Being naked is sometimes fun. 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. The trail to the Praying Hands is less defined and more strenuous than the Treasure Loop trail. But going up siphon draw was a blast! HARD! Just when you think you have an understanding the Supes, you find another piece of territory to blow you away. Getting there: From. Wear hiking books. Keep your eyes peeled during your visit, and you may even catch sight of a picturesque bighorn sheep perched atop the canyon! But so worth it. 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 upper Hieroglyphics trail is scree and slippery dirt. The summer months are not the ideal time to hike in these places but you will be just fine visiting. This might deem a good turn around point for some, or you can keep on trekking. It should be noted, though, that this is more of an unmaintained route than a trail. At Gold Canyon, resort packages of all kinds are available to meet any kind of needs, including plenty of golf. Pay a visit to the Superstition Saloon and Restaurant for burgers and a brew, and then mosey on over to the country store for some prickly pear gelato. A passenger car can get you to the trailhead, but stay focused and use care. Trail conditions vary from fair to very poor. The savviest of hikers will make this a loop. Hiking is fun. Cool, sunny, and very windy. Very busy trail! 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. Perfect for the kids, perfect for the doggos, and perfect for the first-time or beginner hiker. Lovely area. Before you know it, youll be surrounded by the canyon walls in all their glory. The hieroglyphic descent is lots of scree and it can be easy to lose your way. Located along the southern rim, Superstition Loop allows 4x4 users to enjoy the towering peaks while driving along an easy off-road trail. With lower congestion than some of the shorter, easier hikes in the area, you can get a quiet experience in this beautiful desert landscape. Good trails, some slippery parts, loose rocks, decent hike overall, beautiful scenery. Did this hike yesterday (2/6/22). 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. Just 15 miles up the trail from Apache Junction, the lake offers scenic red canyons surrounding bright waters, inviting you to boat, ski, fish, or just take it all in. The trail takes you through Garden Valley, past Hackberry Spring, then along First Water Creek before winding its way back to the trailhead. This hike is located near Apache Junction, AZ. 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. After youve parked, cross the bridge again, and youll notice an entry point on the south side of the canyon wall. Worth a trip! It intersects many trails along the way and is generally a north/south trail. This trail, in particular, keeps me humbled and healed. A little bit of up and down, but not much total elevation change. 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. This hike is reserved for the most experienced hikers physically and navigationally speaking. Picture Information. The views up top are incredible, but dont sleep on the traverse through Siphon Draw. If Flatiron isnt enough for you, weve got you covered with this hike. Is the Dutchmans Lost Gold Mine real? Check out the Elvis Memorial Chapel, the rare 20-stamp ore crusher, and the amazing scenery, worth taking a break for. To Young. You swap out a sea of cactus for high desert grading into lush forest. The route is very clearly marked with signage throughout. I thought we were lost lol. 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 This stop on the Apache gives you a breath of a fresh air in a wide open and beautiful area. Pools on the hieroglyphics trail were pretty but that stretch of the trail is super crowded! Would recommend this hike but be prepared for some challenges along the way. You won't too much solitude on this hike. It starts at Rogers Trough Trailhead, and a high clearance with 4WD is recommended to get back here, especially after a good rain. Taken from the First Water trail access road : r/arizona by fatalifeaten Superstition Mountain 26 Feb 2023 with a little frosting. If not, theres some nearby shade. Lots of wet muddy spots throughout trail today. This is a nice introductory hike to the Superstition mountain wilderness area. There is a creek, too, mind you. If youre going to the top, plan on being out there a good five hours. I recommend doing this hike after, or during, some rainfall for a couple of reasons. This trail has a magnetic pull because of the cave at the end, so I recommend the early start if you want to avoid the masses. Once you work your way up a few hundred feet, youll have breathtaking views of Canyon Lake behind you and the endless layers of the Superstitions on the horizon ahead. No snakes this time. Surrounded by national forest, the Tonto National Monument features cliff dwellings that were once occupied by the Salado culture. If you ever have company from out-of-state, this hike will give them the perfect dose of the desert. Great