Additional info: Charlebois Spring (Via First Water trailhead). 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. Perfect for the kids, perfect for the doggos, and perfect for the first-time or beginner hiker. The trail begins across the street from the Canyon Lake Marina parking. Imagining the sunset on the evening of a full moon, and also catching the sunrise, left me speechless. Your Local Guide to Phoenix Hiking Trails. Cross-country OHV use is permitted within the boundaries of this area. You can do this the other way around, too. Looking for a fairly gentle hike just a bit of umph? Spend your evenings at the very comfortable Valley Ho Hotel, a wonderfully restored mid-century modern gem adjacent to Scottsdale’s old town. Semi-Custom Apache Trail Day Trip Including Dolly Steamboat and Superstition Mountain. Legend has it the Peralta family — originally from northern Mexico — came to these mountains in search of gold in the 1840s. If you get going early enough, you’ll be home in time for lunch! The mountains are located less than an hour’s drive away from both Phoenix and Scottsdale. Superstition Peak : SummitPost.org : Climbing, hiking, mountaineering. Parker Pass is a great option. About 3.5 miles in, a trail enters from the east — this is the turnoff. You may even catch some climbers top roping the Praying Hands rock formation. 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. There are many tales of this supposed hidden gold mine in the Superstition Mountains that have captivated people for hundreds of years. For every moment you push yourself on this hike, you’ll have another moment soaking up spectacular views. Fall is usually the best time. Why you should go: Springtime wildflowers and craggy rock formations. Just east of Phoenix, the rugged Superstition Mountains shoot nearly 6,000 feet into the sky. When looking for best Superstition Mountains hiking trails, Peralta trailhead is often at the top of the list due to its stunning views and accessibility to all abilities. But don’t let that turn you off from this hike— you will most definitely get an incredible return on your investment. Battleship mountain may be named for its resemblance to an ocean vessel, but the climb can be described as a battle of its own. Plan to start in Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction. The Superstition Mountains. You’ll get started at the Crosscut Trailhead off of First Water Road. The Treasure Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile loop hike at the west base of the Superstition Mountains. All we’re saying is, please be careful and do not attempt this on a rainy day. 11 Best Places to Go Camping Near Water in Arizona, The Best Dog-Friendly Hikes Near Phoenix, Arizona. I will say, though, that it’s not far from Charlebois Spring with a Forest Service sign next to it. Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. For travel in the Superstition Wilderness, we recommend the Superstition Wilderness, Arizona map published by Beartooth Maps of Montana.The map … She enjoys all things outdoors, resistance training, authentic Indian food, and advocating for our environment and human rights. Ironview Peak No Name Peak (2015-02-13). Everything is included exce Similar to Battleship Mountain, navigation gets a little finicky in the river bed, so watch for cairns. The slickrock surface is fun to walk (or crawl) across, and is incredibly scenic. What we now know as the Superstition Wilderness was once a series of volcanoes that collapsed to form calderas. MoapaPk - Mar 20, 2008 11:48 pm - Voted 10/10 some changes "From what I understand you can camp at Peralta Trailhead (for a fee) or you can camp at Carney Springs Trailhead for no fee." In the beginning, the towering western face of the Supes stares back at you. From LDSP, the trail begins flat and slowly starts to rise. A GREAT PLACE TO LIVE AND PLAY Superstition Mountain is a private, 24 hr guard gated golf community with over 700 homesites and custom lots situated in 17 beautifully designed neighborhoods, situated outside of Phoenix in the East Valley in the shadows of the legendary Superstition Mountains in beautiful Gold Canyon, Arizona. You’ll start down Reavis Ranch via 109 North at the Reavis Ranch trailhead. The Peralta Trail. Reviewers of this hike have claimed the navigation is like solving a hard puzzle. I don’t blame them. Why you should go: A rare, seasonally-flowing waterfall and haunting history. Note: the distance and elevation may vary dependent upon the distance you choose to travel. Eventually, you will reach a saddle, but this isn’t Parker Pass. Use this list of the best hiking trails in the Superstition Mountains to plan your next journey to what locals call the “Supes.”