We parted ways in the morning, as they were headed out and into the stars. ASU, The New American University, turning the Wilderness into a classroom. I really liked the group as they each brought their own stash of food, and I could walk around camp make friends, sniff their gear and earn some just looking cute. The course culminates with a week-long backpacking adventure in the Superstitions to explore the intersection of physics, wilderness exploration and alien worlds.

A quandary… Turns out they were part of a Wilderness Astronomy class, dreamed-up by Parke and Melodie, their instructors, postdoctoral astrophysics researchers. About eleven footsteps and voices with lots of food! Where did they come from? ASU, of course. We (well I took a much needed nap) got the camp set-up and then went down to the creek. A beautiful restful stop, close to the creek, cover with, you guessed it, oak trees. Whew, was I glad when we knew we weren’t lost. Well, we got on it and other than a few diversions, never got off until the big turn to home on the Terrapin. Yikes, I hope we don’t get lost like that Dutchman dude! Miles Away In search of gold, there is still a treasure, he went into the wilderness and was never to be seen again. Now, speaking of people who disappeared, there was the lost Dutchman. White farmers in the late 1800’s decided naming the area the Superstition Mountains was a good one. The indigenous Pima tribe told stories of strange sounds, people who disappeared, mysterious deaths and an overall fear of the area. Go figure.īut first, back to the Superstition lore. You see the Dutchman is still out in the wilderness somewhere. Not only a wilderness area, but one filled with lore and, you guessed it, superstitions. Ten dirt road miles to Peralta Trailhead and we were ready to go. We turned off the US60 onto Peralta Road. Dad says he’ll fight and die to keep it untrammeled. not easy with today’s partisan politics and corporate greed. It is a vote to permanently protect the most natural and undisturbed places in America. Congress passed the law by almost a unanimous vote. The Act was made law in 1964, formally acknowledging the importance of wild places to the human spirit and fabric of our nation. is hereby recognized as an area where the earth and its community of life are untrammeled by man. He wrote the first draft of the Wilderness Act in 1956 and chose the word “untrammeled” to describe a wilderness. The area was first recognized as a primitive area in 1939, it was named a Pre-Wilderness Act “wilderness” in 1940, and became an official Wilderness area in 1964. In the summer, the area it is pretty inhospitable with soaring temperatures, but in the spring water is running and the creeks crisscross the trails like ribbons. Weaver’s Needle is a dramatic volcanic plug which rises to 4,553 feet. Rolling desert surrounded by steep, rugged and nearly vertical terrain. With 180 miles of trails across 160,236 acres of wide open S P A C E. The Superstition Wilderness is just on the outskirts of the Phoenix Metro area. What? The “Sups” are on the edge of town? Hot diggity dog! Superstition Wilderness Humm, I’m not sure what Dad means when he calls you a Hot Mama? I wonder how long we have to be in the car. I don’t mean you look like a mule, Mom, far from it, but wow you are a strong steady Mama. Yo mama! She is a pack mule extraordinaire.

Backpacks in the car and Mom is going to carry my food. Packed-up and ready to go to the Superstition Wilderness.

Into the wilderness