{"id":10441,"date":"2026-02-16T22:59:59","date_gmt":"2026-02-16T14:59:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/?p=10441"},"modified":"2026-05-12T10:36:10","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T02:36:10","slug":"20260216flatiron","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216flatiron\/","title":{"rendered":"Day 3 of 2026 President&#8217;s Day Trip to Phoenix, Flatiron"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The third day of my 2026 President&#8217;s Day weekend trip to Phoenix. I hiked to Flatiron, a popular and somewhat strenuous mountain outside Phoenix, before flying back in the afternoon.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8610C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8610C.jpg\" alt=\"Flatiron\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flatiron<\/p><\/div>\n<p><script src=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide.min.2.4.21.js\"><\/script>\n<link rel=\"stylesheet\" href=\"\/wp-content\/themes\/splide-skyblue.min.css\">\n<script>\ndocument.addEventListener( 'DOMContentLoaded', function () {\n\tvar secondarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-1', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider1 = new Splide( '#splide-major-1', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider1.sync( secondarySlider1 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider2 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-2', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:80,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:55,height:44,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider2 = new Splide( '#splide-major-2', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider2.sync( secondarySlider2 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider3 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-3', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:76,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:55,height:42,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider3 = new Splide( '#splide-major-3', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider3.sync( secondarySlider3 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider4 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-4', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:133,gap:9,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:42,height:56,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider4 = new Splide( '#splide-major-4', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider4.sync( secondarySlider4 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider5 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-5', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider5 = new Splide( '#splide-major-5', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider5.sync( secondarySlider5 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider6 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-6', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:67,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:57,height:38,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider6 = new Splide( '#splide-major-6', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider6.sync( secondarySlider6 ).mount();\n\tvar secondarySlider7 = new Splide( '#splide-thumb-7', {\n\t\tfixedWidth:100,height:75,gap:10,\n\t\tfocus:'center',keyboard:'focused',\n\t\tcover:true,isNavigation:true,\n\t\tbreakpoints :{'600':{fixedWidth:56,height:42,pagination:false,arrows:false,gap:5,}},\n\t} ).mount();\n\tvar primarySlider7 = new Splide( '#splide-major-7', {\n\t\ttype:'fade',pagination:false,arrows:false,\n\t} );\n\tprimarySlider7.sync( secondarySlider7 ).mount();\n} );\n<\/script><\/p>\n<p><!--more--><\/p>\n<p>Originally, my plan for this three-day long weekend in Phoenix was to hike Battleship Mountain on the first day, and follow it with some form of the Superstition Ridgeline Traverse on the last. The full ridgeline traverse (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.alltrails.com\/explore\/trail\/us\/arizona\/superstition-ridgeline-trail\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">AllTrails link<\/a>) was an 18.5km point-to-point route with 1300m of elevation gain (11.5mi, 4550ft), beginning at Lost Dutchman State Park and ending at Carney Springs Trailhead. Alternatively, I could cut the route off approximately halfway, concluding at Hieroglyphic Trailhead instead. Carney Springs Trailhead was located along an unpaved road, which was logistically challenging. But even with Hieroglyphic Trailhead located in a residential neighborhood, it was not without difficulties as Lost Dutchman State Park closed its vehicle gate at 8pm, imposing a hard deadline to my date. Given that my hike to Battleship Mountain had proven more taxing than anticipated, committing to a longer route with greater elevation gain and a firm cutoff time gave me considerable pause.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, I was booked on an overnight redeye flight back to Boston. However, given the events that had taken place leading up to this trip, I had an incentive to instead fly back this afternoon (even though last night, my upgrade on the redeye flight was confirmed). With a few seats still open on the 4:30pm flight to Boston, I felt pretty good about my chances of making it on standby, but that would also require me to wrap up my activities in the mountains early this afternoon. After some deliberation, I settled on a more sensible plan: an out-and-back to Flatiron, sharing the opening stretch of the Superstition Ridgeline Traverse. At 9.5km with 810m of elevation gain (5.9mi, 2650ft), it fitted both my schedule and my legs rather more comfortably.<\/p>\n<p>Flatiron was a very popular hiking destination in the Phoenix area. It featured a flat-topped field, shaped like an iron, surrounded by steep cliff dropoffs: just like a clothes iron placed upside down. (Though I had to say, this shape was best appreciated on Google Earth, not from along the trail.) Among the hilly and jagged Superstition Mountains, this shape was quite a novelty. <\/p>\n<p>To make sure I could make the afternoon flight on standby, I rose early and reached Lost Dutchman State Park at 8am and started my hike. Here&#8217;s GPS tracking:<\/p>\n<div class=\"mobile-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:6\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/spatialArtifacts.do?event=view&#038;id=263862742&#038;measures=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<div class=\"desktop-hide\" style=\"width:100%;aspect-ratio:3\/5;\"><iframe loading=\"lazy\" frameBorder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" src=\"https:\/\/www.wikiloc.com\/wikiloc\/embedv2.do?id=263862742&#038;measures=on&#038;elevation=on&#038;title=off&#038;near=off&#038;images=off&#038;maptype=H\" width=\"100%\" height=\"100%\"><\/iframe><\/div>\n<p>The state park featured a few day-use parking lots, from which a network of trails fanned out in every direction, crisscrossing each other. While out in the fields, the sight of various rocky hills ahead made for a pleasing companion. In my opinion, for the most straightforward path to Flatiron, one should follow the social path on the boundary between the state park and Tonton National Forest, before joining Siphon Draw Trail, the principal route to Flatiron.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8591.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8591.jpg\" alt=\"Hills against Rising Sun\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills against Rising Sun<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8594.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8594.jpg\" alt=\"Lone Saguaro along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Lone Saguaro along Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8596.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8596.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hill<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8599.