views after the fog cleared. However, they said it was the last time they would allow me to pick the trail. Although it can be quite crowded on the weekends during the peak season,the views from the saddleare absolutely worth it. What happened to the Salado people, and their rich culture that filled the mountains for centuries before they disappeared? The Treasure Loop Trail #56 starts from the Saguaro day use area. From Ma Ha Tauk Trail, turn left to proceed to Crosscut Trail. Always remember that you should try to stay left when possible going up as it is the often the route with less exposure. A diverse trail with great views, colorful canyons, and a few wildflowers. Very busy, but fun and just the right amount of challenge. Follow trails that reveal mighty mountaintops. Distance: 0.5 mi Elevation Change: 220 ft. Ma Ha Tauk Trail Difficulty: Difficult A long, through trail from the First Water trailhead to the Peralta trailhead. Live out history for yourself in Goldfield Ghost Town. This hike offersspectacular scenery andmoderate difficulty for a great day hike option during the fall, winter, and spring months. To start this trek, youll park at First Water trailhead. As one of Arizona's most rugged ranges, the Superstitions offer tons of hiking from from Class 2 all the way up to technical rock climbing. In the beginning, the towering western face of the Supes stares back at you. Just east of Phoenix, the rugged Superstition Mountains shoot nearly 6,000 feet into the sky. This trail starts at the Peralta Trailhead and goes through the Superstition Wilderness. Wander among iconic landscapes beneath picture-perfect skies. Sign up for our free email to join thousands of readers getting epic travel, hiking, camping and gear ideas every week. Its not scorching and the apples are in season. 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. Superstition Mountain itself is the anchor to this strangely beautiful, historically rich wilderness area. I suggest doing this trail as one-way, and youll need to hike up the Peralta Trail before giving it a whirl. Conditions were cool & dry. Preview trail Backpacking Hiking Views No shade Conditions Loreah Winlow Treasure Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile loop hike at the west base of the Superstition Mountains. Ready to get out there? Some solid glute and quad strengthening never hurt anyone. I watched so many people slipping and falling in their tennis shoes. Depending on how long youd like to stay, or what youd like to see there are numerous route and side trip options. 3. The elevation gain is also gradual. Could have done without them, but needed the miles for R3 training. There are many spots where you can see both east (towards Four Peaks and Superstition Wilderness) and west (towards Phoenix) and its moments like those that remind you why you're about to hike 20+ miles. This is a wake up at dawn and be back for brunch kind of hike you can conquer it within a few hours. The mileage on AllTrails is completely incorrect though the route was around 15.7 miles for me. About 20 years after the attack, Jacob Waltz now known as The Dutchman caught wind of the mines location. As I was climbing up the flattened rock area. The Peralta trail is a popular way to get to Freemont saddle and a great view of Weaver's Needle. In case you want to crank up the heat while youre out there, there are several trails that shoot off from the loop trail and up toward the base of the mountains. 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. One of the most popular hikes in the Superstitions begins at the Peralta Trailhead and climbs roughly 1,300 feet to Fremont Saddle. This is a family friendly hike. Got there around 830 or 9 on a friday, there were a few people when we started, not too bad though. We found hiking off the Apache trail (highway) more interesting. Very muddy and the creek is higher than expected with recent rains. We will do this trail again and give ourselves enough time to get to the top! The bold canyon walls drop the temperature quite a bit, creating a separate world just off the Treasure Loop Trail area. It is more of a climb/scramble then a hike. But either way, around every corner is a different piece of the landscape waiting to be unveiled. After a rain, the wildflowers quickly overrun this area and add color rarely seen by the desert. The trail is well defined and every trail junction is well signed. Why you should go: An old windmill, an abandoned corral, an oasis in the desert! Scrambling, scree, and beautiful fields of saguaro cactus! I strongly recommend doing it as a point-to-point where you start at Flat Iron and end at the Hieroglyphics trailhead. The trail up to the ridge is a great scramble, the ridge views are amazing and hopping down flat iron is grade A fun! This creek bed turns into the trail going south. Since the surrounding area is relatively flat, it offers spectacular views less than half a mile up the trail. An anecdote about Fish Creek is that it is a source of native fish the Apache Trout. You