. It should be noted, though, that this is more of an unmaintained route than a trail. Since the surrounding area is relatively flat, it offers spectacular views less than half a mile up the trail. Members of the Apache tribe gathered and began a running fight with the Mexican miners. The trail crests a high ridge after a quarter-mile, and makes a rugged 2-mile descent into Cedar Basin. Some solid glute and quad strengthening never hurt anyone. South Mountain; Phoenix Mountains; Superstition Mountain; Papago Park; McDowell Mountains; Lookout Mountain – Summit Trail; Deem Hills; Camelback Mountain; North Mountain & Shaw Butte. Why you should go: Conquer the toughest hike on this list. Archaeologists claim the petroglyphs date back to 900 A.D when the Hohokam people inhabited the area. There is a creek, too, mind you. A GPS download and a map will come in handy. About 20 years after the attack, Jacob Waltz — now known as “The Dutchman” — caught wind of the mine’s location. But while you’re flowing, keep your eyes as peeled as possible for the cairns, or you may miss the turnoff to the summit. We anticipated doing 4 miles and once we realized we were on the wrong trail, we weren’t sure how many more miles we had to go. Territory Supply is reader-supported and may earn a commission when you book or purchase using our links. Some explorers have even faced their death in search of “The Lost Mine.” So while we don’t recommend looking for gold yourself, you are certain to find the promised land here in you’re looking for a great hike. You can simply go back the way you came, or you can tackle the Cave Trail. However, the Apache people also inhabited the area and the Peraltas’ mining activity did not go unnoticed. Ending at the convergence of the Boulder Canyon and Dutchman Trails, the Boulder Canyon trail runs 7.8 miles south of the marina at Canyon Lake. While solitude isn’t 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. For more hiking and camping ideas, check out our favorite Arizona waterfall hikes, 30 amazing Flagstaff hikes or the best camping options near water in Arizona. When in solitude, the desert speaks. An anecdote about Fish Creek is that it is a source of native fish — the Apache Trout. You won’t find the Lost Dutchman’s gold, but you will get luminous views of Weaver’s Needle, Four Peaks, Battleship Mountain and Canyon Lake. One of the hardest treks in the Supes, the Ridgeline isn’t for the meek or uninitiated. Another way to Reavis Ranch, just starting from the south instead of the north. We will spend a few hours walking through the beautiful Sonoran Desert and discussing this unique ecosystem. Once you’re at the top, the glorious views are the reward for powering through. Just be careful — these trails can be slippery and tricky to follow. Eventually, you’ll descend into the riverbed (keep in mind that during the rainy season, or during storms, there is a high chance for flooding). The Superstition Mountains is a legendary mountain range located in the East side of metro Phoenix. For one, when it’s overcast and/or raining, the desert is radiating in color and life. https://www.alltrails.com/trail/us/arizona/superstition-peak-5057--2 Formed by volcanic eruptions 30 to 15 million years ago, the Superstition Mountains are home to impressive rock walls, jagged hoodoos of rock, and narrow twisting canyons. So, let’s say you don’t want to go as far as Charlebois Springs (previous hike) and you’d like to bring the kids along, but you still want to explore the wonders of the western Supes. From AZ 88, or Apache Trail, you will eventually cross a bridge. Keep going another .7 miles to the higher pass. Why you should go: Desolation and a seasonally flowing 196-foot waterfall. Situated 50 miles east of the Phoenix, AZ metropolitan area is one of the best hiking areas within about an hours drive of a major city. The most straightforward way is to take Dutchman’s Trail (#104), but you can also get there via the Second Water Trail, which is a wonderland of waterfalls after recent rains. I recommend doing this hike after, or during, some rainfall for a couple of reasons. You swap out a sea of cactus for high desert grading into lush forest. To complete it, you’ll need some off-trail route finding skills and a shuttle car. But the toughest challenges also reap the best rewards, right? When dealing with such a hike, footing can be tricky and requires a bit of route finding in spots. Indeed, their mining expeditions reaped prosperity. This choice turned a 4-mile hike into a 9-mile one. Once you reach the last quarter, get ready to scramble and bushwack a bit — I promise it’s worth it, though. Additional info: Superstition Ridgeline Trail. This trail is perfect for day hikers, as some of the best views are within the first 3 miles! Everything else you need to know about Reavis Ranch is in the prior description—including a lay of the land, some history and pro tips! Afternoon temperatures from June to September are usually in the range of 100 to 115 °F near the mountain. Renting a cabin in Flagstaff is one of the best ways to experience Northern Arizona's draws in any season. For all the Supes veterans, give yourselves a pat on the back, because it’s rough out there. The climbing is not technical — no need for ropes or rock climbing shoes. 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