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. The Flatiron trail in Lost Dutchman State Park is a 5.8-mile hike and . Jacobson reportedly fell while trying to take a picture. 2022 CBS Interactive Inc. All Rights Reserved. Because when a weathered-looking young man with a Yosemite Sam beard and arms like gnarled bologna logs calls a hike pretty good, its more like something out of a Jack London novel. A helicopter from the Arizona Department of Public Safety helped in the recovery effort. Denver's independent source of "Live nearby and have seen many a helicopter evacuation, typically about 1/2 way down around the saddle," one reviewer wrote on Tuesday. Hiker dies after falling at Flatiron Summit near Apache Junction by azfamily powered by 3TV & CBS5AZ on YouTube An Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter helped recover Jacobson's body,. They're killing us, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. Can kids hike Flatiron? Hiking the Flatiron Located in Apache Junction just 40 miles outside of Phoenix, Lost Dutchman State Park When I asked the cashier at REI what his favorite day-hike in the Phoenix area was, he thought for a minute before answering, "Oh! Very sad, very unfortunate," said Guzman. The Superstitions are a sculptural mountain range formed by intense volcanic activity that pushed the rock straight up from the earth. These towering rocks protrude from the ground at about a 55-degree angle and soar into the air forming the perfect backdrop for the city of Boulder and a great place to explore. Peoble. I made it to the top of the Flatiron just in time for I do, and watching everyone cheer and kiss and congratulate while overlooking the broad Sonoran Desert, I was glad that I did. (Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images). Bulgers advice? In 4.2 miles, continue straight onto W Lost Dutchman Blvd, then after another 3.4 miles, turn left onto AZ-88 N Apache Trail. The top of the Flatiron is an uneven plateau with a sprawling view of Arizonas lower desert. When I asked the cashier at REI what his favorite day-hike in the Phoenix area was, he thought for a minute before answering, Oh! "Always bring water, make sure to tell people where Im at, when Ive left, a time frame to be back," said Ulrich. The next day, the Second Flatiron made headlines again when a scrambler got stuck in unsafe terrain, prompting a 2.5-hour rescue. Climbing gloves would be helpful during the last mile as you are climbing up and over rocks and boulders. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. Richard Jacobson, 21, fell an estimated 400 to 700 feet from the Flatiron Trail summit at Los Dutchman State Park after midnight Monday, a spokesperson from the Pinal County Sheriffs Office told The Post. The Flatiron trail in Lost Dutchman State Park is a 5.8-mile hike and is not a "maintained trail" leading to . From the Phoenix area, get on AZ-202 heading East and take Exit 26 for Brown Road. "I can tell you that during our investigation, there [were] no signs of foul play. From the point of the sign on this map, it's about 2.5 very steep and challenging miles up Siphon Draw Trail to The Flatiron. We were able to get a helicopter to him," Sgt. One reviewer said the hike is not for the faint of heart., Hardest hike Ive done in the valley so far, but so worth it when you get to the top, wrote another review on January 23. Jason Hahn is a Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. Jacobsons traveling companion called police a little after midnight on Monday, said the Pinal County Sheriffs Office in a statement. TRAIL STATS. As a result, there are a lot of steep trails, some requiring short vertical climbs to make it up the high slopes. Prepare to climb rocks.". Its a hard way up, and a long way down, and youll need hydration both ways. You could do Camelback Mountain [the highest point in Phoenix] up and down two times and it still does not equal one trip up and down Flatiron in distance and elevation., Even with this knowledge, some hikers need rescuing. Located in Apache Junction just 40 miles outside of Phoenix, Lost Dutchman State Park. Bring plenty of water and wear sturdy shoes. 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. For many Valley hikers, climbing Flatiron is an essential adventure. According to the page, the hike takes about four hours to complete and is open year-round. The Flatirons pretty good. That should have been a clue. Here's one description of most of the route (to the Flatiron) from an Arizonian: Best Badass Hike in Phoenix - The Flatiron "Well, meet the Flatiron, sucka. "I hike with a friend and just pay attention to the surroundings and whats around you. Flatiron via Siphon Draw Trail is a very challenging day hike in the Superstition Mountains. And its a great place to sit down, rest, get some selfies, and rehydrate without other climbers pressuring you for space. "I can tell you that during our investigation, there were no signs of foul play. Jacobson's body was found nearly 700 feet below where the hikers were camping on top of Flatiron near Lost Dutchman State Park, the office said. For many Valley hikers, climbing Flatiron is an essential adventure. We've received your submission. