Indeed, their mining expeditions reaped prosperity. To get to this hideaway, youll start at the First Water Trailhead off of AZ 88, like some of the other great hikes on this list. Our only option was to just keep hiking, and eventually we wound up back at the car. White-knuckle curves, ghost towns, and scenic beauty abound. Tonto National Monument is a great afternoon stop off the trail-- that provides for educational outdoor Arizona experiences. Get a permit to be here! Not enough time to do a 7-mile loop? starting at First Water Trailhead and taking the Dutchmans Trail. Awesome hieroglyphs at the end and a small waterfall. Hard on the knees coming down. The lower dwelling is open to the public, half a mile up a steep path, while the upper cliff can be accessed via guided tour only. Gateway Loop Trail is equestrian and dog friendly. Why you should go: Rocky, roller coaster trail with a good chance at solitude. Trust me, youll want to stay awhile, so I suggest packing a lunch for this one. It's time to go beyond. This trail is great for backpacking and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. It may be wise to have a map and GPS as well. At the end of their final expedition in 1848 as the Peraltas prepared to take home their gold a band of Apaches attacked. Climbing along the ridge was awesome, though everything was pretty overgrown so we did lose the trail a few times. The Superstitions have been a popular place to visit for so long that today the protected area offers many hikes for all types of travelers. Could have done without them, but needed the miles for R3 training. Park the car at the Carney Springs parking area off of Peralta Road, and then drive to the Siphon Draw Trailhead in Lost Dutchman State Park to start the hike. Fish Creek isnt much of a trail and there is no real destination point, which, in my opinion, is a positive aspect. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. Well never know exactly why they etched these pictures perhaps artistic purposes, or to tell stories, or to symbolize tribal societies and ways of life. Want to report conditions for this trail? Learn More . Why you should go: To appreciate the sound of running water. 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. I thought we were lost lol. When he died, he took the location of the mine to his grave. Just remember, this is the desert. The towering crags of the Superstition Mountain glow brilliantly opposite the setting sun. I enjoyed the hike. With incredible landmarks such asWeaver's Needle, years of fascinating history abouthidden treasure, lost mines, death, and new development,this area has attracted visitors from all over the worldfor centuries. Lots of wet muddy spots throughout trail today. The most straightforward way is to take Dutchmans Trail (#104), but you can also get there via the Second Water Trail, which is a wonderland of waterfalls after recent rains. Expansive views, canyon walls, valley floors, switchbacks, desert trees, and a saguaro forest. West Pinto Trail 212. However, they said it was the last time they would allow me to pick the trail. It presents an adventure for rock climbers, too, some of which have even camped out at the top. The route is over open slopes bearing a few bushes, saguaro and other cacti, soon reaching a nice viewpoint over the lake, the canyon and the Apache Trail to the east, winding over the hills towards Tortilla Flat. Woodbury Trail 114. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Completed about 19 miles in 9 hours. To complete it, youll need some off-trail route finding skills and a shuttle car. It's still one of the best ways through the Superstitions. If you get going early enough, youll be home in time for lunch! Beautiful views everywhere, except the south part of the trail, which was burned and boring. Here's where the best summer memories often begin. View 10291 E Rimrock Loop, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118 property records for FREE including property ownership, deeds, mortgages, titles & sales history, current & historic tax assessments, legal, parcel & structure description, land use, zoning & more. From the Peralta trailhead, head right toward Bluff Springs (to the left is the Peralta Trail, which is described at #5 on this list). AllTrails says 19.2 miles with 4,767 feet of gain. We hike regularly and are fit. The Wave was cool to see. Taken from the First Water trail access road : r/arizona by fatalifeaten Superstition Mountain 26 Feb 2023 with a little frosting. This hike dubs its name from a huge, wave-shaped boulder projecting out of the cave floor. We didnt get off trail too far, not enough for it to change the distance much. Why you should go: Arguably the best view of Weavers Needle. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Good shape. WEAVERS NEEDLE LOOP STATS. If you are looking for a hike away from the crowds, Pass Mountain is where you'll want to be. Rainfall will get it going, but its mostly dependent on snowfall melting from the nearby high peaks. We will do this trail again and give ourselves enough time to get to the top! Add another 0.6 miles if you take the spur trail to the Praying Hands formation. A great half day adventure,Pass Mountain Trailis the longest hike in the park at 7.5 miles with approximately 710 feetof elevation gain. Going down was very steep and lots of scree. Numerous creek crossings. Although it can be quite crowded on the weekends during the peak season,the views from the saddleare absolutely worth it. Barriers have been placed at any confluences to ensure introduced fish do not hybridize with this native species. Seen in: Arizona, Arizona Hiking, Hike, Southwest. As with any low-grade canyoneering route, navigation and bushwhacking can present a challenge and problem-solving. The marina at Canyon Lake will take care of all of your boating needs, and additionally has a campground for lodging! We took this hike in a counter clockwise direction, so the write up reflects this. Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for SUPERSTITION WILDERNESS TRAILS WEST: HIKES, HORSE RIDES, By Jack Carlson NEW at the best online prices at eBay! 2. An easy to moderate day hike, Treasure Loop is a must-do for all outdoor enthusiasts. Turn right on Hwy. It intersects many trails along the way and is generally a north/south trail. According to the legend, Waltz and his partner successfully extracted gold and supposedly hid a stash somewhere in the Superstition Mountains. Always remember that you should try to stay left when possible going up as it is the often the route with less exposure. Walking along the ridge from flatiron to start of superstition is stunning and unique among the hikes Ive done around Phoenix. This is a counterclockwise loop that meanders around a formation known as the Miners Needle in the Superstition Wilderness, with views of mountains and Sonoran desert. It is flat and boring. But youll need to manage a handful of moves on your way up. Also, I had no idea that Peralta Road turned into a dirt road. This part of the trail is less crowded and presents an opportunity for some solitude and good views not seen from the main trail. Very gradual with a Little Rock scramble at the top. Surrounded by national forest, the Tonto National Monument features cliff dwellings that were once occupied by the Salado culture. From Ma Ha Tauk Trail, turn left to proceed to Crosscut Trail. It was a rapid incline the rest of the way to the top of Siphon Draw. Don't let that discourage you, though! Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. TRAILHEAD: First Water Trailhead, Apache Junction DIFFICULTY: moderate DISTANCE: 10.41 Mile Loop APPROX. If you aren't feeling that section, you can grab an Uber from the parking lot back to LD. What's now known as Tortilla Flat was originally a simple freight camp, home to a small community for years. It's this ruggedness that makes them so beautiful, but also what's made them so hard for travelers to navigate throughout history. Views are spectacular, start early like 4:30am or do a 2 day. About a mile in, you will come to a creek bed. Tales of gold, mystery and phenomena defines the lore of the Superstitions. 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. The elevation gain is also gradual. This is just one option. Live out history for yourself in Goldfield Ghost Town. But while youre flowing, keep your eyes as peeled as possible for the cairns, or you may miss the turnoff to the summit. As other said, the parking lot fills up really fast so you will need to get there early to get a spot or just be patient and wait people come and go all the time. This trail, in particular, keeps me humbled and healed. Hiking in a clockwise direction means an uphill start and downhill finish but travelling in either direction is permitted. And two, a grand waterfall is the destination. Awesome hike with varied terrain and views. This was an awesome hike that took us about 2.5 hour because we missed the trail leading into the wave cave area. Youll have to figure out a way around it. $2,495. The hardest part was superstition mountain peak as scrambling and lack of trail in parts made it tough. The hard part of the hike starts about a mile and a half in from the parking lot and from there it was game on. Distance: 0.5 mi Elevation Change: 220 ft. Ma Ha Tauk Trail Difficulty: Difficult 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). Updated February 09, 2023. Legend has it the Peralta family originally from northern Mexico came to these mountains in search of gold in the 1840s. Why you should go: In just four miles, you get some of the Supes sweetest sights. Just be careful these trails can be slippery and tricky to follow. Add 11:38 to my time and .75 miles to my distance for the stretch where I accidentally stopped the app. Keep going another .7 miles to the higher pass. Named after the fabled lost gold mine, Lost Dutchman State Park is located in the Sonoran Desert, at the base of the Superstition Mountains, only 40 miles east of Phoenix. Unless you want to go for the long haul, I talk about that hike next! You swap out a sea of cactus for high desert grading into lush forest. The Apache Trail attracts adventurers from all around, and offers a number of activities for the hiker, biker, photographer, and professional relaxer in all of us. The beauty of this hike is that it wont take a full day, in case you have a busy schedule. Trail was in good shape and the weather was very nice today. Top was windy and beautiful. Download the AllTrails map and follow the cairns. Territory Supply is reader-supported and may earn a commission when you book or purchase using our links. About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Got there around 830 or 9 on a friday, there were a few people when we started, not too bad though. Imagining the sunset on the evening of a full moon, and also catching the sunrise, left me speechless. Related Read:12 Best Hikes in Arizona, From Desert to Tundra. This trail has a magnetic pull because of the cave at the end, so I recommend the early