Distance: 12.5 miles Type: Loop Elevation Gain: 2,561 feet Difficulty: Moderate Location: Superstition Mountains Trailhead: Peralta Trailhead Dogs Allowed: Yes Local Tip: If you aren't up for a 12.5 mile hike but still want to check out the famous Weavers Needle, you can hike part of the trail up to Fremont Saddle and then back for a much shorter, yet still scenic . From paleontology and archeology to anthropology and geology, along with plenty of activity for the kids, this museum has got you covered. Click to enlarge. But these trips also present a challenge because the region has areas where water is seldom found. Horses on the side of the road, good parking, very rocky trail, moments of shade. Parking very tight even on a Friday morning. We did not do the boring loop part. 11 Best Places to Go Camping Near Water in Arizona, The Best Dog-Friendly Hikes Near Phoenix, Arizona. The trail begins across the street from the Canyon Lake Marina parking. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. If you have enough time, stay two nights. She is a Phoenix-based journalist with five years of writing and editing experience. Crowds of people climbing all over the glyphs today, really sad to see thousands of years of history ruined like that. This means the hike is 24 miles, not 19, so be careful of that. By clicking "ACCEPT", you agree to be the terms and conditions of each To Superior. A couple notes to level-set expectations: You also agree to the storing of cookies on Theres history on this hike. The good thing about the Sups is that as a Wilderness Area mountain bikes are banned. This creek bed turns into the trail going south. The marina at Canyon Lake will take care of all of your boating needs, and additionally has a campground for lodging! I decided just to crawl up that rock flat rock area the rest of the way on all 4s. The hike runs parallel to the Superstition Mountains for a while, then starts to lose elevation. Here are some pro tips for this backpacking trek: Additional info: Reavis Ranch Via 109 North. You had to zigzag your way through some Barbwire fencing, and we didnt see that. enhance and customize your user experience, and to analyze how our Youll start down Reavis Ranch via 109 North at the Reavis Ranch trailhead. Don't let that discourage you, though! by Bri Cossavella You'll find the first half paved and the second half made of dirt roads. Thats right: you dont have to go to Northern Arizona or Mount Lemmon to get a taste of the trees. An easy to moderate day-hike, Treasure Loop is a must-do for all outdoor enthusiasts. Additional info: Superstition Ridgeline Trail. Ill be honest, I have not done every hike in the Supes, but this one is my favorite. Quite a big difference if you ask me, so dont make the same mistake I did. Pay a visit to the Superstition Saloon and Restaurant for burgers and a brew, and then mosey on over to the country store for some prickly pear gelato. The Cupertino City Council gave the go-ahead Sept. 17, 2019 for the design of the Regnart Creek Trail, allocating $2.1 million for the trail's design, plus $150,000 for landscaping and/or . Although it can be quite crowded on the weekends during the peak season,the views from the saddleare absolutely worth it. Indeed, their mining expeditions reaped prosperity. We chose a loop trail approximately 14 miles in length, beginning at Peralta Trailhead and following Bluff Spring Trail, camping at Charlebois Spring and returning via Terrapin Trail. Easy Jeep trails that take you to an abandoned gypsum mine and also quite close to the Superstition Mountains. guide, Start a 7-Day Free Trial of All-Access Membership, 11 community trail reviews with the It's rated as moderate and gains 500 feet in elevation. To note, the day use gate closes at 8pm, so plan accordingly if you're doing the full loop. 3. In late February through March, this is one of the best wildflower trails you're likely to come across (dependent on winter rains). The savviest of hikers will make this a loop. We'll help you pick the right season for you. Superstition Mountain Trails traverse through Arizona's most beautiful Sonoran Desert landscape and the hiking trails at Lost Dutchman State Park are a great place to begin your adventure! Also should not be rated the same level of difficulty as camelback and other hikes in the area. Continuing on the Treasure Loop trail, the remainder of the hike goes through the same desert scenery and heads towards the Cholla Day use parking area (Cholla parking area on the map). Give yourself plenty of time, have fun, and stay safe. Theres no wonder Elisha Reavis hence the name Reavis Ranch made a home for himself back here in the mid-1800s. All rights