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8599.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Mountains\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Goldfield Ghost Town theme park in the center.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8603.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8603.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail against Mountainous Backdrop\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flowers along Trail against Mountainous Backdrop<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8604.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8604.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hill<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8605.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8605.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hill<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8616.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8616.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail to Flatiron<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-1\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8591.jpg\" alt=\"Hills against Rising Sun\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8594.jpg\" alt=\"Lone Saguaro along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8596.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8599.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8603.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail against Mountainous Backdrop\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8604.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8605.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8616.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Flatiron\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-1, #splide-thumb-1 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8591.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8591.jpg\" alt=\"Hills against Rising Sun\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills against Rising Sun<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8594.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8594.jpg\" alt=\"Lone Saguaro along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Lone Saguaro along Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8596.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8596.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hill<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8599.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8599.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">Goldfield Ghost Town theme park in the center.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8603.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8603.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail against Mountainous Backdrop\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flowers along Trail against Mountainous Backdrop<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8604.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8604.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hill<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8605.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8605.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hill<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8616.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8616.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Flatiron\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail to Flatiron<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>As the cliffs closed in on Siphon Draw, the path to Flatiron assumed its signature steep gradient.<\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8620C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8620C.jpg\" alt=\"Flatiron over Siphon Draw Slickrock\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flatiron over Siphon Draw Slickrock<\/br><\/p>\n<div style=\"font-size: smaller;text-align: left\">I drew a rough path to reach Flatiron.<\/br>At the base of this ascent lay Siphon Draw Slickrock, where rock faces were heavily sculpted by water erosion, potentially treacherous when wet. Above this, the trail climbed sharply up an exposed bedrock slope, as far as roughly the first arrow marked in the picture. The path then took a brief break in elevation gain, before embarking on a long, steady climb over scattered boulders amid sparse vegetation (second arrow). From there, a short and level walk (third arrow) led to the overlook atop Flatiron.<\/div>\n<p><\/p><\/div>\n<p>The steep climbing section began with Siphon Draw Slickrock. It was dry during my visit and not slippery at all.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8619C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_8619C.jpg\" width=\"43.55%\" alt=\"People Ascending Siphon Draw Slickrock\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_091207.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-m\/20260216_091207.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Path on Siphon Draw Slickrock\" \/><\/a><\/br>Path on Siphon Draw Slickrock<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_091259.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_091259.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Siphon Draw Slickrock\" \/><\/a><\/br>Siphon Draw Slickrock<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_091301.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_091301.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Path on Siphon Draw Slickrock\" \/><\/a><\/br>Path on Siphon Draw Slickrock<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_091501.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_091501.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Path on Siphon Draw Slickrock\" \/><\/a><\/br>Path on Siphon Draw Slickrock<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_091623.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_091623.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_091957.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-m\/20260216_091957.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_122132.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-m\/20260216_122132.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_122347.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_122347.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-2\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8619C.jpg\" alt=\"People Ascending Siphon Draw Slickrock\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_091259.jpg\" alt=\"Siphon Draw Slickrock\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_091301.jpg\" alt=\"Path on Siphon Draw Slickrock\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_091501.jpg\" alt=\"Path on Siphon Draw Slickrock\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_091623.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_091957.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_122347.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-2, #splide-thumb-2 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8619C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-m\/DSC_8619C.jpg\" width=\"46.15%\" alt=\"People Ascending Siphon Draw Slickrock\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_091207.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-m\/20260216_091207.jpg\" width=\"51.85%\" alt=\"Path on Siphon Draw Slickrock\" \/><\/a><\/br>Path on Siphon Draw Slickrock<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_091259.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_091259.jpg\" alt=\"Siphon Draw Slickrock\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Siphon Draw Slickrock<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_091301.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_091301.jpg\" alt=\"Path on Siphon Draw Slickrock\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Path on Siphon Draw Slickrock<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_091501.