Why does nobody talk about how brutal the Superstition Ridgeline is in June?

I always heard people rave about it as a epic Arizona hike but after doing 8 miles with 3 liters of water last summer I think anyone calling it legit must be skipping the exposed granite sections or going in February, has anyone else nearly tapped out on that traverse?

2 comments

2 Comments

adams.troy5d ago

My buddy Casey brought 4 liters and still ended up sprawled out under a juniper tree for 45 minutes near the saddle, totally cooked. He said the sun felt like someone was holding a hair dryer six inches from his face the whole time. That granite just bakes everything and there's zero mercy after 10 AM.

ruby4944d ago

Wow, that hair dryer description is spot on for high desert hiking. I read somewhere that the granite actually reflects UV rays back at you from the ground, so you basically get cooked from above and below at the same time. Makes me think 4 liters might not be enough for some folks if they're not used to that kind of heat.