reserved. The points of direction for this trail are far from few. If you read the previous hike description, youll notice that I did this hike by accident, but I wasnt the least bit disappointed. I enjoyed the hike. Taken from the First Water trail access road : r/arizona by fatalifeaten Superstition Mountain 26 Feb 2023 with a little frosting. Adventure into the mountain via horseback, or join a guided tour of the history of women and their roles in the 1800s. Fantastic trail but it is no hike, you are basically climbing once you hit half way point. And once youve reached Fremont Saddle, you can marvel at Weavers Needle. About a mile in, you will come to a creek bed. And as Ive said before, exploring this region of the Superstitions makes for a great backpacking trip. It's beautiful, but can get boring at times. According to the legend, Waltz and his partner successfully extracted gold and supposedly hid a stash somewhere in the Superstition Mountains. Its seasonal, though, so thats why its best to go after some rain or snowmelt. Its easy to mistake the small drainage at bottom as your destination, so be sure to continue another half-mile over the next hill to Reavis Creek. Without further ado, our favorite hikes in the Superstitions. Why you should go: The more scenic way to Reavis, and you can still get apples. Covering over 160,000 acres, the Superstition Wilderness contains an abundance of cactus, wildflowers, and perennial water sources interwoven with the soaring mountain tops of granite, basalt and dacite. The self-guided tour is rewarded by great views of the basin and Theodore Roosevelt Lake, and you can see dozens of local plants and animals, including different kinds of those distinctive cacti. Numerous creek crossings. There are many spots where you can see both east (towards Four Peaks and Superstition Wilderness) and west (towards Phoenix) and its moments like those that remind you why you're about to hike 20+ miles. Or, you can park at the Crosscut Trailhead for free, but youll add 2.6 additional miles roundtrip. Located along the southern rim, Superstition Loop allows 4x4 users to enjoy the towering peaks while driving along an easy off-road trail. Loop hike with the Peralta trail to the Cave trail in the Superstition wilderness, Arizona. A little bit of up and down, but not much total elevation change. We hike regularly and are fit. Uphill to cave . No one really knows the source of the carvings, but its still a magnificent piece of history and a memory to take home. My phone died with 3 miles to go but completed around 20 miles in around 10 hours. I would highly highly recommend wearing proper footwear for this. There are some interesting rock climbing routes here too, if you are trained in safe rock climbing. Along the way, you'll get to explore the history and natural beauty of the Superstition Mountains and the Tonto National Forest. This was my second time on this hike. Just bear in mind the waterfall is seasonal. Got lucky and found lot parking but lot was pretty full. If youre afraid of heights, summiting the Battleship may indeed be a battle. Superstition Mountains Area, Mesa, Arizona. It is full of history and tales of gold, as well as 100-year-old saguaro cacti, vista views, and wildlife. AllTrails says 19.2 miles with 4,767 feet of gain. The off-trail aspect gives this one an especially adventurous flavor. Yes, this excruciatingly steep hike is a heart-pumper, but its rewarding as can be and still worthwhile if you choose to only go to the end of the Siphon Draw Trail section. Pretty creek crossings and ethereal area views dot the path. From Ma Ha Tauk Trail, turn left to proceed to Crosscut Trail. Superstition Backroads 2.5 A short day close to town. Superstition Wilderness Mesa Ranger District 5140 E. Ingram St. Mesa, Arizona 85205 480.610.3300 Monday-Friday: 8 am - noon | 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm Lost Dutchman State Park 6109 N. Apache Trail Apache Junction, AZ 85119 480.982.4485 Trip Reports Woodbury Trail 114. Hes also the one who planted the apple orchard. You won't find the Lost Dutchman's gold, but you will get luminous views of Weaver's Needle, Four Peaks, Battleship Mountain and Canyon Lake. Toward the end, the incline straddles the line between easy and moderate. I only went a couple of miles in, but I loved it. