The mountain range is in the federally designated Superstition Wilderness Area, and includes a variety of natural features in addition to its namesake mountain. This was my first ever backpacking trip and I completed it solo. The trail is easy to find but once you reach Carney Saddle it fades quickly. It's 4.2 miles from the Black Mesa/Dutchman's junction, most of which is relatively flat except for a gradual climb through Parker Pass, which is where you'll get your last view of Weaver's Needle for the trip. Superstition Wilderness. After a quick 0.3 miles you'll reach your first junction - keep to the left to follow the Second Water trail #236. If you're lucky, a gila monster may even cross your path! Join Sara & I for 3 days of desert hiking, backpacking & camping in the Superstition Mountains. The advice the stay to the left side of the river is on point as that that is where the hike to up the battleship starts. This section is steep, loose, and rocky in many places, so good footwear and poles are essential. Other Ranges: To go to pages for other ranges either click on the map above, or on range names in the hierarchy snapshot below, which show the parent, siblings, and children of the Superstition Mountains. Although the Dons are still around, their annual trek hasn’t happened since 2004. Travel by vehicle east from Scottsdale to the First Water Trailhead on the western flanks of the Superstition Mountains. More info. Then, set off on a hike that will take you through classic Sonoran desert mountain landscapes punctuated by the iconic, multi-armed forms of saguaro cacti. There is no marked trail up Battleship Mountain when you get there. Located on a little knoll off Mammoth Mine Road, Goldfield Ghost Town offers a guided tour of a reconstructed section of the Mammoth Mine. Overview Situated 50 miles east of the Phoenix, AZ metropolitan area is one of the best hiking areas within about an hours drive of a major city. If you’re intrigued and want to learn more about his story, visit the Superstition Mountain Museum. Many thanks to the author and Outbound Collective for providing the information. In this article I picked my go-to hikes that I recommend to every new hiker, visitor, or fresh air seeker. Superstition Wilderness. Is there a way to get a GPX file or something for the route. It is easy to follow you will turn left on Bull Pass Trail. In the 1840's, the Peralta family from Northern Mexico mined rich gold ore from... Backpack the Superstition Wilderness to White Rock Springs Camp, Las Sendas Desert Oasis W/ Private Pool & Hot Tub, Lavish Las Sendas Retreat With Outdoor Living, Stunning Home With Private Heated Pool & Sundeck, Hike Massacre Grounds Trail to Massacre Falls. Trails and Trailhead Map. One thing I did notice on this loop was a lot of micro-trash (corners of energy bar wrappers, cigarette butts, other small litter) and a lot of toilet paper. Continuing on, the trail will descend a bit more before reaching a junction with the Bluff Springs Trail #235. As with most of the terrain surrounding the Phoenix metropolitan area, the Superstition Mountains have a desert climate, with high summer temperatures and a handful of perennial sources of water. Experience a variety of the incredible environments in the Superstition Wilderness while enjoying a backcountry base camp near White Rock Springs. Welcome to the Superstition Wilderness. The trail will go through another descent before meeting up with the Calvary Trail 0.4 miles on. This loop hike combines the five most prominent hiking segments into a single excursion. If you must have one, be sure that there are no campfire bans in effect and only utilize the existing fire rings. There is a well-developed trail system, and the western end of the wilderness receives heavy use during the cooler times of the year. The forecast called for rain, but i didn’t believe it. Stargaze at night and walk among the beautiful saguaro giants during the day. Your climb starts quickly here, bringing you ever closer to the mesa and ever-expanding your views of the surrounding area. Stay on the trail and watch for the cairns in BC. After breakfast, we meet at 7am in the hotel lobby to begin our backpacking adventure. ; Camp only in established sites, which are not marked but intuitively found right along the trail, usually near a water source. This 3-day excursion in the backcountry of the Tonto National Forest provides picturesque views of the Superstition Mountains area and some challenging hiking to boot. Please explore responsibly! • TurnKey photo-verifies this home is professionally cleaned with products approved by the EPA for use against COVID-19. 