Located in Lost Dutchman State Park of the Superstition Wilderness, Flatiron is one of the most challenging and spectacular hikes in Arizona. The Siphon Draw Trail brings you passed towering rock formations, up a basin carved smooth by water, and tops out on one of the most iconic rock formations in the Southwest. Keep an eye out for lost treasure as you scramble up this heart-pounding route, but know that the real gold is the view from the top!
Getting to the Trailhead
Distance: 6.6 miles
Time: 4-5 hours
Difficulty: Strenuous
Elevation gain: 3,147 ft
Dogs: Yes, but need to be lifted/lowered in one section
When to go: Fall, Winter, Spring
Trail hours: 6am to 10pm
Pay the fee ($7 per vehicle), then continue on to the last parking area for the Siphon Draw Trailhead, about 0.7 miles from where you first turned into the park.
There is water at the trailhead, and there are restrooms at one of the other parking areas you pass on the way in.
Hiking Flatiron via Siphon Draw
In the southwest corner of the parking area there is a small but clear sign marking the Siphon Draw Trailhead. Begin hiking south along the trail, undulating from one wash to the next. Just a few hundred feet in you’ll see an intersecting trail on the left, but you should continue straight following the sign for the Siphon Draw Trail. A quarter mile from the trailhead turn left, again following the Siphon Draw Trail sign. Look up the canyon ahead and you can see your objective is now in view!
A little past this left turn, the trail passes near some buildings and crosses straight across a paved access road. Keep hiking uphill on the path, pass through a park boundary fence into Tonto National Forest, and around the 0.8 mile mark you’ll continue past the Prospector’s View Trail. The trail continues making its way to the mouth of the canyon, and about 1.4 miles in the incline increases and it begins to get rocky.
As the trail enters the canyon, it sticks to the left side until you eventually reach The Basin at the 2.0 mile mark.
This is where the trail becomes more challenging, both physically and to navigate. Climb out of this bowl feature on the right side, following a narrow chute. Continue up the slippery gravel covered slope until you find yourself in a notch with a spectacular view of the Flatiron. This is a good place to take a break, before you drop into the Siphon Draw. Descend carefully from the notch and start making your way up the very steep and rocky terrain.
Stay left in the draw when given a choice, and resist the temptation to go up the slope on the right. Soon after dropping in, you’ll come to a wall that you should simply climb up and over – it has plenty of good footing. Take your time, and look for the path of least resistance. If you find yourself struggling to find a clear route, take a moment and reassess.
The crux of this climb is a nearly vertical wall that’s about 10 feet tall, just shy of the final saddle. It’s jagged enough for decent foot and handholds, but still tricky figure out how to maneuver the first time. The best option is to go up the right side, utilizing the lower protruding rocks as steps.
Remember, coming down is always more difficult, so think twice before deciding to pass this point.
Once your over the crux, hike up a little further and look for a trail to the right that will take you out onto the plateau. It’s a relatively flat quarter mile to the edge of the Flatiron. From the vertigo-inducing edge the view of the valley is breathtaking!
Before dropping back into Siphon Draw, consider exploring the hoodoo rock formations back near the saddle. Once you’re satisfied, return carefully down the way you came.
Flatiron via Siphon Draw Trail Map & Elevation Profile
Flatiron Hiking Resources
- Lost Dutchman State Park – official website
- The state park has an entrance fee of $7 per vehicle
Flatiron Peak Weather Forecast
Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Winter Edition
This hike is part of the Arizona Six-Pack of Peaks Challenge – Winter Edition. This self-paced hiking challenge includes six hikes all easily reached from the great Phoenix metropolitan area. They are a great way to explore the area, train for bigger adventures, and you’ll be doing good, with a portion of the net proceeds going to support Big City Mountaineers.
Thank you very much for your hiking blog. Happens to be right where I am. Too strenuous for this old lady but I’m going to forward to other hiking enthusiasts in my family. Great job.