Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. And if youre considering the hike any other time of year, catching the sunset is the next best alternative. We went down it at night because the hike took us about 12 hours, and it wasn't tons of fun with head lamps. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. The payoff at the end was okay. Don't be fooled by its historic roots, this trail is a modern driver's dream, with hairpin turns, sweeping curves, and stunning new views around every corner. Thats how I felt during this trek. It's a spectacular hike with stunning views, and the ridgeline is always tons of fun with very few people once you get away from Flat Iron. As mentioned in the intro, members of the Peralta family regularly mined these mountains before falling victim to a murderous ambush by a band of Apaches. Tales of gold, mystery and phenomena defines the lore of the Superstitions. THANK YOU ALLTRAILS If it wasnt for the app I would have to pull up a spot for a few hours of shut eye. Although it can be quite crowded on the weekends during the peak season,the views from the saddleare absolutely worth it. Anyone who has hiked in the Supes knows that the terrain is unique in a harsh way. For every moment you push yourself on this hike, youll have another moment soaking up spectacular views. Wear hiking books. For all the Arizona waterfall lovers, this ones for you. This is a nice introductory hike to the Superstition mountain wilderness area. Do recommend. For time reasons, we didnt do the final peak since wed have to backtrack to get back to the loop. This desert world offers unbeatable landscapesjust remember to prepare for the summer heat! Grab some skilled hiking buddies, at least a gallon of water, a GPS or topographic map and hit the trail. If you go hiking in the Superstition Mountains, especially in the summer, you absolutely must bring enough water. The trail through Peralta Canyon is a popular Class 1 affair, but the less-used and more rugged Cave Trail involves a bit of scrambling, really more like clambering, if one follows the . 2. The area is known for lore about lost mines and ghost towns, and the museum will spark more curiosity about these mysteries. I started near hieroglyphics instead. If you read the previous hike description, youll notice that I did this hike by accident, but I wasnt the least bit disappointed. Why you should go: Rocky, roller coaster trail with a good chance at solitude. Before too long, youll be using your hands and feet to hoist yourself up, but the views dont fall short at any point during this hike. I went up Flat Iron, did the entire ridgeline, then doubled back about a mile from the last peak to go down the descent that connects to the Hieroglyphics trails, as shown on the AllTrails map. 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. Just pace yourself and watch your step and youll do well. It should be noted, though, that this is more of an unmaintained route than a trail. If you're quiet, you may be able to see big horned rams/sheep that are pretty cool. The main trail is 2.0. Directions: Lost Dutchman TH: Drive east from Phoenix on U.S. Highway 60. All rights reserved. Views are spectacular, start early like 4:30am or do a 2 day. If you decide to go during a warmer day, there may be a trickle. Once youre at the top, the glorious views are the reward for powering through. 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. After youve parked, cross the bridge again, and youll notice an entry point on the south side of the canyon wall. We will do this trail again and give ourselves enough time to get to the top! TheFlatiron Trailis not for the faint of heart. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. If you ever have company from out-of-state, this hike will give them the perfect dose of the desert. The Arizona Museum of Natural History is the only natural history museum you'll find in the Phoenix area, which is why it is home to some amazing artifacts! Of course, you can choose to merely drive along the loop, and maybe you'll catch a glimpse of the Longhorn cattle belonging to a local rancher. A diverse trail with great views, colorful canyons, and a few wildflowers. Its not scorching and the apples are in season. Just be careful these trails can be slippery and tricky to follow. Lovely area. Best hiked during cooler weather after some rain. Note: the distance and elevation may vary dependent upon the distance you choose to travel. Preview trail Backpacking Hiking Views No shade Conditions Treasure Loop Trail 56. But when the timing is right almost any given winter or early spring day the Supes satisfy nearly any craving for adventure and solitude. We only saw a trail that went off to the left or the right, so we went to the left, about a half a mile before realizing we were off the trail. It also means that you will rarely have access to water sources or shade. It is more of a climb/scramble then a hike. Thats the cave! But so worth it. The first time I attempted this hike, I did not navigate properly and continued straight, across the creek bed, instead of following the creek bed. If you get going early enough, youll be home in time for lunch! The points of direction for this trail are far from few. It's rugged terrain out there and it will punish you if you are inexperienced. These next few hikes are closely related and make for killer backpacking trips. This is another great hike for families, pups and beginner hikers. You quickly come up on the First Water trailhead and there will likely be a lot of people from here to the parking lot. Reviewers of this hike have claimed the navigation is like solving a hard puzzle. Without further ado, our favorite hikes in the Superstitions. Before Waltz died, he allegedly told his neighbor the mines location. This melting pot eventually grew into what archeologists now call the Salado culture. We fell a few times even going slow due to darkness. 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. Spice things up with these fun stops. