This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The summit is only about a 15 minute hike/scramble away from the Flatiron. Technically speaking, there are 5 numbered Flatirons. I was glad I invested in a pair of lightweight nylon pants to protect my legs from thorns and brush. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your device and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. Managing and conserving Arizona's natural, cultural and recreational resources for the benefit of the people, both in our parks and through our partners. We were able to get a helicopter to him," said Sgt. They're killing us. This hike climbs above Massacre Falls and up the ridge to the backside of Flatiron using an off-trail route that is steep, loose, and hard to follow. An Arizona Department of Public Safety helicopter helped recover Jacobson's body, the office said. The sheriffs office said the Arizona Department of Public Safety Ranger helicopter assisted with recovering Jacobsons body from the trail. This is why you should pack smart and keep it light. 4:52AM. Hiker, 21, Falls to Death While Taking Photo from Arizona Mountain Peak Human Interest 21-Year-Old Hiker Falls to Death While Taking Photo from Arizona Mountain Peak The body of Richard. ", 'Be honest with yourself':Perfect selfies are all over Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat. Its spectacular. Theres been a couple of accidents where people took a picture and posed like they were going to fall off, and they really fell off, said Torres. This hike requires great stamina. Its a hard way up, and a long way down, and youll need hydration both ways. They said their friends were getting married at the top of the Flatiron and they were joining the wedding party. Theyre focused on what theyre doing., Seven passengers rushed to hospital after 'severe turbulence' on flight, Gabby Petito's family claim cop knew Laundrie was threat in lawsuit update, Jury inspect eerie Murdaugh murder scene where mom & son were executed, US Navy faces being totally outgunned by China in just seven years, says expert, 2020 THE SUN, US, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED | TERMS OF USE | PRIVACY | YOUR AD CHOICES | SITEMAP, Richard Jacobson, 21, fell to his death after attempting to take a photo on the top of a mountain, Jacobson and a friend were camping at the Lost Dutchman State Park when the incident took place, The man's body was found 700 feet from where he originally fell. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. "I can tell you that during our investigation, there were no signs of foul play. Bring plenty of water, a hydration pack is highly recommended. The easy 1.5 mile trail features some rocky, rough terrain but with little elevation gain. People dont tend to fall off the trails at Grand Canyon because theyre pretty focused. So they answered that question before I even asked it. Getting to the top of the landform that juts out 2,500 feet above Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction is challenging it does not give up its bragging rights easily. This is the section of trail to the Flatiron known as Siphon Draw. Richard Jacobson, 21, fell an estimated 400 to 700 feet from the Flatiron Trail summit at Los Dutchman State Park after midnight Monday, a spokesperson from the Pinal County Sheriffs Office told The Post. So its wise to take some from a guy who has hiked it more than 65 times. As I took in the otherworldly beauty, it started to dawn on me this is the halfwaypoint. We minded each other as we went, and I quickly realized how serious the danger of falling rocks was. He's worked at PEOPLE's Los Angeles Bureau as a writer and reporter since 2017 and has interviewed the likes of Kobe Bryant, Arnold Schwarzenegger and Tom Brady. Round 3: New winter storm pummels Arizona with snow and rain, Tree falls over during storm west of Phoenix. Described as "one of the state's top ten hikes to experience" and one of the "best hikes near Phoenix," Flatiron in Arizona's Superstition Wilderness offers an exceptionally scenic vista, but most hikers will remember it for its challenging and unique ascent: a seemingly endless scramble, including one 12-foot pitch . Or up the ante by continuing along the strenuous, three-mile Royal Arch Trail, which ends at a natural rock arch with awe-inspiring views of Boulder and its surroundings. Jacobson had gone to the edge to take a photo when he slipped, according to the spokesperson. This and Superstition Mountain is a climb that is one nasty bee-yatch. October 30, 2017 Log in, Hi I'm Jamie! "You gotta be super focused about being next to the edge, and not just at the rim. Good shoes with nonslip soles help greatly Not enough water on this hike can turn into a life or death situation., Conflicting online reports muddle the risk level and time requirement. The last mile is definitely the hardest. