somehiker,
It seems a case of
do as I say, not as I do. On the Julia Thomas map(s) the trail begins at the southwestern end of the range, winding its way to and around Weavers, then north again towards the Salt. Not unlike the directions given to the Howlands by Ely & Bark.
"Sims Ely and James Bark gave them a map with the following instructions: "Trail leads up the first long draw leading into the Superstition Mountains, east from the west end on the south side. Then on across the mesa and down past a picacho (peak) on the left hand side and into a big canyon that leads to the Salt River, then up the right hand canyon and out onto a flat to a big pit. Note: Do not mistake the Canyon for the trail.”
Apache Junction and the Superstition Mountains
Jane Eppinga
Here is the path that Julia and the boys took:
“We walked around the northwest end of Superstition Mountain and packed all our supplies to the area of Weaver’s Needle.”
Herman Petrash to William Cage
Julia Thomas Schaffer By Tom Kollenborn
The Thomas map seems more like the alleged Mexican/Spanish maps of the Superstitions that would have been used by someone approaching from the south. Also, the end of it's trail is simply to vague to lead to anything specific. Perhaps that was her goal. A long, difficult journey thru rugged country to a location so vague nothing possibly could be found. And if the end of her trail was in fact the correct general location, there were/are easier ways to get there... even in her day.