Fall is usually the best time. We've got hundreds of well documented Arizona hikes. I enjoyed the hike. We hike regularly and are fit. The payoff at the end was okay. The trail up to the ridge is a great scramble, the ridge views are amazing and hopping down flat iron is grade A fun! I started near hieroglyphics instead. Just past the springs, there are also some pools of water, and camping spots are scattered at the base of Charlebois Canyon. When he died, he took the location of the mine to his grave. Tonto National Monument is a great afternoon stop off the trail-- that provides for educational outdoor Arizona experiences. I was fine because I hydrated in advance and it was a cool day, but definitely recommend bringing plenty with you to prevent running out. Check out the Elvis Memorial Chapel, the rare 20-stamp ore crusher, and the amazing scenery, worth taking a break for. This was an epic, long hike that I thoroughly enjoyed. 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. ALLTRAILS and the AllTrails Mountain Design are registered trademarks of AllTrails, LLC in the United States as well as certain other jurisdictions. 11 Best Places to Go Camping Near Water in Arizona, The Best Dog-Friendly Hikes Near Phoenix, Arizona. Woodbury Trail 114. This is also the point in which fear of heights might kick in, but you can do it. The existing Apache Trail in Arizona is a 120 mile circle route through the Superstition Mountains. In 1905, the trail was officially designated as an aid for the construction of the Theodore Roosevelt Dam, with Apache Junction at one end, and Theodore Roosevelt Lake at the other. It was breathtaking from the very beginning. In late February through March, this is one of the best wildflower trails you're likely to come across (dependent on winter rains). Youll walk through a garden of poppies, desert zinnias and golden asters. However, most of this trail is exposed until then, so its not a great idea in the summer heat. Ran out with 6 miles to go. The beauty of this hike is that it wont take a full day, in case you have a busy schedule. 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 trail crests a high ridge after a quarter-mile, and makes a rugged 2-mile descent into Cedar Basin. To Young. A great half day adventure,Pass Mountain Trailis the longest hike in the park at 7.5 miles with approximately 710 feetof elevation gain. From the Peralta trailhead, head right toward Bluff Springs (to the left is the Peralta Trail, which is described at #5 on this list). And there is nary a crowd to be found. We took this hike in a counter clockwise direction, so the write up reflects this. You will cross First Water Creek several times, so if you are doing this hike during the rainy season, heres your chance to take pleasure in some fresh water. We did this as 7.1 miles and took approximately 6 hrs. Conditions were cool & dry. Its about nourishment and learning. The spa offers everything from luxurious detox pedicures to deep tissue massages. This trail, in particular, keeps me humbled and healed. Additional info: Superstition Ridgeline Trail. MaybeCat PeaksTrailin the nearby Usery Mountains is right for you. Reward yourself afterward. The backpack routes listed all have secured water sources because finding water in the desert, let alone in the Supes, is not impossible but adds a whole new element to the adventure. Why you should go: Fresh apple picking and a refreshing pine forest. If it's a little to hot for an open air hike, meander intoSiphon Draw Trail! The Hiker's Guide to the Superstition Wildernessdescribes this as a "day hike" of about 6.5 hours in length. But, its also humbling. This hike offersspectacular scenery andmoderate difficulty for a great day hike option during the fall, winter, and spring months. A bit of trail navigation may be necessary. Summer days may offer unforgiving heat or violent thunderstorms. If you get going early enough, youll be home in time for lunch! Note: the distance and elevation may vary dependent upon the distance you choose to travel. Taken from the First Water trail access road : r/arizona by fatalifeaten Superstition Mountain 26 Feb 2023 with a little frosting. Make no mistake, its a tough climb and, had I gone further, it would have only got tougher! Don't let that discourage you, though! The Treasure Loop Hiking Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Lost Dutchman State Park. The first three-quarters of this hike is relatively flat. This trail starts at the Peralta Trailhead and goes through the Superstition Wilderness. DON'T CLIMB ON OR TOUCH THE HEIROGRLYPHS!! All were saying is, please be careful and do not attempt this on a rainy day. 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. 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. 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. Learn More . Getting to Fish Creek is pretty easy, too. This was an awesome hike that took us about 2.5 hour because we missed the trail leading into the wave cave area. Here's where the best summer memories often begin. It was definitely an adventure for the books. Elevation: 1,940-2,420 feet (878 feet of accumulated elevation change). At Gold Canyon, resort packages of all kinds are available to meet any kind of needs, including plenty of golf. Day hikes can turn into backpacking trips, and vice versa. Theres something about excursions with running water, like Fish Creek, that feel like home in our most natural state. 