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. The climb is rugged, vertical and difficult to follow. "He was just my companion in that sense," said Thomas. Go north on Idaho Road for 2.5 miles and turn right (follow signs for Hwy 88) toward Canyon Lake. Hiking the Flatiron Located in Apache Junction just 40 miles outside of Phoenix, Lost Dutchman State Park When I asked the cashier at REI what his favorite day-hike in the Phoenix area was, he thought for a minute before answering, "Oh! Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting. Yuma Territorial Prison State Historic Park, Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial State Park. The first part of the trail is exposed, so bring a hat, sunscreen, and SPF chapstick. According to the page, the hike takes about four hours to complete and is open year-round. There is space for quite a few cars, but this trail is popular at the weekend, so you may need a plan B (like Zoa . Many give up. When you visit this site, it may store or retrieve information on your browser, mostly in the form of cookies. Only those with an appetite for adventure and a GPS should attempt it. "He slipped and fell," Police Sgt. Spring wild flowers bloom in the Sonoran desert's Superstition Mountains on March 25, 2017, at the Lost Dutchman State Park in Arizona. Flatiron and Siphon Draw, Superstition Wilderness, January 2022. Jacobson had gone to the edge of the mountain to take a photo when he slipped, authorities said. Millions of Americans nearing retirement age with no savings, Top McCarthy aide, House Oversight chair each met with Ashli Babbitt's mother, Hiker dies after falling at Flatiron Summit near Apache Junction. "He slipped and fell," said Sgt. Because when a weathered-looking young man with a Yosemite Sam beard and arms like gnarled bologna logs calls a hike pretty good, its more like something out of a Jack London novel. ", Siphon Draw Trail to Flatiron Summit in the Superstitions, For the latest local news, download the FOX 10 News app. Bulger advises approaching the trek which begins on the moderate Siphon Draw Trail before morphing into a difficult scramble on slick rock with an understanding of its nature. Quotes displayed in real-time or delayed by at least 15 minutes. Doug Peoble toldFox 10. For an easy-to-moderate hike, take the two-mile Flatiron Loop Trail, winding through the forest beneath the Flatirons. From the information kiosk, take the Flatiron Rock Trail on the right (An option is to go left on the Ancient Juniper Loop - see the Ancient Juniper Loop Hike - and rejoin the Flatiron Rock Trail later). Another hiker reported that his friend, a 21-year-old hiker named Richard Jacobson, had fallen from the mountain. TRAIL STATS. This is not a good place to be prideful., If You Go Reverse Flatiron is an adventurous alternative to the traditional hike to the top of Flatiron. Authorities used a helicopter to airlift Jacobsons distraught friend from the mountain, according to the station. Once upon a time, my mother decided she wanted to take my siblings and I for a hike. A hiker in Arizona was found dead after he fell from a hiking trail along the Apache Junction, officials said. 2023 NYP Holdings, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Bring a light jacket if youre hiking during the winter. . Reference the . "The last mile is definitely the hardest. Getting to the top of the landform that juts out 2,500 feet above Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction is challenging - it does not give up its bragging rights easily. The day I went, there were several people ahead of and behind me, including a few young men in tuxedo t-shirts (well get to that in a minute). No signs of drug use whatsoever. He fell an estimated 700 feet and was pronounced dead at the scene. The body of hiker Richard Jacobson was recovered after he fell from Flatiron Peak in the Superstition Mountains, located to the east of the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Pinal County Sheriff's Office says in a statement to PEOPLE. A hiker camping in an Arizona mountain range fell hundreds of feet to his death while tryingto take a photo, authorities said. FOX 10's Matt Galka reports. Flatiron is about endurance more than anything else, says Patrick Bulger, a Gilbert freight driver who climbs it monthly. Copyright 2023 CBS Interactive Inc. All rights reserved. Taylor Powers, who was taken to safety following a mushroom-fueled strip tease, Austin Stevens survived a fall while on hallucinogenic drugs, Jeremy Caldwell cheerfully admitted that he might have won a Darwin Award, feature article about the Rocky Mountain Rescue Group, Male rescued from the base of the First Flatiron in Chautauqua Park, Rescue on injured hiker on trail between the First and Second Flatiron, 16yo Hiker Rescued From Trail by 2nd Flatiron, Climbers