had to zigzag your way through some Barbwire fencing, and we didnt see that. Covering Phoenix, Mesa, Glendale, Scottsdale, Gilbert, the valley . This 160,000-acre wilderness area contains over 170 miles of trails traversing the Sonoran Desert. For travel in the Superstition Wilderness, we recommend the Superstition Wilderness, Arizona map published by Beartooth Maps of Montana.The map is . Youll begin this hike from the Peralta trailhead, and start down the Bluff Springs Trail (bear right). I had excellent hiking shoes and did not slip even one time. Here, you have the chance to tour the authentic gold mine and the town that once boomed before it sadly died out when the mine dried up. However, the Apache people also inhabited the area and the Peraltas mining activity did not go unnoticed. Best hiked during cooler weather after some rain. Challenge yourself if youre up to it. Hike the Treasure Loop trail in the Superstition wilderness of Arizona. It's a spectacular hike with stunning views, and the ridgeline is always tons of fun with very few people once you get away from Flat Iron. Start early, and remember a headlamp just in case! Take the time to "slow down and smell the sagebrush" as you and your horse mosey along the trail. There was a sign there that said no day parking but we didnt get a ticket. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. Note: the distance and elevation may vary dependent upon the distance you choose to travel. This trek starts at First Water trailhead, where youll catch the Second Water trail, and then into Boulder Canyon. Download the AllTrails map and follow the cairns. Park location and driving directions for Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction, AZ (85119). Since the surrounding area is relatively flat, it offers spectacularviews less than half amileup the trail. When he died, he took the location of the mine to his grave. Navigating less maintained sections of the trail definitely slows you down. 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. Also, the last 7 or so miles is not worth doing, as it is merely a connection between the Hieroglyphics Trail and the Flat Iron/Siphon Draw trailhead. Our favorite hikes include everything from family-friendly trails to challenging summit attempts, offering a scenic feast of high-altitude lakes, waterfalls, and of course, spectacular views of the Rocky Mountains. But the toughest challenges also reap the best rewards, right? Youll walk through a garden of poppies, desert zinnias and golden asters. 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 climbing is not technical no need for ropes or rock climbing shoes. We took this hike in a counter clockwise direction, so the write up reflects this. When we left around 11 there was a line of cars waiting to park. Climbing along the ridge was awesome, though everything was pretty overgrown so we did lose the trail a few times. Fall is usually the best time. The AllTrails map helped a lot, and there was service most of time. $2,495. Tons off cactus needles in me. Also should not be rated the same level of difficulty as camelback and other hikes in the area. Make the right turn, plan it after a recent rain, and youll experience some of the finest pools and pour-offs in the Supes. There is an aquifer-fed spring/creek to refill water, but be sure to pack plenty regardless. Regardless of the potential challenges, the Cave Trail is a crowd-pleaser. It was not clearly marked. Reward yourself afterward. Why you should go: To appreciate the sound of running water. Additional info: Charlebois Spring (Via First Water trailhead). This is the source for everything you need to know about Arizona Hiking. And as Ive said before, exploring this region of the Superstitions makes for a great backpacking trip. Hat and sunscreen are a must. Learn more about our editorial policies here. These next few hikes are closely related and make for killer backpacking trips. You'll find the first half paved and the second half made of dirt roads. I did this at the beginning of Feb and it was a lovely and challenging day hike!! 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. But these trips also present a challenge because the region has areas where water is seldom found. Enjoy this 19.2-mile loop trail near Apache Junction, Arizona. Its about more than standing on the mountain top. 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 . Adventure into the mountain via horseback, or join a guided tour of the history of women and their roles in the 1800s. We did this as 7.1 miles and took approximately 6 hrs. 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. MaybeCat PeaksTrailin the nearby Usery Mountains is right for you. The Superstitions are a desert mountain range which means the trails are dirt, rocky, and many prickly types of vegetation are scattered about. There is a GPS - gpx track at the bottom of the page. This trail does get you closer to the unique spire formations of the Praying Hands. 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