We walked under clouds and sunshine on this magnificent ridge north of Tortilla Creek in the Superstition Wilderness. The day was cool and breezy with no dust after the recent rains. Some desert flowers were blooming. Sparkling drops of water adorned the spider webs.

We walked under clouds and sunshine.

Canyon country of the northern Superstitions.

The next mile was a gentle walk in the sky over colorful slickrock terrain, enjoying some of the finest views of the Superstitions.

At the west end of Tortilla Ridge we were cliffed out. The highway was only 1/4 mile away, but a deep chasm separated us from the highway with no place to climb down. Ted looked at the map and concluded there must be a way down on the south side of the ridge. So we contoured around, overlooking a steep canyon lined with trees.

Still cliffed out, we turned east and followed the ridge high above a rocky tributary to Mesquite Creek. There seemed to be a passable route to the streambed, but it began halfway down. We were still on the top. Ted started down just to see if there was a way. When it looked like he could make it, he called Kate and Maaika to follow him. It took several butt slides and derring-dos over loose cobblestones, but we made it to the streambed.

Looking back, it was hard to believe we had climbed down from there.

A half mile of rock-hopping in the streambed brought us to a pair of concrete bridge supports. The bridge itself was long gone. But there was a dirt road on either side. We climbed up to the road on the left side and walked to the highway as Ted told stories about the Lost Dutchman.

Three of the finest hikers took this scenic trek: Kate Hale, Maaika Kromer, and hike leader Ted Tenny.