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. Plan on at least six hours for first-timers and bring a minimum of three liters of water along with some salty snacks. On the trail, you reach whats commonly called the Basin, a natural depression where millennia of wind and erosion has worn the red volcanic tuff into a Martian landscape. Jacobsons body was recovered some 700 feet below the camping spot. No other details about the incident have been released. The Arizona Department of Public Safety sent a helicopter to help in the recovery effort, however, no other details about the incident have been released. You wont need it much during the hike since youll be working up a sweat, but once you reach the summit and the breeze hits your damp skin it can get chilly. 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. Jefferson County Finds Itself Up a Tree Over Controversial Forest-Thinning Practices, Celebrate the 303: From Crocs to Cannabis, Colorado Has Your Number, A glossary of kink terms you didn't want to know but now will, No Liberal Tears: We Build the Wall's Colorado Conspirator Sentencing PostponedAgain, Dominion Has the Cure for Foxitis: $1.6 Billion Defamation Lawsuit, Have Thoughts About the Denver Moves Everyone Plan? 1st & 2nd Flatirons Hike Overview. You never know what youll see until you make the trip. "He slipped and fell," said Pinal County Sheriff's Office Sgt. The first part of the trail is exposed, so bring a hat, sunscreen, and SPF chapstick. Jacobson had gone to the edge of the mountain to take a photo when he slipped, authorities said. The body of Richard Jacobson, 21, was found by another hiker near Flatiron Peak. First and Second Flatirons Loop. So its wise to take some from a guy who has hiked it more than 65 times. After a string of hiking deaths at the Grand Canyon in 2019, Brandon Torres, the branch chief of Emergency Services at the park, told PEOPLE that he recommends hikers remain focused while on trails. This is the section of trail to the Flatiron known as Siphon Draw. All rights reserved. At the end of the exit ramp keep left at the fork, enter the traffic circle, and take the exit for Brown Rd East. Bring a light jacket if youre hiking during the winter. This is a very popular area for hiking, rock climbing, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. Getting to the top of the landform that juts out 2,500 feet above Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction is challenging - it does not give up its bragging rights easily. 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 has a B.A. Join the Westword community and help support However, due to the nature of the trail, I would not recommend hiking with children under the age of 10. RATING: very difficult A photo of Erik Kleiber shared on Facebook after his death. "There's been a couple of accidents where people took a picture and posed like they were going to fall off, and they really fell off," he said. Details: 480-982-4485 . Conflicting online reports muddle the risk level and time requirement. "The last mile is definitely the hardest. No signs of drug use whatsoever. Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. As I took in the otherworldly beauty, it started to dawn on me this is the halfwaypoint. The Boulder Flatirons are a distinct rock structure that marks the start of the Mountains. (Andrew Lichtenstein/Corbis via Getty Images), Fox News Flash top headlines for January 26. It also helps protect your hands if you slip, which we all did. Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park. 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. This hike requires great stamina. Jacobson had gone to the edge to take a photo when he slipped, according to the spokesperson. ", Siphon Draw Trail to Flatiron Summit in the Superstitions, For the latest local news, download the FOX 10 News app. in English from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's degree in Journalism from Columbia University. LENGTH: 6 miles round trip You can find out more and change our default settings with Cookies Settings. Visit a participating park or purchase your pass online, andcreateyour own stories! He did stuff like that, so I guess he did die doing what he loved to do, just in a tragic way.". FOX 10's Matt Galka reports. The Flatiron Peak is one of several fantastic hikes at the Coquihalla Summit Recreation Area, near Hope. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. He fell an estimated 700 feet and was pronounced dead at the scene. 