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. Its about building relationships with the outdoors and each other. Check out the Elvis Memorial Chapel, the rare 20-stamp ore crusher, and the amazing scenery, worth taking a break for. You will cross First Water Creek several times, so if you are doing this hike during the rainy season, heres your chance to take pleasure in some fresh water. Muddy trail. Only one or two Peralta survivors escaped the bloodbath and returned to Mexico. The existing Apache Trail in Arizona is a 120 mile circle route through the Superstition Mountains. To get to the ranch via Trail 109s northern terminus, youll start at the Reavis Ranch trailhead. We started out around 11am temps were in the high 50s. Parker Pass is a great option. I watched so many people slipping and falling in their tennis shoes. Summer days may offer unforgiving heat or violent thunderstorms. Once you get past the turnoff to Flat Iron (Siphon Draw), the trail is virtually empty and you have the whole ridge to yourself. Park at Lost Dutchman State Park for $7 per vehicle and you can start the loop at one of two places: the Cholla day-use area or the Saguaro day-use area. The Peralta trail extends for miles beyond the saddle, where many people end their hike after getting the best views of Weaver's Needle, to create longer loops. From AZ 88, or Apache Trail, you will eventually cross a bridge. This 20 mile out and back trail with an elevation gain of 2,749 feet takes you to a unique destination: An apple orchid in an old Ranch site. A passenger car can get you to the trailhead, but stay focused and use care. THANK YOU ALLTRAILS If it wasnt for the app I would have to pull up a spot for a few hours of shut eye. Itll make you work, but also give you spots to rest, and the best part is there is hardly anyone around. Stuck with the all trails GPS, looked out for cairns and blazes, and made it through. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 10 h 29 min to complete. This trail weaves through a wash to begin with, but quickly increases elevation. Look out for epic views of Weavers Needle, too. The Superstition Wilderness is a stunning 160,200 acre area outside Apache Junction, AZ, with over 170 miles of (variously maintained) trail networks. However, in the beginning, my friends and I had no idea what we were in for. Learn More . But once youre at the top of this mountain, the views are 360 degrees: Weavers Needle, Black Mesa, Canyon Lake, LaBarge Canyon and the vastness of the Superstition Wilderness. Good shape. It eventually meets a well maintained trail. Dont worry, you are still going the right way to the trail head. This is just one option. This is also the point in which fear of heights might kick in, but you can do it. The route is very clearly marked with signage throughout. Underneath the bridge is Fish Creek. Trust me, youll want to stay awhile, so I suggest packing a lunch for this one. Free shipping. I almost couldnt believe that the desert was capable of creating the lush environment at Charlebois, which is silly to say because nature is the purest form of intelligence! This creek is prone to flash flooding, so do not enter if its raining, or if there is a chance of rain. This is another great hike for families, pups and beginner hikers. Sign up for our free email to join thousands of readers getting epic travel, hiking, camping and gear ideas every week. This 160,000-acre wilderness area contains over 170 miles of trails traversing the Sonoran Desert. Then, after a few switchbacks, youre there. Just 15 miles up the trail from Apache Junction, the lake offers scenic red canyons surrounding bright waters, inviting you to boat, ski, fish, or just take it all in. Explore the most popular trails in my list Superstition Mountain Trails with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. One of four lakes created by Salt River dams (the others are Roosevelt Lake, Apache Lake and Saguaro Lake), Canyon Lake is the most strikingly beautiful of the quad. Superstition Wilderness Mesa Ranger District 5140 E. Ingram St. Mesa, Arizona 85205 480.610.3300 Monday-Friday: 8 am - noon | 12:30 pm - 4:30 pm Trip Reports "This is a great alternative to hiking back on the Peralta Trail and I recommend it if you have the time. Boulder Canyon Trail is a treasure-chest of a hike in the Superstition Mountains. About 20 years after the attack, Jacob Waltz now known as The Dutchman caught wind of the mines location. Eventually, you will settle into a canyon and this where all the fun begins. The weekends during the peak season, the views from the saddleare absolutely worth it the carvings but... Glyphs today, really sad to see thousands of readers getting epic travel, hiking, Camping and gear every., though, so thats why its best to go but completed around miles. Rocky trail, turn left to proceed to Crosscut trail fun begins at... All of your boating needs, and wildlife this a loop the Canyon Lake parking! 88, or if there is a treasure-chest of a hike in the.. 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