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_091501.jpg\" alt=\"Path on Siphon Draw Slickrock\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Path on Siphon Draw Slickrock<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_091623.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_091623.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Path<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_091957.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-m\/20260216_091957.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_122132.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-m\/20260216_122132.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_122347.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_122347.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Path<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>At the top of the initial steep climb lay a small vista (p1-2 below), cradled by rocky slopes on all sides like the central stage of an ancient Greek amphitheater. It was here, for the first time, that the remainder of the path to Flatiron revealed itself in its entirety: a long, steep gully threading its way up the hillside.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_121923.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_121923.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Boulders along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Boulders along Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_121711.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_121711.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Boulders along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Boulders along Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_092525.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-m\/20260216_092525.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Path to Flatiron\" \/><\/a>&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_092649.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-m\/20260216_092649.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path to Flatiron<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_121705.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_121705.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Pointy Rocks along Siphon Draw\" \/><\/a><\/br>Pointy Rocks along Siphon Draw<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_121926.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_121926.jpg\" width=\"87%\" alt=\"Pointy Rocks along Siphon Draw\" \/><\/a><\/br>Pointy Rocks along Siphon Draw<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-3\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_121923.jpg\" alt=\"Boulders along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_121711.jpg\" alt=\"Boulders along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_092525.jpg\" alt=\"Path to Flatiron\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_121705.jpg\" alt=\"Pointy Rocks along Siphon Draw\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_121926.jpg\" alt=\"Pointy Rocks along Siphon Draw\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-3, #splide-thumb-3 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_121923.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_121923.jpg\" alt=\"Boulders along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Boulders along Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_121711.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_121711.jpg\" alt=\"Boulders along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Boulders along Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_092525.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-m\/20260216_092525.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Path to Flatiron\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\">&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_092649.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-m\/20260216_092649.jpg\" width=\"49%\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path to Flatiron<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_121705.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_121705.jpg\" alt=\"Pointy Rocks along Siphon Draw\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Pointy Rocks along Siphon Draw<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_121926.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_121926.jpg\" alt=\"Pointy Rocks along Siphon Draw\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Pointy Rocks along Siphon Draw<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>After that, it was a long and relentless climb over a rocky path to Flatiron. The slideshow below is representative of the typical route conditions. I would say that, with the exception of one move near the very top, the entire route was YDS Class 2. With hiking poles in hand, I rarely needed to use my hands, if at all. Occasionally, parallel paths would branch off along the route, though they tended to converge just slightly ahead, so navigation presented little challenge. <span style=\"font-size: small;\">Just as on my previous two days at Battleship Mountain and Picketpost Mountain, I brought my helmet and action camera mount hoping to capture some exciting scrambling footage. They ended up going for the ride, as Flatiron had little excitement to offer in that regard.<\/span><\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_093211.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_093211.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_120509.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_120509.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_094706.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_094706.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_115147.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_115147.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_113211.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_113211.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_101537.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_101537.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_101906.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_101906.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_102017.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_102017.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_112049.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_112049.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><\/br>Steep Path<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-4\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_093211.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_120509.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_094706.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_115147.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_113211.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_101537.jpg\" alt=\"-\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_101906.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_102017.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_112049.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-4, #splide-thumb-4 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_093211.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_093211.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Path<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_120509.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_120509.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Path<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_094706.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_094706.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Path<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_115147.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_115147.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Path<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_113211.