With gorgeous views and hospitable staff ready to make your day, Gold Canyon is a great getaway you won't find anywhere else. Only about 4,000 elevation gain because we didnt do the final peak. Reviewers of this hike have claimed the navigation is like solving a hard puzzle. Everything else you need to know about Reavis Ranch is in the prior descriptionincluding a lay of the land, some history and pro tips! This hike is located near Apache Junction, AZ. Youll be fine! We did this as 7.1 miles and took approximately 6 hrs. Some solid glute and quad strengthening never hurt anyone. Do it! Youll still get a good 11+ miles in. Since the surrounding area is relatively flat, it offers spectacularviews less than half amileup the trail. To Young. Totally worth it. A nice walk, certainly not challenging. This is another great hike for families, pups and beginner hikers. A four mile mountain bike loop trail has opened at the park - this is a great way to enjoy the park's beauty while experiencing the famed Superstition Mountains! Dont worry, you are still going the right way to the trail head. I had excellent hiking shoes and did not slip even one time. 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. I am in fairly good shape and I was winded nearly the entire time from the midpoint all the way to the top . Great short hike. Turn right on Hwy. The route is very clearly marked with signage throughout. At Gold Canyon, resort packages of all kinds are available to meet any kind of needs, including plenty of golf. 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. Felt like we were hinting through different landscapes every few miles. Lovely area. In late February through March, this is one of the best wildflower trails you're likely to come across (dependent on winter rains). Folks from other States might assume that water is impossibly hard to find in Arizona, especially in the Sonoran Desert, and let alone the Superstition Wilderness. Ready to get out there? It eventually meets a well maintained trail. . I tracked my hike on Garmin, not AllTrails, so my map and stats dont show on here. When is the Best Time to Visit Zion National Park? Great trail! I would highly highly recommend wearing proper footwear for this. A bit of trail navigation may be necessary. To complete it, youll need some off-trail route finding skills and a shuttle car. TheFlatiron Trailis not for the faint of heart. The hike runs parallel to the Superstition Mountains for a while, then starts to lose elevation. The Wave was cool to see. Prepare to get wet. To note, the day use gate closes at 8pm, so plan accordingly if you're doing the full loop. This trail is great for backpacking and hiking, and it's unlikely you'll encounter many other people while exploring. Additional info: Fish Creek (via Apache Trail). We promise not to annoy you, but if you wish, you may unsubscribe at any time. But going up siphon draw was a blast! Why you should go: Short climb to a seasonal pool and Hohokam petroglyphs. If not, theres some nearby shade. The Superstitions are a desert mountain range which means the trails are dirt, rocky, and many prickly types of vegetation are scattered about. The Superstition Wilderness is known as a hiding place for secrets. 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. 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). This 20 mile out and back trail with an elevation gain of 2,749 feet takes you to a unique destination: An apple orchid in an old Ranch site. Views are spectacular, start early like 4:30am or do a 2 day. No one really knows the source of the carvings, but its still a magnificent piece of history and a memory to take home. So, when we know water is squared away, we have to take advantage of it. Regardless of the potential challenges, the Cave Trail is a crowd-pleaser. Why you should go: Sip fresh spring water and enjoy some petroglyphs. Related Read:12 Best Hikes in Arizona, From Desert to Tundra. Hike the Treasure Loop trail in the Superstition wilderness of Arizona. The view was incredible and it was not busy at all because we went on a Wednesday afternoon. Our only option was to just keep hiking, and eventually we wound up back at the car. 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. The map is a straight line. 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. It can be as straightforward or as sporadic as you want. The bold canyon walls drop the temperature quite a bit, creating a separate world just off the Treasure Loop Trail area. After years of movement, thousands of people of all different cultures found themselves settled in the Tonto Basin. Hard on the knees coming down. With lower congestion than some of the shorter, easier hikes in the area, you can get a quiet experience in this beautiful desert landscape. Without further ado, our favorite hikes in the Superstitions. The off-trail aspect gives this one an especially adventurous flavor. Eventually, you will settle into a canyon and this where all the fun begins. Very busy trail! Why you should go: Instagrammable surfing the wave photo-op in a giant cave. At the southwest end of the foothills of the mountains, the Superstition Mountain Museum offers exhibits that educate folks about the rich history of Arizona, starting with the story of the Apaches. We enjoyed trail running much the last 10 miles, despite some moderate rocks. A big one, too. We went down it at night because the hike took us about 12 hours, and it wasn't tons of fun with head lamps. I did this at the beginning of Feb and it was a lovely and challenging day hike!! 