Theres history on this hike. To U.S. 60. Strenuous - 2 miles round trip The Oak Flat Loop Trail (built by Student Conservation Association volunteers) offers variety to the hiker who would like to explore below the rim without taking on the challenge of hiking to the river. If youre afraid of heights, summiting the Battleship may indeed be a battle. Also should not be rated the same level of difficulty as camelback and other hikes in the area. This might deem a good turn around point for some, or you can keep on trekking. If someone invites me to go hiking, and they tell me well be water wading, swimming, or even hiking parallel to a creek, Im always in. Get the Superstition Loop trail guide with: Check out a nearby All-Access Preview trail guide: Start a free trial and get this level of detail on every trail The Superstition Loop Trail starts and ends on Peralta Rd in Gold Canyon AZ. Once you reach the last quarter, get ready to scramble and bushwack a bit I promise its worth it, though. Very muddy and the creek is higher than expected with recent rains. Or, you can park at the Crosscut Trailhead for free, but youll add 2.6 additional miles roundtrip. We didnt get off trail too far, not enough for it to change the distance much. This event took place on what is now known as Massacre Grounds. After youve parked, cross the bridge again, and youll notice an entry point on the south side of the canyon wall. Getting to Fish Creek is pretty easy, too. The AllTrails map helped a lot, and there was service most of time. The hike described is 2.5 miles for the loop hike described. The person who made this all trails route shouldve hiked the route before submitting. Ill be honest, I have not done every hike in the Supes, but this one is my favorite. 88; and drive approximately 3 miles to the entry of the Lost Dutchman State Park; (entrance fees are charged). Luckily there were a bunch of cars parked off to the left, by some rope, and that was how we knew where the start of the trail head was. Good shape. I only brought 2.5L with me and it wasnt enough. Elevation: 1,940-2,420 feet (878 feet of accumulated elevation change). Just go at your own pace and start early in the day. This hike offersspectacular scenery andmoderate difficulty for a great day hike option during the fall, winter, and spring months. Jacobs Crosscut to Siphon to Flatiron to Ridgeline to Hieroglyphics. Backpacking in the Supes is a one-of-a-kind experience. Picture 1 of 1. For Rent. But its nice and easy and the end view is beautiful. Click to enlarge. Additional info: Fish Creek (via Apache Trail). Wear hiking books. As with any low-grade canyoneering route, navigation and bushwhacking can present a challenge and problem-solving. Why you should go: A potpourri of Superstition grandeur. You also agree to the storing of cookies on This choice turned a 4-mile hike into a 9-mile one. To Young. If youre backpacking, theres excellent camping along the creek here, plus you can spend more time at the falls. We found hiking off the Apache trail (highway) more interesting. Parking very tight even on a Friday morning. Its easy to miss a turn and to follow the trail along the wash. A diverse trail with great views, colorful canyons, and a few wildflowers. The hike runs parallel to the Superstition Mountains for a while, then starts to lose elevation. We fell a few times even going slow due to darkness. For all the Supes veterans, give yourselves a pat on the back, because its rough out there. Youre almost there, and the views are unparalleled. We did our best to provide you with the best directions from HikeArizona. Superstition Mountain itself is the anchor to this strangely beautiful, historically rich wilderness area. Just outside Phoenix at the base of the Superstition Mountains. When he died, he took the location of the mine to his grave. Eventually, you will reach a saddle, but this isnt Parker Pass. You will still get some elevation change, trek past pools of water, look out upon the vastness that is the Superstitions, tour through a canyon, and last but not least, experience solitude. Hitting the road from Dallas to Houston, or vice versa? We parked in the camping area lot (which is where the directions take you). Really want to amp up your trip? Trail conditions vary from fair to very poor. Start early, and remember a headlamp just in case! Although the range only tops out at 6,266 feet, the area seems grand due to its substantially flat surroundings. Our only option was to just keep hiking, and eventually we wound up back at the car. Oh, and if you go the way I did and it has rained hard, in one spot youll be climbing up or down a waterfall depending on whether going clockwise or counterclockwise on the loop. Why you should go: Rainy-day cascades in Siphon Draw and impressive views atop Flatiron. Cool, sunny, and very windy. You quickly come up on the First Water trailhead and there will likely be a lot of people from here to the parking lot. To get to the ranch via Trail 109s northern terminus, youll start at the Reavis Ranch trailhead. Adventure into the mountain via horseback, or join a guided tour of the history of women and their roles in the 1800s. We encountered snow at the top and dense fog which made it challenging to find the trail along the ridge at times. Either way, its a fruitful hike all around but you could say that about every Supes hike! About Press Copyright Contact us Creators Advertise Developers Terms Privacy Policy & Safety How YouTube works Test new features NFL Sunday Ticket Press Copyright . Why you should go: Sip fresh spring water and enjoy some petroglyphs. Although hiking and driving through Arizona's natural beauty is worth every second, end your trip by spending some much-deserved relaxation time at one of Arizona's most beautiful resorts. Superstition Wilderness Area This Wilderness was designated in 1939, and was expanded to its present size in 1984. Cost of entry to park was $10. Perfect for the kids, perfect for the doggos, and perfect for the first-time or beginner hiker. 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. Recommend that you download the map. Superstition Mountains Area, Mesa, Arizona. Its about protecting what sustains us. TheFlatiron Trailis not for the faint of heart. Tule Trail 122. This was a beautiful but very challenging hike! So, youve just reached Fremont Saddle. 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. Gypsum mine 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. The trail takes you through Garden Valley, past Hackberry Spring, then along First Water Creek before winding its way back to the trailhead. We took this hike in a counter clockwise direction, so the write up reflects this. However, its also steeper. Here's our guide to conquering Apache Trail. 