a gravel road, just below a highway maintenance shed. Described as "one of the state's top ten hikes to experience" and one of the "best hikes near Phoenix," Flatiron in Arizona's Superstition Wilderness offers an exceptionally scenic vista, but most hikers will remember it for its challenging and unique ascent: a seemingly endless scramble, including one 12-foot pitch . She brought three water bottles. From the right angle, you can see an uninterrupted span of desert that seems to resemble the earth as it was centuries ago. Andrew Thomas told KPHO-TV he spent three months as a missionary with Jacobson in 2020. A hiker has died after an apparent fall at Lost Dutchman State Park, Pinal County Sheriff's officials say. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Bring plenty of water, a hydration pack is highly recommended. The Flatiron trail in Lost Dutchman State Park is a 5.8-mile hike and . ELEVATION: 2,080-4,592 feet Fugitive in $18 million COVID fraud scheme extradited to U.S. Richard Jacobson, 21, of Mesa, Arizona, fell about 700 feet from the Flatiron Peak in the Superstition Mountain in Lost Dutchman State Park, about 40 miles east of Phoenix, where he and his. It begins to get really steep here, causing many hikers to rethink their decision to hike it. A hiker in Arizona slipped and fell hundreds of feet to his death Monday after trying to take a photo in Lost Dutchman State Park, according to the Pinal County Sheriff's Office. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. You gotta be super focused about being next to the edge, and not just at the rim. The body of Richard Jacobson, 21, was recovered after a hiking companion called 911 at approximately 12:45 a.m. Monday, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said in a statement. Millions of Americans nearing retirement age with no savings, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, Hiker dies after falling at Flatiron Summit near Apache Junction. "I hike with a friend and just pay attention to the surroundings and whats around you. It's possible that Jacobson and his friend took the popular Siphon Draw Trail, which hikers have said is 'not for the faint of heart' online. All rights reserved. On Monday around 12:45 a.m.,the Pinal County Sheriff's Office said in a statement, its search and rescue unit was sentto the Flatiron Trail "after a 911 caller reported his friend had taken a fall from the mountain.". Its spectacular. This hike requires great stamina. or redistributed. This and Superstition Mountain is a climb that is one nasty bee-yatch. The hiker, identified as 21-year-old Richard Jacobson, was camping with a friend in theSuperstition Mountains just east of Phoenix this week. No other details about the incident have been released. For many Valley hikers, climbing Flatiron is an essential adventure. (Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images). The trail's description on the website warns that there have been several rock slides in the area. Flatiron is a taxing and difficult hike, but everyday people do it, well, every day. Bulger advises approaching the trek which begins on the moderate Siphon Draw Trail before morphing into a difficult scramble on slick rock with an understanding of its nature. The Flatiron trail in Lost Dutchman State Park is a 5.8-mile hike and is not a "maintained trail" leading to the peak of the mountains. They're killing us. I was glad I invested in a pair of lightweight nylon pants to protect my legs from thorns and brush. Tips for Hiking Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains. Hiking down steep canyon trails, think about how much opportunity there is to fall off a trail. From the information kiosk, take the Flatiron Rock Trail on the right (An option is to go left on the Ancient Juniper Loop - see the Ancient Juniper Loop Hike - and rejoin the Flatiron Rock Trail later). Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. "I think thats tragic. This is a very popular area for hiking, rock climbing, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Doug Peoble told Fox 10 Phoenix. They're killing us, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. The hike up to the summit is enjoyable and scenic. Log in, Hi I'm Jamie! The hiker, identified as 21-year-old Richard Jacobson, was camping with a friend in the Superstition Mountains just east of Phoenix this week. A hiker trying to take a photo on an Arizona mountaintop slipped and fell to his death, authorities said. The Flatirons pretty good. That should have been a clue. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Arizona mountain range fell hundreds of feet to his death, Perfect selfies are all over Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. This was unkempt wilderness and it did not suffer fools gladly. "Live nearby and have seen many a helicopter evacuation, typically about 1/2 way down around the saddle," one reviewer wrote on Tuesday. Plan on at least six hours for first-timers and bring a minimum of three liters of water along with some salty snacks. One reviewer called it "not for the faint of heart. On occasion, I stopped to I check my laces and picked off all kinds of sharp desert vegetation. You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. A hiker trying to take a photo on an Arizona mountaintop slipped and fell to his death, authorities said. For an easy-to-moderate hike, take the two-mile Flatiron Loop Trail, winding through the forest beneath the Flatirons. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Updated on: January 27, 2022 / 4:49 PM We minded each other as we went, and I quickly realized how serious the danger of falling rocks was. Start the day smarter Notable deaths in 2023 The world's largest war 2023 . 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