Rescued From Top of 1st Flatiron in Overnight Rescue. He was Erik Kleiber, a 31-year-old from Boulder. The Flatiron peak can be reached through a popular 5.5-mile hike on the Siphon Draw Trail, according to the hiking review website AllTrails. Join the Westword community and help support Careers, The Boulder County Sheriff's Office online press release archive goes back to July 2015 just over two years and during that period, we found a slew of accounts about rescues, with at least six in Eldorado Canyon State Park and others at places such as Boulder Canyon, Boulder Falls, Flagstaff Mountain, Fern Canyon and Paiute Peak. A 21-year-old man fell to his death while attempting to take a picture during a camping trip at Lost Dutchman State Park in Arizona, according to authorities. "Mr. Jacobson went to go take a photograph with himself and the city skyline in the background, and he lost his footing, and he slipped, and he fell," Sergeant Doug Peoble with Pinal County Sheriff's Office Search and Rescue, told CBS affiliate KPHO-TV. azstateparks.com/lost-dutchman. His body was found 700 feet from where he initially fell. The Associated Press contributed to this report. In 2018, amarried couple who fell to their deathsin Yosemite National Park last week while taking a selfie, the man's brother said. Thomas told the station he remembers Jacobson as someone who was kind and had a good sense of humor. The body of Richard Jacobson, 21, was found by another hiker near Flatiron Peak at the Lost Dutchman State Park on Jan. 24, after he slipped while attempting to take a photo near the trail's edge, Fox 10 in Phoenix reported. This is a very popular area for hiking, rock climbing, and snowshoeing, so you'll likely encounter other people while exploring. No signs of drug use whatsoever. Arizona State Parks says the trail is difficult and steep, so it advises that only experienced hikers in good shape climb it. Youll be burning plenty of calories and working up an appetite so be sure to pack protein bars and snacks that you can enjoy at the top. Pinal County deputies say they received a. Get all the stories you need-to-know from the most powerful name in news delivered first thing every morning to your inbox. You could do Camelback Mountain [the highest point in Phoenix] up and down two times and it still does not equal one trip up and down Flatiron in distance and elevation., Even with this knowledge, some hikers need rescuing. Water refill stations are located near the restrooms at the trailhead. APACHE JUNCTION, Ariz. - A hiker has died after falling from the Flatiron peak at Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction, according to the Pinal County Sheriff's Office. Doug Peoble, according to the report. Jason Hahn is a Human Interest and Sports Reporter for PEOPLE. All rights reserved. A photo of Erik Kleiber shared on Facebook after his death. Share Them by March 3. The Flatiron peak can be reached through a popular 5.5-mile hike on the Siphon Draw Trail, according to the hiking review website AllTrails. The investigation into Friday's death is ongoing and the identification of the fallen climber has not been released. The out-and-back trail is 2.6 miles round-trip with a 1,400-ft elevation gain - a pretty moderate hike! Staggering snowfall in California mountains leaves residents trapped for days, SpaceX launches new crew on flight to space station, Prosecution wraps case at Alex Murdaugh murder trial, Explosive found in checked luggage at Pennsylvania airport, feds say, FDA authorizes first at-home test for both COVID and flu, Couple accuses fertility clinic of implanting embryo with cancer genes, Several hospitalized after Lufthansa flight diverted to Dulles due to turbulence, Colon cancer rates rising in younger age group, study finds, Firefighter dies battling blaze in downtown Buffalo, mayor says, Selfie taken on Yosemite's Taft Point may show woman before fatal fall, Flying bug found at Walmart turns out to be rare Jurassic-era insect. His friend was airlifted from the mountain by first responders. According to a study in the Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care, 259 people died taking selfies from 2011-2017. The trailhead is in Lost Dutchman State Park located along AZ Highway 88. "I can tell you that during our investigation, there no signs of foul play. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. "As you can imagine, he was very distraught. "He really was one of those guys that everyone loved, and it's sad to lose him, but we know that it's not the end," said Thomas. The incident occurred around the Flatiron peak area when the hiker, 21-year-old Richard. For many Valley hikers, climbing Flatiron is an essential adventure. The trail's description on the website warns that there have been several rock slides in the area. 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