Quick tips for hiking Massacre Grounds Trail to the waterfall. It all depends on how deep you plan on exploring. REASON FOR CHALLENGE: Advanced route finding and scrambling skills required along the Bluff Springs Mountain Ridge. 6. To help familiarize you with the Superstition Mountains, I created the map above. For more information on the history and legends of the Superstition Mountains, visit theSuperstition Mountain Museum. Id love to return and sleep under the stars here! 2h 44m. With its dramatic landscape, beautiful wildflowers, and abundant wildlife, Superstition Mountain is truly an amazing place to explore. Be aware of the terrain and potential danger. Depending on the time of year, temperatures can range from mild to extreme. Your glutes will burn, you breathing will grow heavy, and you may begin to question why you wanted to do this hike in the first place. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously. Gila monsters, coyote, ring tail cats, bobcats, hawks, and a variety of lizards are the most often spotted animals. Hiking The Superstition Wilderness. The road offers several pull-off points where you can stop and take in the beauty of the Superstition Mountains. Whether youre an experienced hiker or just looking for a weekend getaway, Superstition Mountain offers something for everyone. One of the most popular hikes in the Superstitions begins at the Peralta Trailhead and climbs roughly 1,300 feet to Fremont Saddle. But when it does snow or rain youll want to be ready to rush on over to Massacre Falls and catch the waterfall in action. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. No matter which trail you choose to explore at Superstition Mountain, it is important to be prepared. Garden Valley, on the western edge of the 160,200-acre Superstition Wilderness east of Phoenix, is one of those places that sears vivid images into the memories of those who trek through it. The rugged terrain through this mountain range is not to be underestimated. Lost Dutchman State Park is home to, I recommend booking a couple of nights at the Lost Dutchman State Park cabins or camping lots. So grab your gear and get ready to tackle this rugged and rewarding mountain, and discover why so many people come back to Superstition Mountain time and time again. If there was a recent monsoon youll be spoiled with a mini waterfall and some pools of water here too. While the name has hieroglyphic in it, what you actually will see are petroglyphs carved into the rocks from thousands of years ago. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc. Thanks for reading everyone. Richard . So, a mountain hike to a cave is a pretty cool hike to do in Arizona. This historic site has reminders of the old west with grave sites, native ruins, and farming equipment along the way, making the Reavis Ranch trail one of the best well-rounded hikes in the Superstitions. Perhaps, someday I will get to visit them also. Black Top Mesa received its name because of the black basalt lava rocks that reveal themselves at the top. The magnificent mountain range offers our members and those in the Phoenix-area incredible hiking and unparalleled views of the local desert surroundings. Whether youre looking for a scenic drive or a hike to some of the best vistas in the area, these spots are sure to give you a memorable experience. Elevation: 1,940-2,420 feet (878 feet of accumulated elevation change). For more experienced hikers, try the Siphon Draw Trail. A lot of the parking for these trails are limited and they fill up fast. The terrain is rocky and can be slippery in some areas. The helicopters are for tours and to look for injured or lost hikers. Even if youre not able to time it right for the waterfall, this trail is beautiful during spring bloom! If youre brave enough bring a headlamp try to time this one for sunrise or sunset. What is the best view ofSuperstition Mountains? 2. Experts believe the Superstition Mountains were formed more than 18 million years ago by volcanic activity. Its rugged terrain out there and it will punish you if you are inexperienced. 4 Best Hikes in the Superstition Mountains. A hiker . 2009-2022 Fit For Trips . The summer months are not the ideal time to hike in these places but you will be just fine visiting. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary". backpacking traininghiking fitness training, michael young beautiful sunsets & city lights in the evenings. Hiking in the Superstition Mountains is best enjoyed during the months of November - April. From then on, I highly advise to not attempt making them climb up the base of the mountain and down the spine. Arizona has been a long-time winter destination for snowbirds descending to the Valley of the Sun to escape the cold. The Hieroglyphic Trail provides a chance to witness a piece of Arizonas history! The Peralta Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the Superstition Mountains, especially in the springtime, when goldpoppies add a splash of color to the rugged landscape of boulders, saguaros and paloverdes. If this were true, it would substantiate the allegation. Once there, we unpack, set up camp, and scavenge wood