Beautiful trail, but a lot of the hieroglyphs have been destroyed by people climbing on them. The bold canyon walls drop the temperature quite a bit, creating a separate world just off the Treasure Loop Trail area. Depending on the time of year, there will be more or less water in the creek. After years of movement, thousands of people of all different cultures found themselves settled in the Tonto Basin. Followed the stream for the first half of the hike. These mountains take on a different life force once the sun goes down, and its worth it to feel it for yourself. It's still one of the best ways through the Superstitions. Explore the most popular trails in my list Superstition Mountain Trails with hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. There were also parts where loose rock / scree made sliding / falling possible. Well worth the hike. From an easy family hike before lunchtostrenuous summits, there is something for everyone. Its seasonal, though, so thats why its best to go after some rain or snowmelt. However, its also steeper. Loreah Winlow Treasure Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile loop hike at the west base of the Superstition Mountains. In the 1840s, the Peralta family of Mexico discovered gold near Apache Junction and continuously made trips to bring it back to Mexico. If you're in the mood for an adventure on the road, buckle up and get started! Why you should go: Instagrammable surfing the wave photo-op in a giant cave. 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. Some solid glute and quad strengthening never hurt anyone. This hike is shorter than the north side, too, by 3 miles. Why you should go: Rocky, roller coaster trail with a good chance at solitude. 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. 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. Why you should go: A rare, seasonally-flowing waterfall and haunting history. Youll get started at the Crosscut Trailhead off of First Water Road. At the end, you stand atop the Supes western face towering above the Valley. Conditions were cool & dry. Its easy to miss a turn and to follow the trail along the wash. The rugged peaks can be seen from miles away, seeming to invite outdoor enthusiasts to explore its many hidden canyons. This hike is located near Apache Junction, AZ. Best hiked during cooler weather after some rain. Amazing amazing amazing though scary at some points but 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! Did this hike yesterday (2/6/22). It intersects many trails along the way and is generally a north/south trail. First time doing it, and loved every minute of it. 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. We believe good things come from people spending time outside. Part of this hike follows a road through a neighborhood, so expect that when planning your route. 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. That being said, the best times to hike this wilderness area are typically November - April. Related Read:12 Best Hikes in Arizona, From Desert to Tundra. This trail will wind you through some amazing sights and scenes. If you finish this hike and enjoy it Id recommend Superstition peak via Carney Springs. Remember to bring extra water, comfortable shoes, and a hat. Add another 0.6 miles if you take the spur trail to the Praying Hands formation. For all the Supes veterans, give yourselves a pat on the back, because its rough out there. To note, the day use gate closes at 8pm, so plan accordingly if you're doing the full loop. Cost of entry to park was $10. Only one or two Peralta survivors escaped the bloodbath and returned to Mexico. Awesome hike with varied terrain and views. Next time I'll try to make it to the waterfall! We will do this trail again and give ourselves enough time to get to the top! I will say, though, that its not far from Charlebois Spring with a Forest Service sign next to it. For all the Arizona waterfall lovers, this ones for you. Mostly easygoing until about the end where its straight up and through boulders. I would highly highly recommend wearing proper footwear for this. view from Treasure Loop Trail of the Superstition Mountains Facts to Know Hours: 6am - 8pm Location: Lost Dutchman State Park Fee: $7 October - May on weekends & Holidays $10/vehicle Contact Number: 480 982-4485 Website: Lost Dutchman State Park Trailhead Map: Map of Lost Dutchman State Park Good to Know This trail can be very busy on the weekends. The term comes from the Spanish name Rio Salado, or the Salt River. Do keep in mind that it gets very steep towards the top and I wouldnt consider this an easy hike. No HOA. We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. Theres no wonder Elisha Reavis hence the name Reavis Ranch made a home for himself back here in the mid-1800s. in one spot you'll be climbing up or down a waterfall depending on whether going clockwise or counterclockwise on the loop. The Superstitions are a desert mountain range which means the trails are dirt, rocky, and many prickly types of vegetation are scattered about. It is flat and boring. A trip to Hackberry Spring is enough to prove otherwise. From the Peralta trailhead, head right toward Bluff Springs (to the left is the Peralta Trail, which is described at #5 on this list). Additional info: Reavis Ranch (Via 109 South). Fall is usually the best time. This is a nice introductory hike to the Superstition mountain wilderness area. Oak Flat Loop Trail. 