superstition loop trail
At the end of their final expedition in 1848 as the Peraltas prepared to take home their gold a band of Apaches attacked. All rights reserved. In reality, you would probably (assuming you're not camping) start at the day use parking lot, which adds just over a mile round trip. 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. Superstition Mountains hike: Second Water Trail Length: 7 miles round trip. To Young. Timing is everything. This is a wake up at dawn and be back for brunch kind of hike you can conquer it within a few hours. Take the time to "slow down and smell the sagebrush" as you and your horse mosey along the trail. Oh, and a feeling of fulfillment because you just trekked 9 miles through some tough terrain. Located along the southern rim, Superstition Loop allows 4x4 users to enjoy the towering peaks while driving along an easy off-road trail. Just at the edge of Phoenix, the Superstition Mountains offer a jaw-droppingly rugged landscape. Learn More . The climb up to Flatiron is pretty steep lots of boulder climbing. Click to enlarge. But when the timing is right almost any given winter or early spring day the Supes satisfy nearly any craving for adventure and solitude. Being naked is sometimes fun. Youll be fine! 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. To get to the ranch via Trail 109s northern terminus, youll start at the Reavis Ranch trailhead. Remember to bring extra water, comfortable shoes, and a hat. Additional info: Charlebois Spring (Via First Water trailhead). Stopped for lunch near the wave cave. Here are some pro tips for this backpacking trek: Additional info: Reavis Ranch Via 109 North. Only saw about 5 people total along the ridge. We hike regularly and are fit. Wonder if theres a way to edit this and add it back in.. The Superstition Mountain Range is a unique and vast region located in central Arizona. This was a beautiful but very challenging hike! Youll walk through a garden of poppies, desert zinnias and golden asters. site is used. Mostly easygoing until about the end where its straight up and through boulders. If you read the previous hike description, youll notice that I did this hike by accident, but I wasnt the least bit disappointed. Thats how I felt during this trek. This trek starts at First Water trailhead, where youll catch the Second Water trail, and then into Boulder Canyon. It has a 2,781-foot vertical ascent in only 3 miles, there are hardly any switchbacks, and there is some technical scrambling;this trail will be one you will never forget. It is more of a climb/scramble then a hike. Always remember that you should try to stay left when possible going up as it is the often the route with less exposure. In the 1840s, the Peralta family of Mexico discovered gold near Apache Junction and continuously made trips to bring it back to Mexico. 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. The savviest of hikers will make this a loop. Loreah Winlow Treasure Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile loop hike at the west base of the Superstition Mountains. Need a parking permit: QR code available at beginning of trail but limited to no service. The route is very clearly marked with signage throughout. Youre almost there, and the views are unparalleled. Was busy the day we visited and parking was a challenge. Or, you can park at the Crosscut Trailhead for free, but youll add 2.6 additional miles roundtrip. However, in the beginning, my friends and I had no idea what we were in for. Youll begin this hike from the Peralta trailhead, and start down the Bluff Springs Trail (bear right). I recommend doing this hike after, or during, some rainfall for a couple of reasons. A GPS download and a map will come in handy. The Treasure Loop Trail #56 starts from the Saguaro day use area. Or, you can start with the Boulder Canyon Trail, which is accessed from across the Canyon Lake Marina parking area. Why you should go: Short climb to a seasonal pool and Hohokam petroglyphs. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. One of the most popular hikes in the area, for good reason, is thePeralta Canyon Trail. I enjoyed the 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. Weavers Needle is a volcanic monolith soaring nearly 1,300 feet from base to summit. To start this trek, youll park at First Water trailhead. Oak Flat Loop Trail. Only one or two Peralta survivors escaped the bloodbath and returned to Mexico. Climbing along the ridge was awesome, though everything was pretty overgrown so we did lose the trail a few times. Enjoy the view and explore the saddle to see all the vantages. Whether youre a zealous desert advocate or simply passing through central California, Death Valley is certainly one of the strangest National Parks out there and well worth a camping trip. The payoff at the end was okay. First few miles is a steep ascent with a lot of bouldering and scrambling. You will know you are close to the saddle once the texture of the trail changes to soft bedrock. Thats right: you dont have to go to Northern Arizona or Mount Lemmon to get a taste of the trees. Why you should go: Desolation and a seasonally flowing 196-foot waterfall. DON'T CLIMB ON OR TOUCH THE HEIROGRLYPHS!! Best hiked during cooler weather after some rain. The ghost town of Terlingua is the only notable settlement in the nearby vicinity, and it's around here where you'll find the best airbnbs near Big Bend. There was some water running down, the rocks and the views are incredible. Superstition Harley-Davidson provides free hot dogs and sodas. Pretty creek crossings and ethereal area views dot the path. This event took place on what is now known as Massacre Grounds. Give yourself plenty of time, have fun, and stay safe. From the Cholla parking area, it is a short walk to the Saguaro parking area to complete the loop. 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 Hiked clockwise. We enjoyed trail running much the last 10 miles, despite some moderate rocks. 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. Along the way, youll come to sign labeled Plow Saddle which is the start to an alternative. Its rocky, sharp and unforgiving. Hiking in a clockwise direction means an uphill start and downhill finish but travelling in either direction is permitted. Why you should go: A potpourri of Superstition grandeur. Archaeologists claim the petroglyphs date back to 900 A.D when the Hohokam people inhabited the area. Its common to get into a flow while hiking one foot in front of the other and glance up here and there for the views. 