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. So thats why Im only giving it two stars. Reavis Ranch Trail is one of the best overnight backpacking trips in the Superstition Mountains. If you are going with someone and have two cars, I would park one in the lot at hieroglyphics trailhead. The AllTrails map helped a lot, and there was service most of time. Although much of the history of Tortilla Flat has been lost to time, tourists all along the Apache Trail find the charming little town warm and inviting for a much-deserved break to stretch their legs. TRAILHEAD: First Water Trailhead, Apache Junction DIFFICULTY: moderate DISTANCE: 10.41 Mile Loop APPROX. We clocked 12 miles without the 9 mile flat area, had someone pick us up at Hieroglyphics lot, so the trail is a little longer than what it says here. I had excellent hiking shoes and did not slip even one time. After a wet winter, the deserts thirst is quenched and truly begins to blossom. A four mile mountain bike loop trail has opened at the park - this is a great way to enjoy the park's beauty while experiencing the famed Superstition Mountains! Carry ample waterthis is the desert, after all. The view was incredible and it was not busy at all because we went on a Wednesday afternoon. You may even catch some climbers top roping the Praying Hands rock formation. Hiking in a clockwise direction means an uphill start and downhill finish but travelling in either direction is permitted. It was not overly busy and most of the trail was clearly marked. This creek is prone to flash flooding, so do not enter if its raining, or if there is a chance of rain. This trail does get you closer to the unique spire formations of the Praying Hands. But going up siphon draw was a blast! Follow trails that reveal mighty mountaintops. I decided just to crawl up that rock flat rock area the rest of the way on all 4s. Youll have to figure out a way around it. Before you know it, youll be surrounded by the canyon walls in all their glory. Good workout, incredible view of Gold Canyon. Free shipping. Uphill to cave . The slick rock can be a bit tricky even when it's dry. This creek bed turns into the trail going south. Take note that you will weave through a neighborhood to get to the trailhead down South Kings Ranch Road off US 60 East. For travel in the Superstition Wilderness, we recommend the Superstition Wilderness, Arizona map published by Beartooth Maps of Montana.The map is . My phone died with 3 miles to go but completed around 20 miles in around 10 hours. Once you are there, relax, marvel at the views and nibble on the snacks you packed. Others have noted that as you continue on the north side of First Water Creek, a tunnel that leads to an old mine operation. Why you should go: An exposed adrenaline rush for adventurous souls. Just outside Phoenix at the base of the Superstition Mountains. For Rent. To Young. Need to Know Bring water. For one, when its overcast and/or raining, the desert is radiating in color and life. The route you choose will also determine the difficulty and length. There is a handful of parking spots on the other side of the bridge, but on a busy weekend, parking may be more difficult to come by. But the worst part is that whoever made the route just drew a straight line over a cliff. guide, Start a 7-Day Free Trial of All-Access Membership, 11 community trail reviews with the 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. Beautiful views starting miles back in the car. This 160,000-acre wilderness area contains over 170 miles of trails traversing the Sonoran Desert. Much easier. 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. I did this at the beginning of Feb and it was a lovely and challenging day hike!! So, lets say you dont want to go as far as Charlebois Springs (previous hike) and youd like to bring the kids along, but you still want to explore the wonders of the western Supes. WEAVERS NEEDLE LOOP STATS. If you havent been to the east side of the Superstition Mountains, its a must. Its about protecting what sustains us. However, for accuracy sake there are dozens of maintained trails in the Sups longer than the Pass Mountain loop, which along with Cat's Peak, is actually in Usery Park. The off-trail aspect gives this one an especially adventurous flavor. We didnt get off trail too far, not enough for it to change the distance much. The rugged peaks can be seen from miles away, seeming to invite outdoor enthusiasts to explore its many hidden canyons. Far from your average vacation or weekend getaway, Apache Trail may have had its travel challenges way back when, but is now a welcoming slew of fun points around every turn, ready to be discovered. Just past the springs, there are also some pools of water, and camping spots are scattered at the base of Charlebois Canyon. Woodbury Trail 114. I hate it when that happens. Make sure to wear shoes with good traction. The trail is anything but a straight line. Also, I had no idea that Peralta Road turned into a dirt road. The savviest of hikers will make this a loop. Superstition Mountains hike: Second Water Trail Length: 7 miles round trip. Conditions were cool & dry. Very busy, but fun and just the right amount of challenge. An easy to moderate day hike, Treasure Loop is a must-do for all outdoor enthusiasts. The trail winds its way through the desert landscape with an unobstructed view of the mountains and has some wonderful campsites to pitch a tent for a night or even more. The area is filled with some of the most challenging and scenic hiking on the planet. 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. It was a rapid incline the rest of the way to the top of Siphon Draw. According to Arizona Highways, Weavers Needle is named after Paulino Weaver, a famed mountain man, scout, trapper and miner.. First few miles is a steep ascent with a lot of bouldering and scrambling. As I was climbing up the flattened rock area. 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. Awesome hieroglyphs at the end and a small waterfall. Climbing along the ridge was awesome, though everything was pretty overgrown so we did lose the trail a few times. Starting at the Pass Mountain Trailhead, head east on the trail for 0.6 miles, then follow the Cat Peaks junction right. No conditions reported in the past 7 days. Don't let that discourage you, though! But dont let my misstep dissuade you from giving it a go. Pretty populated with people. The summer heat is unforgiving and is mercilesson unprepared visitors. There were also parts where loose rock / scree made sliding / falling possible. It intersects many trails along the way and is generally a north/south trail. During the 19th century, the main route through the mountains was a path carved by the Apaches-- later adopted by stagecoach travelers-- earning its name, Apache Trail. White-knuckle curves, ghost towns, and scenic beauty abound. Here, you have the chance to tour the authentic gold mine and the town that once boomed before it sadly died out when the mine dried up. 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