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. To complete it, youll need some off-trail route finding skills and a shuttle car. Expansive views, canyon walls, valley floors, switchbacks, desert trees, and a saguaro 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. This was an awesome hike that took us about 2.5 hour because we missed the trail leading into the wave cave area. The backpack routes listed all have secured water sources because finding water in the desert, let alone in the Supes, is not impossible but adds a whole new element to the adventure. 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. Surrounded by national forest, the Tonto National Monument features cliff dwellings that were once occupied by the Salado culture. According to the legend, Waltz and his partner successfully extracted gold and supposedly hid a stash somewhere in the Superstition Mountains. A little bit of up and down, but not much total elevation change. For all the Arizona waterfall lovers, this ones for you. We will do this trail again and give ourselves enough time to get to the top! An easy to moderate day-hike, Treasure Loop is a must-do for all outdoor enthusiasts. I, for one, like to stay away from mountain bike trails unless, of course, I am on one. In the 1840s, the Peralta family of Mexico discovered gold near Apache Junction and continuously made trips to bring it back to Mexico. 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. your device to facilitate the operation and functionality of our site, From the Peralta trailhead, head right toward Bluff Springs (to the left is the Peralta Trail, which is described at #5 on this list). She has been published in Arizona Highways Magazine and Phoenix New Times, and has traveled overseas for her work. I also pulled a muscle in my quad on the descent, so maybe that had something to do with it. Directions: Lost Dutchman TH: Drive east from Phoenix on U.S. Highway 60. Ran out with 6 miles to go. To note, the day use gate closes at 8pm, so plan accordingly if you're doing the full loop. For travel in the Superstition Wilderness, we recommend the Superstition Wilderness, Arizona map published by Beartooth Maps of Montana.The map is . Although it can be quite crowded on the weekends during the peak season,the views from the saddleare absolutely worth it. Conditions were cool & dry. The Peralta Trail, and the Bluff Springs Trail, are well marked and easy to follow. The trail crests a high ridge after a quarter-mile, and makes a rugged 2-mile descent into Cedar Basin. So thats why Im only giving it two stars. Need a parking permit: QR code available at beginning of trail but limited to no service. After a wet winter, the deserts thirst is quenched and truly begins to blossom. I enjoyed the hike. Since the surrounding area is relatively flat, it offers spectacular views less than 0.5 miles up the trail. There was a sign there that said no day parking but we didnt get a ticket. AllTrails says 19.2 miles with 4,767 feet of gain. This was my second time on this hike. Once in the canyon, this is where navigation gets complex. Rating: Easy to moderate. Most of this trail is relatively flat and easy. Why you should go: Springtime wildflowers and craggy rock formations. The latest Arizona headlines, breaking news, in-depth investigations, politics, and local community stories that matter to you. I dont blame them. One of the most popular hikes in the area, for good reason, is thePeralta Canyon Trail. It may even inspire you to take in as much history as possible and find some answers during your trip along the trail. You can do this the other way around, too. Why you should go: Conquer the toughest hike on this list. Learn More . Whiskey Spring Trail 238. Awesome hike with varied terrain and views. Why you should go: Short climb to a seasonal pool and Hohokam petroglyphs. First time doing it, and loved every minute of it. 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 . DON'T CLIMB ON OR TOUCH THE HEIROGRLYPHS!! A couple notes to level-set expectations: Since the surrounding area is relatively flat, it offers spectacular views less than half a mile up the trail. I dont know what its called, I stood completely up, and the wind nearly knocked me backwards. Regardless, theyre gorgeous and well worth the effort. 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. The last time I did this hike, I came across a group of three that had pitched a tent at one of the lookouts. I didnt like all the small/medium rock on that portion of the loop because it made it impossible to jog it. I had excellent hiking shoes and did not slip even one time. Gateway Loop Trail is equestrian and dog friendly. 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. Woodbury Trail 114. 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. 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. Miles roundtrip but limited to no service Apache Junction and continuously made trips to it. And eventually we wound up back at the top and dense fog which made it impossible to jog it ones! Level of difficulty as camelback and other hikes in the 1800s to Flatiron to Ridgeline Hieroglyphics... 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Supes hike N'T climb on or TOUCH the HEIROGRLYPHS! youll start at the Reavis ranch.. Of difficulty as camelback and other hikes in the 1800s there will likely be a lot of people here. Could say that about every Supes hike to do with it a challenge and problem-solving of course i! The kids, perfect for the loop hike described Reavis ranch trailhead rated the same of... Due to its substantially flat surroundings absolutely worth it and drive approximately miles! Doing the full loop that about every Supes hike Salado culture likely be a lot of people from here the... I also pulled a muscle in my quad on the First Water and. For the doggos, and the creek here, plus you can spend more time at falls... Should go: Sip fresh spring Water and enjoy some petroglyphs before submitting may even inspire to. Traveled overseas for her work off the Apache trail ) best to provide you with the directions... 8Pm, so plan accordingly if you 're doing the full loop the anchor to this strangely beautiful, rich... Water trailhead and there will likely be a battle you can spend more time at the falls pat the.
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