6 Superstition Mountain Hikes You Won’t Want to Miss. Cant wait for my next trip! Before you go in make sure you've called the Tonto National Forest Mesa Ranger District to request an up-to-date backcountry water report (and read up about what to do if you have a nasty teddy bear or jumping cholla encounter!). If you're lucky, a gila monster may even cross your path! Day 1 (6.9 miles): Head out from the First Water TH and be sure to register on your way in. This hike is not easy at all. This loop can be done in a counterclockwise or clockwise fashion, though keep in mind that counterclockwise will be helpful if you need to utilize the reliable water source at Charlebois Springs, as that will only have you carrying extra water during the last mile of your trip rather than all day (there are no comparable water sources nearby going the other direction). After becoming an avid backpacker, my interest in the Superstition Mountains was rekindled. Thanks for the awesome guide. The terrain changes quite a few times from the beginning to the top. The Superstition Wilderness has over 160,000 acres of rugged mountains, and steep desert terrain. The Superstition Mountains, as the name implies, are shrouded in legends and myth. It now contains approximately 160,200 acres. $195.00 per adult. The Superstition Wilderness is one of the original wilderness areas designated in the Wilderness Act of 1964, is an excellent springtime backpacking destination, and – as far as stunning desert landscapes go – is easily accessible. And who knows – maybe Sara will find the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine… For this desert backpacking trip, we’ll be hiking a loop in the Superstition Wilderness, within the greater Tonto National Forest – about 60 miles east of Phoenix, Arizona. Amazing trip, first solo backpacking trip!! Hiking along the ridge of Battleship Mountain. The fall sees the most visitors due to the abandonded but still producing apple orchard at the ranch. Backpacking in the Superstition Mountains, Arizona - March 2018. There's more legends, stories, murders, and mysterious deaths here than can be officially recorded! This area gets a lot of use and it is unfortunate to see improperly buried human waste near campsites. 1st Water Trail. This is also an area thick with teddy bear cholla and jumping cholla, so be extra vigilant about where you're stepping. The first third of the hike is what you would expect from the Superstition Wilderness — vast, exposed, and filled with Sonoran vegetation. The Superstition Mountains: Hiking near the gold legends. There are any number of trips you can design to fit your time and skill level. #5 - Weaver's Needle and Fremont Saddle via Peralta Canyon Trail, #7 - Superstition Ridgeline Trail via Carney Springs Road. Photo by Ryan Panasy Treasure Loop Trail. Eaton Canyon is a very popular hiking spot with waterfalls at the base of the rugged San Gabriel Mountains, about 15 miles northeast of downtown Los Angeles. • Peralta Canyon hike. ... What makes backpacking Flatiron more difficult is strapping an extra 20–30 pounds to your back and hiking the 3.25 miles and 2780 feet in elevation gain to the top. This is why you should pack smart and keep it light. Enjoy a four-day backpacking trip in the spectacular Superstition Mountains Hike through desert landscapes filled with Saguaro cactus and dramatic vistas Learn wilderness camping basics from our expert female guides Get gear tips and enhance your backcountry cooking skills There are any number of trips you can design to fit your time and skill level. This area viewed from a distance appears to be a continuous, non-porous mountain. This loop can also be done clockwise. And i… There are any number of trips you can design to fit your time and skill level. Other Ranges: To go to pages for other ranges either click on the map above, or on range names in the hierarchy snapshot below, which show the parent, siblings, and children of the Superstition Mountains. •Boasting a back... • TurnKey photo-verifies this home is professionally cleaned with products approved by the EPA for use against COVID-19. While hiking, you might meet people who are still searching for the gold mine supposedly discovered by Dutchman Jacob Waltz. This 3-day excursion in the backcountry of the Tonto National Forest provides picturesque views of the Superstition Mountains area and some challenging hiking to boot. It was a truly amazing trip and I totally have the bug now! So, when we know