start if you want to avoid the masses. Ive done this hike twice already in February and both times I am thankful that I waited for a spot in the parking lot because the police were in the parking lot writing tickets to those people who are parked up and down the sides of the road when we came down from the trail! Just past the springs, there are also some pools of water, and camping spots are scattered at the base of Charlebois Canyon. Hogs & Dogs Days begin at 11:00 a.m. and continues until 2:00 pm. Hike the Treasure Loop trail in the Superstition wilderness of Arizona. This is a wake up at dawn and be back for an early dinner kind of hike, or at least that was my experience the first time I summited Flatiron. The slickrock surface is fun to walk (or crawl) across, and is incredibly scenic. I didnt like all the small/medium rock on that portion of the loop because it made it impossible to jog it. 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. This was my second time on this hike. Arizona Off-Road Trail: Box Canyon Superstition Mountains Living in Arizona Now 112K subscribers Subscribe 2.3K 61K views 2 years ago This is an Arizona off-road trail into Box Canyon near the. Keep your eyes peeled during your visit, and you may even catch sight of a picturesque bighorn sheep perched atop the canyon! Lovely area. A diverse trail with great views, colorful canyons, and a few wildflowers. Before Waltz died, he allegedly told his neighbor the mines location. Thank you to whoever did that! This hike is reserved for the most experienced hikers physically and navigationally speaking. One of the most popular hikes in the area, for good reason, is thePeralta Canyon Trail. There is a GPS - gpx track at the bottom of the page. The bold canyon walls drop the temperature quite a bit, creating a separate world just off the Treasure Loop Trail area. What happened to the Salado people, and their rich culture that filled the mountains for centuries before they disappeared? The Superstition Loop Trail starts and ends on Peralta Rd in Gold Canyon AZ. In 1905, the trail was officially designated as an aid for the construction of the Theodore Roosevelt Dam, with Apache Junction at one end, and Theodore Roosevelt Lake at the other. Do recommend. It eventually meets a well maintained trail. I suggest doing this trail as one-way, and youll need to hike up the Peralta Trail before giving it a whirl. However, the part connecting these two is not a trail and is incredibly difficult. To stay on this loop hike, go left here. There is a wood bench and a sign at this point that marks the point at which you can take the secret spur trail to the Praying Hands. Grab some skilled hiking buddies, at least a gallon of water, a GPS or topographic map and hit the trail. If you read the previous hike description, youll notice that I did this hike by accident, but I wasnt the least bit disappointed. Loreah Winlow Treasure Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile loop hike at the west base of the Superstition Mountains. Everything else you need to know about Reavis Ranch is in the prior descriptionincluding a lay of the land, some history and pro tips! by Bri Cossavella $37.13. Or, you can park at the Crosscut Trailhead for free, but youll add 2.6 additional miles roundtrip. And if youre considering the hike any other time of year, catching the sunset is the next best alternative. And there is nary a crowd to be found. No snakes this time. A short optional climb is 3.0 and the Gypsum Overlook Loop is 2.5. But the worst part is that whoever made the route just drew a straight line over a cliff. Parker Pass is a great option. From the Cholla parking area, it is a short walk to the Saguaro parking area to complete the loop. The first section will get your blood flowing, but the views of the east side of the mountains will motivate you. Watch the sunset during dinner at Kokopellis Restaurant, or put your feet up at The Ledge at Dinosaur Mountain's outdoor bar and fire pits. There are some cairns and its nearly impossible to get lost, but we are going to leave it up to our pals over at HikeArizona to do the navigation honors. The spa offers everything from luxurious detox pedicures to deep tissue massages. Only about 4,000 elevation gain because we didnt do the final peak. The Apache Trail is a 40-mile circular route right through the Superstition Mountains. Look for the hieroglyphs on the left. Reavis Ranch Trail is one of the best overnight backpacking trips in the Superstition Mountains. Either way, its a fruitful hike all around but you could say that about every Supes hike! You may even catch some climbers top roping the Praying Hands rock formation. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Learn what makes these mountains so superstitious, all while enjoying some of the lighter exhibits as well. But dont let my misstep dissuade you from giving it a go. 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 . Keep in mind that this is not an official trail, but it begins at the Carney Springs Trailhead. There are three springs on this trail, two of which will require a little bit of navigation but will be necessary if you decide to turn this into an overnight trip. Loose rocks on trail. I recommend lacing up your boots in the springtime for this one. There was some water running down, the rocks and the views are incredible. Just a stone's throw from the Phoenix metro area, these trails give hikers a sense of solitude in a relatively remote setting. 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