The terrain is rocky and can be slippery in some areas. Day 1: We enter the Superstitions via the Peralta trailhead and hike a full day to a campsite at Charlebois Spring. Superstition Sunrise is a luxury RV resort located in Apache Junction, Arizona, in the Superstition Mountains' foothills mere minutes from metropolitan Phoenix. Id love to return and sleep under the stars here! The hikes each day are a manageable 6-8 miles in length, and while there is a good amount of ascent and descent, it is not crushing. Across from Lost Dutchman State Park you have Goldfield Ghost Town. Rating: Easy to moderate. From the top of the mountain, you can see for miles in any direction. Hiking in the Superstition Mountains is best enjoyed during the months of November - April. Weaver's Needle is a prominent volcanic plug monolith and perhaps . The mountains are located less than an hour's drive away from both Phoenix and Scottsdale. I love coming across little nuggets of paradises on the web and learn about them. Treasure seekers have steadily ventured into the maze of towering rocks and prickly cacti only to mysteriously vanish. These hikes are breathtaking! If youre looking for a base camp to stay at, reserve your camping spot ahead of time here. When planning a hike to the Superstition Mountains, it is important to bring the essentials to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. All Rights Reserved, All Superstition Mountain listings on Realtor.com, one of the 11 most beautiful hikes in the world. By far, our favorite hike was the Peralta Trail to Fremont Saddle in the Superstition Mountains. For reference- if it is 85 degrees or hotter, I would be extremely cautious about embarking on an all day hike. Superstition Mountain (Yavapai: Wi:kchsawa, O'odham: Gakok) is a prominent mountain and regional landmark located in the Phoenix metropolitan area of Arizona, immediately east of Apache Junction and north of Gold Canyon.It anchors the west end of the federally designated Superstition Wilderness Area and is a popular outdoor recreation destination, home to numerous trails for hiking and . 3 Popular Superstition Mountain Hiking Trails . Rife with otherworldly scenes of desert life in an environment sculpted out of ancient volcanic ash, the areas story arc spools out from violent origins, cataclysmic geological events, erosion and resurgence. Beginning at the First Water trailhead, you will connect to the Second Water trail and then follow the Boulder Canyon Wash Southeast before splitting off to tackle the Battleship Mountain scramble. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads. Flatiron is popular because it overlooks the Superstitions to the north and east and the city of Phoenix to the west. Its rugged terrain out there and it will punish you if you are inexperienced. The typical itinerary is 2-nights and 3-days, and we do a big loop that links 4 trails together. Whether you take a picnic lunch, or just find a comfortable spot to sit and soak in the scenery, Superstition Mountain is a great place to spend an afternoon. Simply put- Flatiron it is an epic day hike that consists of hiking up a slippery draw, scrambling up large rocks, and summiting one of the most challenging summits in the Superstition Mountains. Your email address will not be published. Superstition Mountain is a great place to go hiking and explore. A total of 23 custom home sites make up Montana Dorada which is located adjacent to the Superstition Mountain Country Club. Hiking The Superstition Wilderness. Beginning at the First Water trailhead roughly 45 miles from downtown Phoenix near Apache Junction, Second Water Trail is accessed by following the Dutchmans Trail 0.3 mile to the first signed junction. This protected land was designated in 1939, and was expanded in 1984 to its current size of 160,200 acres. Carry at least two (2) liters of water with you for the duration of your hike, and plan for additional hydration breaks if necessary. Superstition Mountain Museum is located in an area full of legend, history and intrigue. These are the cooler months in the Phoenix valley which make hiking these trails more enjoyable. It is relatively easy, with a gradual climb and many scenic views. Also, remember to pack plenty of water and snacks, as well as sunscreen and appropriate clothing. 6109 N Apache Trl, Apache Junction, AZ 85119, United States. Superstition Mountain is just one of many geographic landmarks inside the Superstition Wilderness Area. The area boasts many hiking trails and offers unparalleled views of Phoenix and the surrounding area. The Superstition Mountains were once a series of volcanoes that collapsed into themselves, and after years of erosion and natural elements theyve become what we see today. Elevation: 1,940-2,420 feet (878 feet of accumulated elevation change). 