August 29, 2011 © Thomas J. Kollenborn. All Rights Reserved.
Dr. Sheridan’s book was followed by Dick and Sharon Nelson’s book titled Hiker’s Guide to the Superstition Mountains, published by the Telecote Press, Glenwood, NM, in 1979. Nelson’s book was a very popular guide book for many years. This fine book gave information about the trails and some of the interesting points along the trails. The book also presented a little of the history of the area, but primarily described the forest service trail system.
The Nelson’s book was followed by another book titled Hiker’s Guide to the Superstition Wilderness Area by Jack Carlson and Elizabeth Stewart first published in 1995. The cover of this book includes a photograph of Elisha Marcus Reavis, known as the “Hermit of Superstition Mountain.” This three hundred and seventeen
page book provides excellent information on the history, trails, and terrain of the Superstition Wilderness Area. Reading this book would prepare the average outdoor person for the rigors of hiking the wilderness area. Carlson and Stewart provide preparatory material in their book on survival and other cautions one should take before embarking upon a wilderness experience.
This book can be excellent information for the hikers who experience the area for the first time. I would suggest anyone using this book adhere to the information closely because Jack Carlson and Elizabeth Stewart are very knowledgeable about the Superstition Wilderness Area. Their experiences dates back more than thirty years and they certainly know what they are talking about. Any person using the Superstition Wilderness Area system trails should have copies of both their books, Hikers Guide to the Superstition Wilderness, 1995 and Superstition Trails East, 2010. These books include the entire Superstition Wilderness Area’s system trails and many non-system trails. The books also include interesting historical highlights of the area including mining and ranching history. Their books include numerous historical photographs of the region, detailed maps and map information.
Area search and rescue groups are constantly dealing with lost hikers and overdue hikers in the Superstition Wilderness Area. Presently there are four men missing in the Superstition Wilderness Area. One Colorado man has been missing since December 20, 2009, and three Utah men have been missing since July 6, 2010. All of them allegedly, according to family, planned their trips carefully for their trips into the Superstition Wilderness Area. The Colorado man, Jesse Capen, went into the mountains alone and basically just disappeared after setting up his camp above Kane Springs near the Peter’s Canyon Trail. The three Utah men parked their car at First Water and hiked into the mountains and vanished. I suppose the word “vanished” is a little strong, however that is exactly what they did. Not one single clue had been found that can be associated with these men.
I sincerely believed if they had use maps and guide maps properly and prepared themselves for the rigors of this mountain wilderness they would have been found a long time ago. Some people just wonder aimlessly about this vast wilderness with no maps or guidebooks. I sincerely believe maps and guidebooks are an important deterrent in preventing someone from becoming lost or disoriented.
Of course you can never overlook the importance of water. During the summer months when temperatures exceed 108 degrees a gallon a day is the very minimal amount you need to survive.
Jack Carlson and Elizabeth Stewart’s books are the best guidebooks available on the area. I would highly recommend them to anyone using the wilderness or interested in the history of the wilderness.