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_113211.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Path<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_101537.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_101537.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Path<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_101906.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_101906.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Path<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_102017.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_102017.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Path<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_112049.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_112049.jpg\" alt=\"Steep Path\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Steep Path<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>Once atop Flatiron, the most commanding views were undoubtedly those of the Phoenix metropolis, its city grids stretching in neat, orderly lines toward the horizon. Lost Dutchman Boulevard, in particular, appeared as a perfectly straight line drawn from the foot of Flatiron all the way to downtown Phoenix, lending the vista a pleasing sense of symmetry.<\/p>\n<p>Though I had abandoned my attempt at completing the Superstition Ridgeline Traverse, Flatiron still rewarded me with views of two prominent peaks along that route, &#8220;Superstition Mountains&#8221; and &#8220;Superstition Peak&#8221; (p4 below) <span style=\"font-size: small;\">(speaking of how uncreative those names were)<\/span>.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8627.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8627.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Metropolis\" \/><\/a><\/br>Phoenix Metropolis<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_105842C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_105842C.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Metropolis\" \/><\/a><\/br>Phoenix Metropolis<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8669.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8669.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains beyond Siphon Draw\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains beyond Siphon Draw<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8655C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8655C.jpg\" alt=\"Superstition Peak from Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>Superstition Peak from Flatiron<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8674.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8674.jpg\" alt=\"Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flatiron<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-5\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8627.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Metropolis\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_105842C.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Metropolis\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8669.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains beyond Siphon Draw\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8655C.jpg\" alt=\"Superstition Peak from Flatiron\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8674.jpg\" alt=\"Flatiron\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-5, #splide-thumb-5 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8627.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8627.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Metropolis\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Phoenix Metropolis<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_105842C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_105842C.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Metropolis\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Phoenix Metropolis<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8669.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8669.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains beyond Siphon Draw\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains beyond Siphon Draw<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8655C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8655C.jpg\" alt=\"Superstition Peak from Flatiron\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Superstition Peak from Flatiron<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8674.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8674.jpg\" alt=\"Flatiron\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flatiron<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>While the mountains that I had climbed over the previous two days both offered 360-degree views, I would say Flatiron offered a 180-degree view, mostly to the west. But with Phoenix metropolis sprawling just a short distance away, the views here carried a far greater sense of variety.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8628.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8628.jpg\" width=\"92.5%\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">To the north of Apache Junction.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8651.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8651.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/a><\/br>Mountains to the North<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8633.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8633.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hill<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8634.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8634.jpg\" alt=\"Ironview Peak\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ironview Peak<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8630.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8630.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Estrella Mountains across Phoenix Metropolis\" \/><\/a><\/br>Distant Estrella Mountains across Phoenix Metropolis<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8631C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8631C.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Metropolis\" \/><\/a><\/br>Phoenix Metropolis<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8632.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8632.jpg\" alt=\"Fields to the Southwest\" \/><\/a><\/br>Fields to the Southwest<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8657.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8657.jpg\" alt=\"Monument Canyon\" \/><\/a><\/br>Monument Canyon<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-6\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8628.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8651.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8633.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8634.jpg\" alt=\"Ironview Peak\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8630.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Estrella Mountains across Phoenix Metropolis\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8631C.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Metropolis\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8632.jpg\" alt=\"Fields to the Southwest\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/DSC_8657.jpg\" alt=\"Monument Canyon\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-6, #splide-thumb-6 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8628.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8628.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the West\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the West<\/br><span style=\"font-size: small;\">To the north of Apache Junction.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8651.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8651.jpg\" alt=\"Mountains to the North\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Mountains to the North<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8633.