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. Each trailhead is marked as a hiker, and the description lets you know which hike begins from that trailhead. If youre looking for more of a easy-moderate hike and dont want to scramble all the way up to Flatiron, you have the option to hike to the Siphon Draw and turning back. Goldfield Ghost Town has mine tours, a zip line and cowboy gunfights everyday during the cooler months. Also, bring rain gear in case of inclement weather. With Its also situated in the perfect area to add a few more miles with various trails beginning near the Lost Dutchman State Park lot. The Peralta trail extends for miles beyond the saddle, where many people end their hike after getting the bestviews of Weavers Needle,to create longer loops. If you begin early enough in the day it is possible you'll have . A 21-year-old hiker died after he fell 700 feet from a mountain peak in Arizona while attempting to take a selfie. Required fields are marked *. Beautiful hike in the Superstition Mountains, ending with a view that's seldom seen! Added by Kevin Kaminski. The Superstition Mountains are home to some of the most stunning views of the Arizona desert. It all depends on how deep you plan on exploring. Heading out from Gold Canyon, you slowly climb along a ridgeline until you enter a steep valley hiding away a creek, ancient rockflows, and best of all . Great views and several trails within the park lead to a very good day. This 'Superstition Mountains' Acrylic Painting Print on Canvas contains the vivid color and detail of the original work. Is there gold in the Superstition Mountains? Weavers Needle in the center of the shot on the horizon. Close by is the, Anza-Borrego Desert State Park: An Adventure Playground in SoCal, Best Tours in Belize: Book with Barefoot Services, Book your Adventure Tours in the Balkans with Outdoor Kosovo, Best Adventure Tours in Sardinia: Go Trekking and 44 Off-Roading, Discover the Best Hidden Gems of Montenegro, 10 Hidden Gems in Iceland for Adventure-Seekers. We are all experience hikers and range in age from 50 to 63. There is nothing quite like standing atop the mountain, watching the desert sunset and breathing in the beauty of the Sonoran Desert. Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features. Superstition Mountain also encompasses a guard-gated master-planned community with custom home lots, elegant estates, and luxury villas. It is a very challenging hike with several scrambling and class 4 and 5 rock climbing sections. Copyright 2020 Superstition Mountain. The Siphon Draw trail gains 2,500 feet over 3 miles before it reaches the top of Flat Iron (gulp). Gaining notoriety for men disappearing, the Spanish named them the Superstition Mountains. Bring snacks and a meal to ensure that you stay energized and nourished. Can you drive to the top of Superstition Mountain? It is best practice to also carry a paper map of the area youre hiking in. This 24 mile out-and-back features a modest elevation gain of 3,500 feet and is best done as an overnight backpacking trip. They are within the Tonto National Forest and are largely designated as a wilderness area. Of course some trails will be easier than others. May 12, 2014. If youre looking for a great beginner hike in the Superstition Mountains, Treasure Loop is a the perfect choice. Simply put- Flatiron it is an epic day hike that consists of hiking up a slippery draw, scrambling up large rocks, and summiting one of the most challenging summits in the Superstition Mountains. 3 Beds. Thanks for reading everyone. Now it is time to pick a trail. It is pretty accessible from Phoenix. Once you get to the base of the main cliffs, and the trail starts to veer to the right, this is where you branch off. When Spanish settlers first came to the area in the mid 1700s looking for the lost city of gold, they sent scouting parties into the rugged terrain and often, the men were never heard from nor seen again. Description. Elevation Gain- 1000 feet (305 meters) Trail Type- Loop. You will see Hoodoo rock formations, a slick rock basin with possible waterfall, which provides a great workout and awesome photography. Battleship mountain may be named for its resemblance to an ocean vessel, but the climb can be described as a battle of its own. Read the full trail guide: Local Guide To Wave Cave- The Superstitions Hidden Gem, Distance | 3.1 milesDifficulty | Easy ModerateTrailhead | Hieroglyphic TrailheadPermit | NoneDog Friendly | Yes. The terminolgy referring to this area is very loose. Once downloaded, you can load it into your own trusty device for ease of mind! Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other. More:Spicy Phoenix hike is a worthy alternative to Camelback Mountain. Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. When looking for best Superstition Mountains hiking trails, Peralta trailhead is often at the top of the list due to its stunning views and accessibility to all abilities. Turn left and follow Idaho to SR 88, turn right and continue to First Water Road (Forest Road 78), which is about a half mile past the entrance to Lost Dutchman State Park and is signed for First Water Trailhead. Know your limitations and do not push yourself beyond your physical capability. Explore Superstition Mountain Trails - view hand-curated trail maps and driving directions as well as detailed reviews and photos from hikers, campers and nature lovers like you. After a two mile hike, you will reach a saddle that offers stunning views of Weaver . Broadway Cave features a massive entrance that opens up to the valley beyond.