Its seasonal, though, so thats why its best to go after some rain or snowmelt. Wear hiking books. A nice walk, certainly not challenging. The main trail is 2.0. 3-day, 2-night trip. But so worth it. The museum is great for the family or any history buff, and is even home to something that should be near and dear to your heart after driving Apache Trail-- a stagecoach that was once used on the route! For Rent. I recommend doing this hike after, or during, some rainfall for a couple of reasons. I tracked my hike on Garmin, not AllTrails, so my map and stats dont show on here. Don't let that discourage you, though! The trail slowly gains elevation as it heads directly towards the Superstition Mountains. Carry ample waterthis is the desert, after all. 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. 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 . I only brought 2.5L with me and it wasnt enough. Need a parking permit: QR code available at beginning of trail but limited to no service. I also pulled a muscle in my quad on the descent, so maybe that had something to do with it. This trail does get you closer to the unique spire formations of the Praying Hands. I dont blame them. Hike the Treasure Loop trail in the Superstition wilderness of Arizona. Sign up to receive our newsletter packed with the best adventure guides, travel ideas, news, and articles. Starting at the Pass Mountain Trailhead, head east on the trail for 0.6 miles, then follow the Cat Peaks junction right. 755 S Colonial St, Gilbert, AZ 85296. 23-mile figure 8 loop trail. Great trail! The Superstition Wilderness is a stunning 160,200 acre area outside Apache Junction, AZ, with over 170 miles of (variously maintained) trail networks. AllTrails says 19.2 miles with 4,767 feet of gain. 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. Here's where the best summer memories often begin. 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. For travel in the Superstition Wilderness, we recommend the Superstition Wilderness, Arizona map published by Beartooth Maps of Montana.The map is . Superstition Wilderness Area This Wilderness was designated in 1939, and was expanded to its present size in 1984. One of the hardest treks in the Supes, the Ridgeline isnt for the meek or uninitiated. Why you should go: Conquer the toughest hike on this list. To U.S. 60. TheFlatiron Trailis not for the faint of heart. Decades later, Jacob Waltz, aka "the Dutchman," was said to have found the mine, and hid gold in the Superstitions. According to Arizona Highways, Weavers Needle is named after Paulino Weaver, a famed mountain man, scout, trapper and miner.. Two of my friends were from out of town and they said it was one of the most beautiful hikes theyve done. 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. Before Waltz died, he allegedly told his neighbor the mines location. 88; and drive approximately 3 miles to the entry of the Lost Dutchman State Park; (entrance fees are charged). That was good for the calf muscles. It can be as straightforward or as sporadic as you want. Incredible hike with amazing views and fun scrambles. If you want a real challenge, pound in your tent stakes and head over to Peralta Hiking Trail to climb up to the top of the Superstitions. Here's how to make 'em work together. It's time to go beyond. Superstition Mountain itself is the anchor to this strangely beautiful, historically rich wilderness area. The route you choose will also determine the difficulty and length. 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. The Superstition Loop Trail starts and ends on Peralta Rd in Gold Canyon AZ. Here are some pro tips for this backpacking trek: Additional info: Reavis Ranch Via 109 North. If you decide to go during a warmer day, there may be a trickle. It's a bit anticlimactic but you get out of that section pretty quickly. As I was climbing up the flattened rock area. Its worth hanging out a few extra minutes to soak up the sights and sounds before continuing to Flatirons flat-topped summit. Once you reach the last quarter, get ready to scramble and bushwack a bit I promise its worth it, though. Taken from the First Water trail access road Vote 0 Arizona United States of America North America Place 0 comments Best Add a Comment More posts you may like And if youre considering the hike any other time of year, catching the sunset is the next best alternative. Woodbury Trail 114. There is an aquifer-fed spring/creek to refill water, but be sure to pack plenty regardless. Sun went down before we reached turn off to Hieroglyphics which made the last mile of Ridgeline and whole Hieroglyphics trails more difficult. Follow white arrows. Trail well marked, although helps to have the AllTrails app in case you get off track, which sometimes happens. 