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. The Treasure Loop Hiking Trail is one of the most popular hikes in Lost Dutchman State Park. Look for the hieroglyphs on the left. The first three-quarters of this hike is relatively flat. Thats how I felt during this trek. The towering crags of the Superstition Mountain glow brilliantly opposite the setting sun. If you get going early enough, youll be home in time for lunch! An easy to moderate day hike, Treasure Loop is a must-do for all outdoor enthusiasts. We started out around 11am temps were in the high 50s. Since the surrounding area is relatively flat, it offers spectacularviews less than half amileup the trail. Old West reenactors even make occasional appearances on weekends, weather permitting. This is a particularly good hike after a rain. 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. The lo. Tons off cactus needles in me. 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. Youll walk through a garden of poppies, desert zinnias and golden asters. If you have enough time, stay two nights. 23-mile figure 8 loop trail. 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. Why you should go: Get a dose of cave therapy. The trail takes you through Garden Valley, past Hackberry Spring, then along First Water Creek before winding its way back to the trailhead. Youre scrambling over boulders and fighting through cat claw. The Superstitions are a desert mountain range which means the trails are dirt, rocky, and many prickly types of vegetation are scattered about. Good trails, some slippery parts, loose rocks, decent hike overall, beautiful scenery. You may even catch some live music during your stay! The off-trail aspect gives this one an especially adventurous flavor. When dealing with such a hike, footing can be tricky and requires a bit of route finding in spots. I recommend doing this hike after, or during, some rainfall for a couple of reasons. Eventually, you will reach a saddle, but this isnt Parker Pass. I also pulled a muscle in my quad on the descent, so maybe that had something to do with it. This trail will wind you through some amazing sights and scenes. Be careful, I had good tread and still slipped a few times. DON'T CLIMB ON OR TOUCH THE HEIROGRLYPHS!! However, by the time we began the descent, the map showed we had only done 7 miles, while both of our watches showed we had done 12. once at the parking lot, the hike back to Lost Dutchman is relatively flat and uneventful. I . Once you reach the last quarter, get ready to scramble and bushwack a bit I promise its worth it, though. The summer heat is unforgiving and is mercilesson unprepared visitors. Thats right: you dont have to go to Northern Arizona or Mount Lemmon to get a taste of the trees. Treasure Loop Trail 56. starting at First Water Trailhead and taking the Dutchmans Trail. This hike offersspectacular scenery andmoderate difficulty for a great day hike option during the fall, winter, and spring months. Easy trail for all ages. For Rent. The payoff at the end was okay. Its easy to mistake the small drainage at bottom as your destination, so be sure to continue another half-mile over the next hill to Reavis Creek. Very gradual with a Little Rock scramble at the top. Everything else you need to know about Reavis Ranch is in the prior descriptionincluding a lay of the land, some history and pro tips! When in solitude, the desert speaks. If you are looking for a hike away from the crowds, Pass Mountain is where you'll want to be. Its about protecting what sustains us. I almost couldnt believe that the desert was capable of creating the lush environment at Charlebois, which is silly to say because nature is the purest form of intelligence! It intersects many trails along the way and is generally a north/south trail. Its all about boulder hopping, scrambling and scouting the best way to keep moving forward. Learn more about our editorial policies, Affiliate disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases from Amazon.com. This was an epic, long hike that I thoroughly enjoyed. She has been published in Arizona Highways Magazine and Phoenix New Times, and has traveled overseas for her work. With gorgeous views and hospitable staff ready to make your day, Gold Canyon is a great getaway you won't find anywhere else. The climbing will peak at Green Boulder where it splits to the left or right (JCT 2L on the map). It felt like Picketpost sometimes. We did this as 7.1 miles and took approximately 6 hrs. Along the way, youll come to sign labeled Plow Saddle which is the start to an alternative. A trip to Hackberry Spring is enough to prove otherwise. And once youve reached Fremont Saddle, you can marvel at Weavers Needle. The map is a straight line. But the toughest challenges also reap the best rewards, right? By clicking "ACCEPT", you agree to be the terms and conditions of each Only one or two Peralta survivors escaped the bloodbath and returned to Mexico. The friendly and informative staff makes you feel as if you really are in a Wild West town, perfect for the curious traveler and families of all ages! It is more of a climb/scramble then a hike. Trail Descriptions 19th Ave. Trailhead 10500 S. 19th Ave. Crosscut Trail Access: Start at the 19th Ave. Trailhead to connect to Ma a Tauk Trail. $37.13. 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. Elevation gain-3,000ft. It is full of history and tales of gold, as well as 100-year-old saguaro cacti, vista views, and wildlife. Perfect day on this fantastic trail. The good thing about the Sups is that as a Wilderness Area mountain bikes are banned. 