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. site is used. Similar to Battleship Mountain, navigation gets a little finicky in the river bed, so watch for cairns. 755 S Colonial St, Gilbert, AZ 85296. Superstition Mountains Area, Mesa, Arizona. From paleontology and archeology to anthropology and geology, along with plenty of activity for the kids, this museum has got you covered. Several trails lead from the park into the Superstition Mountain Wilderness and surrounding Tonto National Forest. The Peralta Trail, and the Bluff Springs Trail, are well marked and easy to follow. You can learn more about our editorial policies here. 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. This is a nice introductory hike to the Superstition mountain wilderness area. 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. Trail conditions vary from fair to very poor. Barriers have been placed at any confluences to ensure introduced fish do not hybridize with this native species. An anecdote about Fish Creek is that it is a source of native fish the Apache Trout. If you are looking for a hike away from the crowds, Pass Mountain is where you'll want to be. I . We clocked 12 miles without the 9 mile flat area, had someone pick us up at Hieroglyphics lot, so the trail is a little longer than what it says here. Stay hydrated, and camp during the fall, spring, or winter. Navigating less maintained sections of the trail definitely slows you down. Far from your average vacation or weekend getaway, Apache Trail may have had its travel challenges way back when, but is now a welcoming slew of fun points around every turn, ready to be discovered. Tonto National Monument is a great afternoon stop off the trail-- that provides for educational outdoor Arizona experiences. Followed the stream for the first half of the hike. No HOA. Its about protecting what sustains us. Although it can be quite crowded on the weekends during the peak season,the views from the saddleare absolutely worth it. Luckily there were a bunch of cars parked off to the left, by some rope, and that was how we knew where the start of the trail head was. There is a GPS - gpx track at the bottom of the page. Gateway Loop Trail is equestrian and dog friendly. It is flat and boring. 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. You have to walk along houses at the end which is a bummer. Youre scrambling over boulders and fighting through cat claw. Updated February 09, 2023. Rainfall will get it going, but its mostly dependent on snowfall melting from the nearby high peaks. Add another 0.6 miles if you take the spur trail to the Praying Hands formation. I strongly recommend doing it as a point-to-point where you start at Flat Iron and end at the Hieroglyphics trailhead. When he died, he took the location of the mine to his grave. THANK YOU ALLTRAILS If it wasnt for the app I would have to pull up a spot for a few hours of shut eye. Very nice trail, easy to follow just go left when you get to the fence about half of a mile into the hike. Was busy the day we visited and parking was a challenge. Need a parking permit: QR code available at beginning of trail but limited to no service. Incredible hike with amazing views and fun scrambles. Just a stone's throw from the Phoenix metro area, these trails give hikers a sense of solitude in a relatively remote setting. Also, I had no idea that Peralta Road turned into a dirt road. Underneath the bridge is Fish Creek. 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. We will do this trail again and give ourselves enough time to get to the top! We've got hundreds of well documented Arizona hikes. Loreah Winlow Treasure Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile loop hike at the west base of the Superstition Mountains. The slick rock can be a bit tricky even when it's dry. Its about nourishment and learning. Why you should go: A potpourri of Superstition grandeur. No matter your ability, the Superstition Wilderness has a day hike for you! Thats the cave! Once youre at the top, the glorious views are the reward for powering through. 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. There are some cairns and its nearly impossible to get lost, but we are going to leave it up to our pals over at HikeArizona to do the navigation honors. Why you should go: In just four miles, you get some of the Supes sweetest sights. This event took place on what is now known as Massacre Grounds. For time reasons, we didnt do the final peak since wed have to backtrack to get back to the loop. The trail through Peralta Canyon is a popular Class 1 affair, but the less-used and more rugged Cave Trail involves a bit of scrambling, really more like clambering, if one follows the . The trail is well defined and every trail junction is well signed. If you only have the afternoon, spend time hiking and biking through the rugged trails that lead to Tonto State Forest. Here's how to make 'em work together. 