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 policy linked to above. Toward the end, the incline straddles the line between easy and moderate. The latest Arizona headlines, breaking news, in-depth investigations, politics, and local community stories that matter to you. Up to 24 inches deep at the crossings! 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. Going right will take you to the Siphon Draw trail via the Prospectors View Trail. The descent from the pass is brutal on the legs but passes pretty quickly. 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. The off-trail aspect gives this one an especially adventurous flavor. To complete it, youll need some off-trail route finding skills and a shuttle car. Why you should go: An exposed adrenaline rush for adventurous souls. West Pinto Trail 212. Good workout, incredible view of Gold Canyon. This was an epic, long hike that I thoroughly enjoyed. All things considered, Id have rather just doubled back on the ridge and descended back down Flatiron, as I didnt enjoy the descent and the rest of the loop was quite monotonous and unspectacular compared to the ridge hiking. The slick rock can be a bit tricky even when it's dry. Superstition Harley-Davidson provides free hot dogs and sodas. At Exit 196, drive north 1 mile on Idaho Road to State Highway 88. Photographs 11 views of the trail and the Superstition Mountains. Follow trails that reveal mighty mountaintops. Do it! The area is known for lore about lost mines and ghost towns, and the museum will spark more curiosity about these mysteries. Many pools and waterfall. There are any number of trips you can design to fit your time and skill level. Theres something about excursions with running water, like Fish Creek, that feel like home in our most natural state. To get to the ranch via Trail 109s northern terminus, youll start at the Reavis Ranch trailhead. To start this trek, youll park at First Water trailhead. The hike runs parallel to the Superstition Mountains for a while, then starts to lose elevation. Worth a trip! Hike the Treasure Loop trail in the Superstition wilderness of Arizona. When is the Best Time to Visit Zion National Park? Very nice trail, easy to follow just go left when you get to the fence about half of a mile into the hike. The spa offers everything from luxurious detox pedicures to deep tissue massages. The climbing will peak at Green Boulder where it splits to the left or right (JCT 2L on the map). 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 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's rated as moderate and gains 500 feet in elevation. Rental homes, B&Bs and hotels, are readily available in Mesa. The trail up to the ridge is a great scramble, the ridge views are amazing and hopping down flat iron is grade A fun! It was not clearly marked. Why you should go: Family-friendly jaunt with possible creek time on rainy days. It's this ruggedness that makes them so beautiful, but also what's made them so hard for travelers to navigate throughout history. 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. Then, after a few switchbacks, youre there. site is used. Easy trail for all ages. Very gradual with a Little Rock scramble at the top. Would recommend this hike but be prepared for some challenges along the way. This was a beautiful but very challenging hike! Are you looking for a great day pack? . 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! The turn off is a little ways past Lost Dutchman State Park. Really fun route. It may seem like youre lost in suburbia, but youll get there eventually. 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. Looking for a fairly gentle hike just a bit of umph? We enjoyed trail running much the last 10 miles, despite some moderate rocks. However, they said it was the last time they would allow me to pick the trail. Reward yourself afterward. It starts at Rogers Trough Trailhead, and a high clearance with 4WD is recommended to get back here, especially after a good rain. Just a stone's throw from the Phoenix metro area, these trails give hikers a sense of solitude in a relatively remote setting. Reavis Ranch Trail is one of the best overnight backpacking trips in the Superstition Mountains. 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. Generally considered a challenging route, it takes an average of 10 h 29 min to complete. 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 It can be as straightforward or as sporadic as you want. For Sale: 9800 E Superstition Dr, Prescott Valley, AZ 86314 $42,000 MLS# 1052656 An impressive hillside lot (almost 1/2 acre) with outstanding views of state land to the south. You can learn more about our editorial policies, 12 Best Hikes in Arizona, From Desert to Tundra, Charlebois Spring (Via Peralta trailhead), Charlebois Spring (Via First Water trailhead), 11 Best Campgrounds in Death Valley National Park, 12 Epic Hiking Camps & Summer Backpacking Trips, 9 of the Best Places to Camp Near Sedona, Arizona, 12 Awe-Inspiring Airbnbs Near Big Bend National Park, Nude Hiking: How to (Legally) Celebrate Naked Hiking Day, 10 Best Hikes in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, The Best Stops on an Epic Dallas to Houston Road Trip. Wonder if theres a way to edit this and add it back in.. Follow white arrows. Just outside Phoenix at the base of the Superstition Mountains. Why you should go: Springtime wildflowers and craggy rock formations. 