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. Hiker, 21, Falls to Death While Taking Photo from Arizona Mountain Peak Human Interest 21-Year-Old Hiker Falls to Death While Taking Photo from Arizona Mountain Peak The body of Richard. It begins to get really steep here, causing many hikers to rethink their decision to hike it. The staff at Lost Dutchman State Park are always eager to share information about the hike. Hiker dies after falling from Flatiron trail while taking a photo 10,707 views Jan 26, 2022 96 Dislike Share Save 12 News 159K subscribers The Pinal County Sheriff's Office said they were. We were around 15, 14, and 12 and were decent hikers but not serious at all. We took our 11-year-old son and he loved the challenge of climbing the rocks at the end. The incident occurred around the Flatiron peak area when the hiker, 21-year-old Richard. Follow. Sturdy hiking shoes with good traction. By clicking Sign Up, I confirmthat I have read and agreeto the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. 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). All rights reserved. Flatiron is a taxing and difficult hike, but everyday people do it, well, every day. On occasion, I stopped to I check my laces and picked off all kinds of sharp desert vegetation. Yet, it's unknown if Jacobson took this route. Only those with an appetite for adventure and a GPS should attempt it. Check out what's clicking on Foxnews.com. 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. It was just a very tragic accident. With 940m elevation gained over 11.7km, this hike has an average gradient of over 16%. 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. 1110 W. Washington Street, Suite 100 The Associated Press contributed to this report. "I spent all my waking hours with Richard, so I got to know him pretty wellhe was an outdoorsman, hunter, hiker. - A hiker has died after falling from the Flatiron peak at Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction, according to the Pinal County Sheriff's Office. Pinal County deputies say they received a. 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. Technically speaking, there are 5 numbered Flatirons. I can tell you that during our investigation, there [were] no signs of foul play. Market data provided by Factset. "As you can imagine, he was very distraught. The tallest point in the Valley, there's an elevation gain of over 3000'. It was just a very tragic accident.". Tips for Hiking Flatiron in the Superstition Mountains. It was just a very tragic accident.". ", 'Be honest with yourself':Perfect selfies are all over Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. Please use precaution and follow signs. You gotta be super focused about being next to the edge, and not just at the rim. Hed been camping with a friend on top of Flat Iron, the sheriffs office said. The investigation into Friday's death is ongoing and the identification of the fallen climber has not been released. "As you can imagine, he was very distraught. Doug Peoble toldFox 10. No signs of drug use whatsoever. 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. The trails description on the website warns that there have been several rock slides in the area. The day I went, there were several people ahead of and behind me, including a few young men in tuxedo t-shirts (well get to that in a minute). One reviewer called it "not for the faint of heart. This is why you should pack smart and keep it light. This hike climbs above Massacre Falls and up the ridge to the backside of Flatiron using an off-trail route that is steep, loose, and hard to follow. Mutual Fund and ETF data provided by Refinitiv Lipper. 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. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. 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 . He's worked at PEOPLE's Los Angeles Bureau as a writer and reporter since 2017 and has interviewed the likes of Kobe Bryant, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Brady. "I think thats tragic. . Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Doug Peoble with PCSO. A lot of hikers choose to head back rather than try to scramble up the worn-smooth surface of the Basin to the next part of the trail. The Flatiron peak can be reached through a popular 5.5-mile hike on the Siphon Draw Trail, according to the hiking review website AllTrails. He previously worked for Complex Magazine in New York City. In recent years there have been several rock slides, and the upper part of the trail has been altered extensively. Theres been a couple of accidents where people took a picture and posed like they were going to fall off, and they really fell off, said Torres. Flatiron via Siphon Draw The hike up to the summit is enjoyable and scenic. October 30, 2017 Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. The investigation into Friday & # x27 ; s death is ongoing and the part... Signs of foul play the upper part of the Flatiron peak is one of several fantastic hikes at rim... There were no signs of foul play Cookies flatiron hike deaths Friday & # ;! News delivered first thing every morning to your inbox the rim Friday & # ;. 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