for our campfire. It's also a popular stop along the Apache Trail, one of the most scenic drives in the state. Youll climb all of the elevation at once to reach the entrance but it isnt anything to strenuous and no scrambling is involved. We hike from Second Water back to Peralta trailhead. Stay on the marked trails and avoid taking shortcuts. You will see Hoodoo rock formations, a slick rock basin with possible waterfall, which provides a great workout and awesome photography. Flat Iron is one of the "must do" hikes to establish your "clout" in the hiking community. Each location icon marks the destination (if available). Hieroglyphic TrailBeginning at the end of a residential street north of Gold Canyon, this 1.5-mile path leads up Hieroglyphic Canyon to a group of petroglyphs beside some seasonal pools. Elevation Gain- 1000 feet (305 meters) Trail Type- Loop. The elevation is also mostly below 5,000 feet, so altitude sickness is not an issue. Superstition Mountain Apache Junction AZ. Although treasure hunters still comb the wilderness looking for the Lost Dutchman's gold mine, most visitors come to hike or mountain bike the park's trails, camp at the base of the Superstition Mountains and photograph wildflowers in the spring. Hiking the Superstition Mountains in Arizona for a few hours, a day or via a multi-day backpacking trip is a great way to experience the beauty of the landscape for locals and visitors alike. Flatiron is a popular day hike in the Superstitions. Of all the Superstition Mountains hiking trails, Flat Iron can be the most demanding in the shortest distance, but also the most rewarding. All Rights Reserved, All Superstition Mountain listings on Realtor.com, one of the 11 most beautiful hikes in the world. The highlight of the hike is at the top of the ridge known as Flat Iron, offering views of the rest of the mountain range, local desert and on clear days, views of Mesa, Tempe and Phoenix. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies. If youre new to the desert and this wilderness, Id suggest starting with a beginner trail or one of the shorter trails such as Wave Cave. The trail is relatively easy and offers some of the best views of the area. . Wake up to DRAMATIC views of the Superstition & the Goldfield mountains SUPERIOR LOCATION: Just 5 minutes from the 202 freeway & numerous shopping opportunities. Your email address will not be published. Read the full trail guide: How to find Broadway Cave in the Superstition Mountains, AZ, Distance | 5.6 miles RTDifficulty | ModerateTrailhead | Massacre Grounds TrailheadPermit | NoneDog Friendly | Yes. There are no switchbacks on this trail; it goes straight up. The sparse network of lightly traveled and sometimes indistinct trails offers campers a challenging entry into the wilderness that is part of the Tonto National forest. AllTrails map: Dutchman Trail #104 and Cavalry Trail #239 Loop is a 17.7 mile lightly trafficked loop trail. Required fields are marked *. Along this route, you can get some of the most breathtaking views of the mountain range. It is important to understand the different trails and the terrain, as well as to plan ahead for a safe and enjoyable experience. Are Superstition Mountains backpacking trips dangerous? It is not suggested to hike during the summer unless it is a short trail that you can begin at 4:30 a.m. and get done before late morning. If your family has young children, it might be best to begin with the easy Prospector Trail. You'll find that the temperatures during this time are more comfortable and typically less than 100 degrees. We are all experience hikers and range in age from 50 to 63. Along the way, hikers can expect to see panoramic views of the Sonoran Desert, towering saguaro cacti, wildlife, and seasonal . Along the hike you will see many unusual rock formations, benches to rest on, and great views of the mountain range itself. This one is no myth. Superstition Sunrise is a luxury RV resort located in Apache Junction, Arizona, in the Superstition Mountains' foothills mere minutes from metropolitan Phoenix. The 21-year-old hiker was reportedly camping with a friend on top of Flat Iron when he fell. This weekend long free, self-guided tour is like our Fall Studio Tour, which has become an anticipated event for art lovers since it began in . Details to Explore Your Way, Yellowstones Best Trails and Advice for Hiking and Backpacking. Read the full trail guide: Hike Battleship Mountain via. You can also take a guided tour of the area and learn about the history and geology of the Superstition Mountains. These are just a few of the legends and superstitions associated with Superstition Mountain. Second, explore a variety of plant and animal life. Superstition Mountain is a popular destination for hikers, offering a variety of trails with something for everyone. It also means that you will rarely have access to water sources or shade. Superstition Sunrise is a . The majestic monolith of Superstition Mountain is the world famous icon that separates urban luxury and wilderness adventure. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. 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