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. 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. Hard on the knees coming down. Pay attention to the cairns and don't get confused by the wash- you should be on a real trail for most of the way down. Parking very tight even on a Friday morning. This160,200-acre wilderness area was established as a pre-wilderness areain 1939, but it wasexpanded to its current size in 1964 when it was designated as an official wilderness area. Could have done without them, but needed the miles for R3 training. once at the parking lot, the hike back to Lost Dutchman is relatively flat and uneventful. 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. Top was windy and beautiful. My phone died with 3 miles to go but completed around 20 miles in around 10 hours. However, the part connecting these two is not a trail and is incredibly difficult. Sun went down before we reached turn off to Hieroglyphics which made the last mile of Ridgeline and whole Hieroglyphics trails more difficult. Lots of scrambling. Since the surrounding area is relatively flat, it offers spectacular views less than half a mile up the trail. Mark will be leading this ride Winkleman Loop 9:30am meetup at Superstition HD, safety and route briefing 9:45, KSU @ 10:00am . When dealing with such a hike, footing can be tricky and requires a bit of route finding in spots. Why you should go: The more scenic way to Reavis, and you can still get apples. The Superstition Mountain Range is a unique and vast region located in central Arizona. Wander among iconic landscapes beneath picture-perfect skies. Trail was in good shape and the weather was very nice today. And there is nary a crowd to be found. Treasure Loop Trail 56. But going up siphon draw was a blast! Superstition Peak 5024 via Siphon Draw Trail, Discovery Trail and Lost Dutchman State Park, Treasure Trail, Prospector View, and Crosscut Trail, Treasure Loop Trail via Jacob's Crosscut Trail, Cross Cut, Prospector and Jacob's Trail #58 Loop, Mountain Bike Loop at Lost Dutchman State Park, Native Plant Trail at Lost Dutchman State Park. Get a permit to be here! 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. The person who made this all trails route shouldve hiked the route before submitting. Great views after the fog cleared. 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. While solitude isnt always in the cards on the Peralta Trail, it does offer a journey through a mystical canyon and a desert wonderland even the drive to the trailhead feels like a gift. This hike is reserved for the most experienced hikers physically and navigationally speaking. If you only have the afternoon, spend time hiking and biking through the rugged trails that lead to Tonto State Forest. Three Superstition Mountain hiking trails (Dutchman's, Black Mesa and Second Water) join together to form an unexpectedly lovely hike. This is just one option. The climbing is not technical no need for ropes or rock climbing shoes. 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 . Park location and driving directions for Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction, AZ (85119). There is an aquifer-fed spring/creek to refill water, but be sure to pack plenty regardless. If you have 4WD locked and loaded and dont mind more of an uphill climb, than this path has your name all over it. 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). Beautiful scenery, a few wild bulls, a nice amount of people but not overcrowded. Its rocky, sharp and unforgiving. Give yourself plenty of time, have fun, and stay safe. I hate it when that happens. Thats how I felt during this trek. So, when we know water is squared away, we have to take advantage of it. Start early, and remember a headlamp just in case! This melting pot eventually grew into what archeologists now call the Salado culture. Lots of wet muddy spots throughout trail today. Ready for a hike? Our first comes from Aravaipa Ambassador Amber Fifield who regularly seeks out adventures in remote mountains and canyons across Arizona. If youre going to the top, plan on being out there a good five hours. Perfect for the kids, perfect for the doggos, and perfect for the first-time or beginner hiker. For $7 per vehicle, parking is available at Lost Dutchman State Park. It is more of a climb/scramble then a hike. But the worst part is that whoever made the route just drew a straight line over a cliff. Just be careful these trails can be slippery and tricky to follow. She has been published in Arizona Highways Magazine and Phoenix New Times, and has traveled overseas for her work. Eventually, you will reach a saddle, but this isnt Parker Pass. Why you should go: Conquer the toughest hike on this list. Great trail. Before you know it, youll be surrounded by the canyon walls in all their glory. Recommend that you download the map. 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