2021Outdoor Project. White-knuckle curves, ghost towns, and scenic beauty abound. Park location and driving directions for Lost Dutchman State Park in Apache Junction, AZ (85119). To complete it, youll need some off-trail route finding skills and a shuttle car. Parents should be aware that the trail is narrow in places and traverses some steep slopes. Picture 1 of 1. I counted 18 stream crossings to complete the loop. Why you should go: The more scenic way to Reavis, and you can still get apples. The hike described is 2.5 miles for the loop hike described. Or, you can start with the Boulder Canyon Trail, which is accessed from across the Canyon Lake Marina parking area. It now contains approximately 160,200 acres. Ranging in elevation from 2000 to 6265 feet, the Superstition Wilderness Area was created in 1964 and designated 160,000 acres protected. It was not overly busy and most of the trail was clearly marked. Shared By: Hiking Project Staff Full Details Trail Ratings 4.5 from 4 votes Trail Rankings #3 Narrows of La Barge Creek Views But these trips also present a challenge because the region has areas where water is seldom found. Before you know it, youll be surrounded by the canyon walls in all their glory. Good workout, incredible view of Gold Canyon. Some explorers have even faced their death in search of The Lost Mine. So while we dont recommend looking for gold yourself, you are certain to find the promised land here in youre looking for a great hike. The summer months are not the ideal time to hike in these places but you will be just fine visiting. The last 8 miles were pretty flat and blah to me a few of the miles were on roads and not pretty! 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. Why you should go: Fresh apple picking and a refreshing pine forest. My phone died with 3 miles to go but completed around 20 miles in around 10 hours. guide, Start a 7-Day Free Trial of All-Access Membership, 11 community trail reviews with the Well marked and maintained. Ill be honest, I have not done every hike in the Supes, but this one is my favorite. Going up seems futile to me, I wouldnt try it. It may be wise to have a map and GPS as well. I dont blame them. Over the next century, his confidant and thousands of other determined parties have searched for the gold only to come up empty. We'll help you pick the right season for you. Whiskey Spring Trail 238. Loreah Winlow Treasure Loop Trail is a 2.4-mile loop hike at the west base of the Superstition Mountains. Loop hike with the Peralta trail to the Cave trail in the Superstition wilderness, Arizona. You'll find the first half paved and the second half made of dirt roads. However, its also steeper. In the beginning, the towering western face of the Supes stares back at you. Also, It was very windy the day that we went. Turn right on Hwy. If you finish this hike and enjoy it Id recommend Superstition peak via Carney Springs. Conditions were cool & dry. Hes also the one who planted the apple orchard. Just outside Phoenix at the base of the Superstition Mountains. Decades later, Jacob Waltz, aka "the Dutchman," was said to have found the mine, and hid gold in the Superstitions. If you read the previous hike description, youll notice that I did this hike by accident, but I wasnt the least bit disappointed. Located along the southern rim, Superstition Loop allows 4x4 users to enjoy the towering peaks while driving along an easy off-road trail. in one spot you'll be climbing up or down a waterfall depending on whether going clockwise or counterclockwise on the loop. The trail is well defined and every trail junction is well signed. 3. Expect to share this trail with 30-50 other hikers. Youre almost there, and the views are unparalleled. Made for a great hike. If it's a little to hot for an open air hike, meander intoSiphon Draw Trail! . Well worth the hike. Youll get started at the Crosscut Trailhead off of First Water Road. It's still one of the best ways through the Superstitions. It may seem like youre lost in suburbia, but youll get there eventually. Theres history on this hike. Ran out with 6 miles to go. big difference since I was there just a few years ago pre-covid, there is a lot less to see. Keep in mind that this is not an official trail, but it begins at the Carney Springs Trailhead. Getting to Fish Creek is pretty easy, too. Anyone who has hiked in the Supes knows that the terrain is unique in a harsh way. Add another 0.6 miles if you take the spur trail to the Praying Hands formation. In the 1840s, the Peralta family of Mexico discovered gold near Apache Junction and continuously made trips to bring it back to Mexico. 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. Followed the stream for the first half of the hike. Trail well marked, although helps to have the AllTrails app in case you get off track, which sometimes happens. Cool, sunny, and very windy. About Lost Dutchman State Park. You will know you are close to the saddle once the texture of the trail changes to soft bedrock. Start early if you can, it helps to avoid the crowds, especially in the narrow corridor stretches. 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. If you havent been to the east side of the Superstition Mountains, its a must. Here are sixof our favorite hikes! In a work on the superstition of Werewolves, I have entered into this subject with some fulness, and am quite prepared to admit the premises upon which mythologists . Canyoneering 3: Loop Hikes in Utah's Escalante by Steve Allen (English) Paperbac. 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 any number of trips you can design to fit your time and skill level. 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