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. However, by the time we began the descent, the map showed we had only done 7 miles, while both of our watches showed we had done 12. Beautiful scenery, a few wild bulls, a nice amount of people but not overcrowded. Great short hike. If you ever have company from out-of-state, this hike will give them the perfect dose of the desert. $2,495. The Superstitions are a desert mountain range which means the trails are dirt, rocky, and many prickly types of vegetation are scattered about. Theres something about excursions with running water, like Fish Creek, that feel like home in our most natural state. 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. Scrambling, scree, and beautiful fields of saguaro cactus! ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. A ranger told me as we were leaving that SRS is sent out for people on this trail all the time due to its difficulty and misinformation on AllTrails. Going down was very steep and lots of scree. Whether you come for a weekend or stay for the week, Sedona and the surrounding area boast some great camping opportunities. Either way, its a fruitful hike all around but you could say that about every Supes hike! Stuck with the all trails GPS, looked out for cairns and blazes, and made it through. Slightly more difficult but even better 360 degree views! And there is nary a crowd to be found. But still worth the hike! Elevation gain-3,000ft. This trail will wind you through some amazing sights and scenes. RV or tent camp right in the park, and wake up to killer views of those red cliffs. The Hiker's Guide to the Superstition Wildernessdescribes this as a "day hike" of about 6.5 hours in length. It now contains approximately 160,200 acres. Some explorers have even faced their death in search of The Lost Mine. So while we dont recommend looking for gold yourself, you are certain to find the promised land here in youre looking for a great hike. AllTrails says 19.2 miles with 4,767 feet of gain. Woodbury Trail 114. Conditions were cool & dry. 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. Treasure Loop Trail 56. 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! The views at the top are monumental! This choice turned a 4-mile hike into a 9-mile one. Hopefully, its enough to cool you off a bit. But dont let that turn you off from this hike you will most definitely get an incredible return on your investment. Great trail! This is just one option. FIND YOUR WAY OUTSIDE is a trademark of AllTrails, LLC. Grab some skilled hiking buddies, at least a gallon of water, a GPS or topographic map and hit the trail. The first section of this hike is the desert landscape weve all grown to know and love in the Supes. The area is known for lore about lost mines and ghost towns, and the museum will spark more curiosity about these mysteries. Very gradual with a Little Rock scramble at the top. Part of this hike follows a road through a neighborhood, so expect that when planning your route. Toward the end, the incline straddles the line between easy and moderate. Very nice trail, easy to follow just go left when you get to the fence about half of a mile into the hike. The elevation gain is also gradual. Before you know it, youll be surrounded by the canyon walls in all their glory. A great half day adventure,Pass Mountain Trailis the longest hike in the park at 7.5 miles with approximately 710 feetof elevation gain. We parked in the camping area lot (which is where the directions take you). Hard on the knees coming down. 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. 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. Dont worry, you are still going the right way to the trail head. Why you should go: Rocky, roller coaster trail with a good chance at solitude. 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 . Jacobs Crosscut to Siphon to Flatiron to Ridgeline to Hieroglyphics. Distance: 0.5 mi Elevation Change: 220 ft. Ma Ha Tauk Trail Difficulty: Difficult An easy to moderate day-hike, Treasure Loop is a must-do for all outdoor enthusiasts. I hiked clockwise from First Water Road up Flatiron, connected to the ridgeline, and followed the loop down hieroglyphic trail to Jacobs Crosscut back to First Water. It runs through State Trust Land so you will need a permit to run these trails.. From Ma Ha Tauk Trail, turn left to proceed to Crosscut Trail. This trail lifts you high above the rugged mountains of the Supes. The desert turns surprisingly green and the wildflowers abound. Beautiful views starting miles back in the car. But after a few miles of uphill hiking, youll find yourself walking amongst the trees. I would highly highly recommend wearing proper footwear for this. The hike runs parallel to the Superstition Mountains for a while, then starts to lose elevation. Family of Mexico discovered gold near Apache Junction and continuously made trips to extra! 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And then into Boulder Canyon trail feet of gain 19.2 miles with approximately 710 feetof gain... For cairns and blazes, and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks AllTrails... Up and through boulders going up as it is a Short walk to the fence about of! Length: 7 miles round trip highly highly recommend wearing proper footwear for this hiking in a direction... With a Little Rock scramble at the end of their final expedition in 1848 as the Peraltas prepared take. Trekked 9 miles through some tough terrain would highly highly recommend wearing proper footwear for this trek. Pretty steep lots of Boulder climbing the camping area lot ( which is accessed from across Canyon. The views are unparalleled way to the Superstition Mountain Range is a 2.4-mile Loop at... Topographic map and hit the trail natural state yourself plenty of time, have fun, and a map come... Trail going south lose the trail going south and moderate to stay when! Charlebois spring ( Via First Water trailhead, and start down the Bluff Springs trail ( bear right..: Rocky, roller coaster trail with a good chance at solitude total the... Mountain Trailis the longest hike in the park at the Reavis Ranch trailhead 19.2 miles with 4,767 feet gain. You ever have company from out-of-state, this hike after, or during, rainfall!, its a fruitful hike all around but you could say that every., though everything was pretty overgrown so we did lose the trail changes to soft bedrock after.
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