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. Follow white arrows. With incredible landmarks such asWeaver's Needle, years of fascinating history abouthidden treasure, lost mines, death, and new development,this area has attracted visitors from all over the worldfor centuries. But so worth it. I only went a couple of miles in, but I loved it. There were also a few muddy spots . Much easier. 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. Beautiful scenery, a few wild bulls, a nice amount of people but not overcrowded. Would recommend bringing climbing gloves if you dont want to rough up your hands. Eventually, you will reach a saddle, but this isnt Parker Pass. Just east of Phoenix, the rugged Superstition Mountains shoot nearly 6,000 feet into the sky. If you're feeling up for it, continue up through the draw to Flatiron Trail to get some incredible views. Slightly more difficult but even better 360 degree views! by Bri Cossavella An easy to moderate day hike, Treasure Loop is a must-do for all outdoor enthusiasts. So, lets say you dont want to go as far as Charlebois Springs (previous hike) and youd like to bring the kids along, but you still want to explore the wonders of the western Supes. Hitting the road from Dallas to Houston, or vice versa? 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. You will take the same approach as Charlebois, i.e. $2,495. Felt like we were hinting through different landscapes every few miles. 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. An easy to moderate day-hike, Treasure Loop is a must-do for all outdoor enthusiasts. Great trail. Why you should go: Get a dose of cave therapy. The descent from the pass is brutal on the legs but passes pretty quickly. This is the source for everything you need to know about Arizona Hiking. Why you should go: Desolation and a seasonally flowing 196-foot waterfall. Hogs & Dogs Days begin at 11:00 a.m. and continues until 2:00 pm. This trek starts at First Water trailhead, where youll catch the Second Water trail, and then into Boulder Canyon. No one really knows the source of the carvings, but its still a magnificent piece of history and a memory to take home. You have to walk along houses at the end which is a bummer. Do it! Very gradual with a Little Rock scramble at the top. First time doing it, and loved every minute of it. Why you should go: Rainy-day cascades in Siphon Draw and impressive views atop Flatiron. Starting at the Pass Mountain Trailhead, head east on the trail for 0.6 miles, then follow the Cat Peaks junction right. Followed the stream for the first half of the hike. Maps are supplied at the trailhead, making wayfinding a . Decades later, Jacob Waltz, aka "the Dutchman," was said to have found the mine, and hid gold in the Superstitions. 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. It's a bit anticlimactic but you get out of that section pretty quickly. 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. One of four lakes created by Salt River dams (the others are Roosevelt Lake, Apache Lake and Saguaro Lake), Canyon Lake is the most strikingly beautiful of the quad. Follow trails that reveal mighty mountaintops. Do recommend. However, for accuracy sake there are dozens of maintained trails in the Sups longer than the Pass Mountain loop, which along with Cat's Peak, is actually in Usery Park. Outdoor Project may earn commission on products purchased through our links, which supports the work we do for our readers. It is full of history and tales of gold, as well as 100-year-old saguaro cacti, vista views, and wildlife. Our first comes from Aravaipa Ambassador Amber Fifield who regularly seeks out adventures in remote mountains and canyons across Arizona. Superstition Trail Rides 4.5 5 Horseback Riding Tours This location was reported permanently closed Visit website Call Email Write a review About Whoa partner! These mountains take on a different life force once the sun goes down, and its worth it to feel it for yourself. However, its also steeper. Updated February 09, 2023. But still worth the hike! Best hiked during cooler weather after some rain. Could have done without them, but needed the miles for R3 training. But after a few miles of uphill hiking, youll find yourself walking amongst the trees. Our only option was to just keep hiking, and eventually we wound up back at the car. We found hiking off the Apache trail (highway) more interesting. 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. There is a creek, too, mind you. 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. Once we found it, there were several spray-painted white arrows on rocks to show the way. Prepare to get wet. A passenger car can get you to the trailhead, but stay focused and use care. After some fun on the water, take a break at Lakeside Restaurant & Cantina at the marina for casual food with great scenery. Once you reach the last quarter, get ready to scramble and bushwack a bit I promise its worth it, though. The Apache Trail is a 40-mile circular route right through the Superstition Mountains. Youll be fine! Barriers have been placed at any confluences to ensure introduced fish do not hybridize with this native species. The rugged peaks can be seen from miles away, seeming to invite outdoor enthusiasts to explore its many hidden canyons.