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8633.jpg\" alt=\"Hill\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hill<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8634.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8634.jpg\" alt=\"Ironview Peak\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Ironview Peak<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8630.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8630.jpg\" alt=\"Distant Estrella Mountains across Phoenix Metropolis\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Distant Estrella Mountains across Phoenix Metropolis<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8631C.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8631C.jpg\" alt=\"Phoenix Metropolis\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Phoenix Metropolis<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8632.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8632.jpg\" alt=\"Fields to the Southwest\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Fields to the Southwest<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8657.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8657.jpg\" alt=\"Monument Canyon\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Monument Canyon<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/DSC_8637_DSC_8648-12.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/DSC_8637_DSC_8648-12.jpg\" alt=\"View from Flatiron\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>View from Flatiron<\/p><\/div>\n<p>And here&#8217;s a video I took on top of Flatiron:<br \/>\n<video controls width=\"100%\" poster=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/Flatiron_Thumb.jpg\" preload=\"none\"><source src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/Flatiron_2160p60_H265_20Mbps.mp4\"><\/video><br \/>\n<span style=\"font-size: x-small;\">9 seconds, 2160p60fps, H265 only, 20Mbps\/25MB file size.<\/span><\/p>\n<p>It was a somewhat windy day, and the gusts atop Flatiron carried a distinct chill. I spent about 40 minutes on top before starting my descent.<\/p>\n<p>Throughout the day, clouds had been steadily gathering, and by the time I found myself back in the open fields at Flatiron&#8217;s feet, the mountains no longer loomed harsh against the glare of the sun, softened instead beneath a thickening, overcast sky.<\/p>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-major-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_130844.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_130844.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Flatiron\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail to Flatiron<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_131734.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_131734.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><\/br>Hills<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_130714.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_130714.jpg\" alt=\"Trail against Mountainous Backdrop\" \/><\/a><\/br>Trail against Mountainous Backdrop<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_130950.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_130950.jpg\" alt=\"Ditch between Flowers\" \/><\/a><\/br>Ditch between Flowers<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_084409.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_084409.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flowers along Trail<\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_132015.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_132015.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/a><\/br>Flowers along Trail<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"splide\" id=\"splide-thumb-7\">\n<div class=\"splide__track\">\n<ul class=\"splide__list\">\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_130844.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Flatiron\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_131734.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_130714.jpg\" alt=\"Trail against Mountainous Backdrop\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_130950.jpg\" alt=\"Ditch between Flowers\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_084409.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<li class=\"splide__slide\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails-s\/20260216_132015.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><noscript><br \/>\nJavascript not enabled, unable to display slideshow.<\/p>\n<style type=\"text\/css\">\n#splide-major-7, #splide-thumb-7 { display:none; }\n<\/style>\n<details>\n<summary>Click here to display photos of the slideshow<\/summary>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_130844.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_130844.jpg\" alt=\"Trail to Flatiron\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail to Flatiron<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_131734.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_131734.jpg\" alt=\"Hills\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Hills<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_130714.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_130714.jpg\" alt=\"Trail against Mountainous Backdrop\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Trail against Mountainous Backdrop<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_130950.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_130950.jpg\" alt=\"Ditch between Flowers\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Ditch between Flowers<\/p><\/div>\n<div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_084409.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_084409.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flowers along Trail<\/p><\/div>\n<p><div style=\"width: 615px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><a href=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/20260216_132015.jpg\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/huangyizhou.nyc3.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com\/2026\/02\/16\/thumbnails\/20260216_132015.jpg\" alt=\"Flowers along Trail\" \/><\/a><p class=\"wp-caption-text\"><\/br>Flowers along Trail<\/p><\/div><br \/>\n<\/details>\n<p><\/noscript><\/p>\n<p>It was 1:30pm by the time I returned to my car, about 3 hours before the scheduled departure of AA1385, the flight I was hoping to standby on. I set off promptly toward Phoenix. With a lunch stop along the way, I pulled into the airport rental car center at 3:07pm. After hurrying through the facility, I boarded the tram and arrived at the terminal at 3:25pm. This was T minus 1 hour. Fortunately, with a handful of seats still available, the check-in desk was able to confirm my place on AA1385 <span style=\"font-size: small;\">(though by that point, only middle seats remained)<\/span>.<\/p>\n<p>It turned out, flight AA1385 that day was the retirement flight of its captain, which ended both the flight, and this Phoenix trip on a merry note.<br \/>\nEND<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The third day of my 2026 President&#8217;s Day weekend trip to Phoenix. I hiked to Flatiron, a popular and somewhat strenuous mountain outside Phoenix, before flying back in the afternoon.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[685,427,2],"tags":[686],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10441"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10441"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10441\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":10535,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10441\/revisions\/10535"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10441"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10441"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.huangyizhou.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10441"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}