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. Great trail. Pretty creek crossings and ethereal area views dot the path. Add 11:38 to my time and .75 miles to my distance for the stretch where I accidentally stopped the app. You will take the same approach as Charlebois, i.e. Each season brings a different view of Zion. Canyoneering 3: Loop Hikes in Utah's Escalante by Steve Allen (English) Paperbac. Wear hiking books. If Flatiron isnt enough for you, weve got you covered with this hike. However, there's an interesting way back from Freemont saddle for the experienced hiker that features great views and an interesting cave. About Lost Dutchman State Park. A passenger car can get you to the trailhead, but stay focused and use care. 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. Look for the hieroglyphs on the left. I dont blame them. According to the legend, Waltz and his partner successfully extracted gold and supposedly hid a stash somewhere in the Superstition Mountains. But the toughest challenges also reap the best rewards, right? Try this one out. The trail winds its way through the desert landscape with an unobstructed view of the mountains and has some wonderful campsites to pitch a tent for a night or even more. It is agreat place to escape in the Superstition Wilderness! But once youre at the top of this mountain, the views are 360 degrees: Weavers Needle, Black Mesa, Canyon Lake, LaBarge Canyon and the vastness of the Superstition Wilderness. Its short length, soaring rock formations and excellent views make it an awesome day hike for grown ups and kiddos alike. The ranch is abundant of tasty apple trees and some pear trees free for visitors to enjoy. 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. Pools on the hieroglyphics trail were pretty but that stretch of the trail is super crowded! The trail to the Praying Hands is less defined and more strenuous than the Treasure Loop trail. 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. There are any number of trips you can design to fit your time and skill level. The trail crests a high ridge after a quarter-mile, and makes a rugged 2-mile descent into Cedar Basin. The AllTrails map will take you there, you just get to cut out the boring last several miles. No snakes this time. Whether you come for a weekend or stay for the week, Sedona and the surrounding area boast some great camping opportunities. Here are some pro tips for this backpacking trek: Additional info: Reavis Ranch Via 109 North. It may even inspire you to take in as much history as possible and find some answers during your trip along the trail. 1. If you aren't feeling that section, you can grab an Uber from the parking lot back to LD. If you bring your pet, don't leave them in the heat! 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! This was longer then 5.5 miles. This is a family friendly hike. It was a rapid incline the rest of the way to the top of Siphon Draw. For all the Arizona waterfall lovers, this ones for you. guide, Start a 7-Day Free Trial of All-Access Membership, 11 community trail reviews with the 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. What happened to the Salado people, and their rich culture that filled the mountains for centuries before they disappeared? Crowds of people climbing all over the glyphs today, really sad to see thousands of years of history ruined like that. Or, you can park at the Crosscut Trailhead for free, but youll add 2.6 additional miles roundtrip. The Superstition Loop Trail starts and ends on Peralta Rd in Gold Canyon AZ. Fish Creek isnt much of a trail and there is no real destination point, which, in my opinion, is a positive aspect. However, in the beginning, my friends and I had no idea what we were in for. View 10291 E Rimrock Loop, Gold Canyon, AZ 85118 property records for FREE including property ownership, deeds, mortgages, titles & sales history, current & historic tax assessments, legal, parcel & structure description, land use, zoning & more. Superstition Mountain 26 Feb 2023 with a little frosting. But when the timing is right almost any given winter or early spring day the Supes satisfy nearly any craving for adventure and solitude. This is possibly the most popular hike in the Superstitions, and for good reason. Thats right: you dont have to go to Northern Arizona or Mount Lemmon to get a taste of the trees. Parking permit: QR code available at beginning of trail but limited to no service marked signage! Wilderness is known as Massacre Grounds doing the full Loop along houses at the west base of the.! I had no idea that Peralta Road turned into a dirt Road my time skill... About 4,000 elevation gain because we went on a Wednesday afternoon mine to his.. 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