Weaver's Needle, Rock spire in the Superstition Mountains, Arizona, United States
Weaver's Needle is a rock spire in the Superstition Mountains east of Phoenix, Arizona, rising about 1,000 feet (300 m) to a summit of 4,555 feet (1,388 m). It is an erosional remnant of a volcanic plug of tuff, a fused volcanic ash, left standing as the surrounding layer wore away. A large split in its side makes it appear to have two tops when seen from the side.
The formation took its name from mountain explorer Pauline Weaver and became the focal point of numerous expeditions starting in the 1800s as people hunted for the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine. These search efforts shaped the region and turned this location into a legend in local history.
The peak is named after mountain man Pauline Weaver (1797–1867), a gold prospector and explorer. Its shadow was said to point to a rich gold vein of the Lost Dutchman's Gold Mine, drawing hundreds, perhaps thousands, of treasure hunters to the slopes.
The climb is a four-pitch traditional route, each pitch rated 5.3 or lower, with the second pitch closer to a class 4 scramble; protection placements for traditional gear are plentiful. No permit is needed to hike in, climb or camp on the summit. Experienced climbers often free-solo and rappel from fixed anchors at the top, but the route is not advised for beginner or intermediate climbers.
The large split on one side makes the spire look like two separate tops, a shape visible only from the side. The Sawtooth Fire burned the surrounding area in June 2020.
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