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. The bold canyon walls drop the temperature quite a bit, creating a separate world just off the Treasure Loop Trail area. Let the Sonoran Desert be your guide to limitless adventure. It presents an adventure for rock climbers, too, some of which have even camped out at the top. However, in the beginning, my friends and I had no idea what we were in for. In the 1840s, the Peralta family of Mexico discovered gold near Apache Junction and continuously made trips to bring it back to Mexico. With lower congestion than some of the shorter, easier hikes in the area, you can get a quiet experience in this beautiful desert landscape. Mostly easygoing until about the end where its straight up and through boulders. The rugged peaks can be seen from miles away, seeming to invite outdoor enthusiasts to explore its many hidden canyons. If you go hiking in the Superstition Mountains, especially in the summer, you absolutely must bring enough water. Good trails, some slippery parts, loose rocks, decent hike overall, beautiful scenery. Perfect day on this fantastic trail. All rights reserved. The Superstition Mountain Range is a unique and vast region located in central Arizona. There were also parts where loose rock / scree made sliding / falling possible. Similar to Battleship Mountain, navigation gets a little finicky in the river bed, so watch for cairns. Superstition Mountain Hiking: Peralta Canyon Trail Elevation Gain- 1400 feet (427 meters) Trail Type- Go and Return Distance- 4.5 Miles (7.24 km) Difficulty Rating- Moderate to Difficult 5 Stars Pets- Yes The Peralta Canyon Trail is very popular because of the stunning scenery found along its route. The magistrates were now so far satisfied as to agree that Jacques Aymar should be authorized to follow the trail of the murderers, and have a company of archers to follow him. The trail is well defined and every trail junction is well signed. Canyoneering 3: Loop Hikes in Utah's Escalante by Steve Allen (English) Paperbac. Fantastic trail but it is no hike, you are basically climbing once you hit half way point. But dont let my misstep dissuade you from giving it a go. We anticipated doing 4 miles and once we realized we were on the wrong trail, we werent sure how many more miles we had to go. Like walking into a desert forest. Or, you can park at the Crosscut Trailhead for free, but youll add 2.6 additional miles roundtrip. It was breathtaking from the very beginning. 11 Best Places to Go Camping Near Water in Arizona, The Best Dog-Friendly Hikes Near Phoenix, Arizona. We had to turn around and figure out where the correct trail was. It should be noted, though, that this is more of an unmaintained route than a trail. Why you should go: Fresh apple picking and a refreshing pine forest. Keep in mind that this is not an official trail, but it begins at the Carney Springs Trailhead. Or, you can start with the Boulder Canyon Trail, which is accessed from across the Canyon Lake Marina parking area. The views at the top are monumental! Itll make you work, but also give you spots to rest, and the best part is there is hardly anyone around. Is the Dutchmans Lost Gold Mine real? 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. 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 route is very clearly marked with signage throughout. I would highly highly recommend wearing proper footwear for this. 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. I strongly recommend doing it as a point-to-point where you start at Flat Iron and end at the Hieroglyphics trailhead. Be careful, I had good tread and still slipped a few times. Amazing amazing amazing though scary at some points but worth it. As the story goes, the family was ambushed by Apaches while on a gold expedition, leaving all but one or two family members left for dead. Updated February 09, 2023. Small trickles of water/puddles at the end, def no water fall. Do it! By clicking "ACCEPT", you agree to be the terms and conditions of each Pretty creek crossings and ethereal area views dot the path. You will pass Jacob's Crosscut trail #58 (JCT 1ST on the map), continue on the Treasure Loop trail by going straight. This desert world offers unbeatable landscapesjust remember to prepare for the summer heat! by Bri Cossavella This trek starts at First Water trailhead, where youll catch the Second Water trail, and then into Boulder Canyon. The views up top are incredible, but dont sleep on the traverse through Siphon Draw. Make no mistake, its a tough climb and, had I gone further, it would have only got tougher! 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. This was a beautiful but very challenging hike! Located along the southern rim, Superstition Loop allows 4x4 users to enjoy the towering peaks while driving along an easy off-road trail. This hike took about 2 hours with a detour to the Praying hands climbing area. We only made it to the top of siphon draw because we did not leave early enough in the day to have enough daylight to make it to the top not to mention we were really exhausted. Youll pass a handful of small caves, do a little scrambling, and have much more solitude than you got on the Peralta Trail which was probably none unless you got lucky. 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