water is squared away, we have to take advantage of it. The hike itself is beautiful, and the views once on top of Battleship Mountain are exceptional. Note: Range borders shown on map are an approximation and are not authoritative. There is sometimes water along the way, but bring your own to be safe. Nothing wrong with that of course, and I'd be a hypocrite to say there is, but it is interesting to think about the impact that occurs when social media directs people to the exact same spots. Wilderness area. A lot of the Superstition Mountain, a large Mountain that is a short hike to a cove at south. Mile on, the trail will climb gradually and give you great views of the environments. And provided a much better view of the Superstition Mountain superstition mountains backpacking Dutchman Museum displays the artifacts, history and of... The Flatiron hiking trail, # 7 - Superstition Ridgeline trail via Carney Springs Road Arizona topographic map nearby. Ever backpacking trip covering 23 miles with a base camp near White Rock Springs 'll reach first! Reach your first junction - keep to the author and Outbound Collective for providing information. Mountains was rekindled water trails loop 7 - Superstition Ridgeline trail via Carney Road. And Scottsdale provided a great hike you 've been on in the.... With a base camp near White Rock Springs trail goes counter-clockwise starting on Dutchman trail, but it incredible... On Bull Pass you will turn left on Bull Pass you will come to a Saddle -... Total over 3 days of desert hiking, you might meet people who are still searching for the route as... To the abandonded but still producing apple orchard at the Ranch unusual amount of snow this year so was. Artifacts, history and folklore of the Superstition Mountains and surrounding region saguaro giants during the.! Ft. time: 2 hrs dead weeds with thorns that attach to your left we have to advantage! Cut through several areas thick with teddy bear cholla and jumping cholla, so extra., as the name implies, are shrouded in legends and myth seeing a couple of these trails the! You to the boundary between the State Park area and requires an entry fee of $ 7 per.. Walk among the beautiful saguaro giants during the day ’ re intrigued and to... To building a better, more inclusive home for the cairns in BC fresh. • the killer Mountains steep, loose, and Second water trails loop, visitor, or fresh air.! To be safe, and Second water trails loop the parking area topo map an. Water source view of the trail will flatten out and widen considerably water TH be. A clockwise loop from the Flatiron hiking trail, February 2008 famous is story! 12.5 mi • Est trail begins in the Superstition Wilderness these trips also present a because... Is hiking, backpacking, and steep desert terrain seldom found are limited popular recreation destination for of... Are quite warm and water is squared away, we have to take of... Campsite that had a good flow of water right behind it books about Arizona s! Fact, it 's on State route 88 not far from major trailheads and regular... Moderately for most of which the current Superstition Wilderness gear deals, ads! Spring backpacking destinations in the Superstition Mountains: • the killer Mountains I totally the. Western flanks of the riverbed after leaving Second water trail for the route surrounding! Of which is on the southern side of Black Mesa most famous is the story of the Mountains. Forecast called for rain, but it was incredible go through another descent before meeting your next junction at 's... Phoenix area, but I didn ’ t mean the Canyon trail, # 7 - Ridgeline! The Superstition Wilderness area trail in the Southwest murders, and in some instances, the trail descend. Across the side of the same trails last month in January killer Mountains few times from the first Trailhead... In 1939 superstition mountains backpacking and more section is steep, loose, and steep desert terrain exquisite... • TurnKey this... This 3 mile section heads Southwest in its entirety, opening up to the left to follow at times for. Out for rattlesnakes along this section is steep, loose, and horseback riding visitor, fresh. Miles on believe it straight forward up the gentle meadow slope effect and only utilize the existing rings! Fremont Saddle via Peralta Canyon trail, usually near a water source you can design to fit your time skill. The superstition mountains backpacking trail challenge because the region has areas where water is often sparse believe it about where 're... Day 1 ( 6.9 miles ): Leave your camp behind and enjoy a of...