31 PERALTA TRAIL

KEY AT-A-GLANCE INFORMATION

LENGTH: 4.6 miles

ELEVATION GAIN: 1,360 feet

CONFIGURATION: Out-and-back (optional return via Cave Trail, add 0.6 miles)

DIFFICULTY: Moderate (difficult if returning via Cave Trail)

SCENERY: Desert, riparian plants, unique rock formations, Weaver’s Needle

EXPOSURE: Partial shade during early morning and late afternoon, otherwise exposed

TRAFFIC: Moderate–high on Peralta Trail; sparse on Cave Trail

TRAIL SURFACE: Gravel, crushed rock, smooth rock, boulders

HIKING TIME: 3 hours (4 if returning via Cave Trail)

WATER REQUIREMENT: 2.5 quarts

SEASON: Year-round; hot in summer

ACCESS: Sunrise to sunset

MAPS: USGS Weaver’s Needle, Tonto National Forest map, trailhead plaque

FACILITIES: Toilet, no water

DOGS: Yes

COMMENTS: For more information, visit www.fs.fed.us/r3/tonto/wilderness/wilderness-superstition-index.shtml.

GPS Trailhead Coordinates

UTM Zone 12S

Easting 0467714

Northing 3695225

Latitude N33°23.858'

Longitude W111°20.872'

Directions

Drive east from Phoenix on US 60. Approximately 23 miles past the Loop 101 junction, the freeway ends and US 60 turns into a divided highway. Just east of mile marker 204, turn north onto Peralta Road, which turns into a graded dirt road after 1 mile. Passenger cars should be fine, but watch out for stream crossings after heavy rains. At 5.5 miles from US 60, follow an obvious sign and take the left fork uphill. Continue until you reach the Peralta Trailhead parking area at 7.5 miles from US 60.

IN BRIEF

The Superstition Wilderness offers arguably the best hiking trails near Phoenix, and the Peralta Trail is one of the most popular hikes in the Superstitions. This moderate hike introduces you to the rugged beauty of the Superstition Mountains without taxing your abilities to their limits. Fremont Saddle, the destination of this hike, rewards visitors with an awesome view of Weaver’s Needle, the most famous landmark in the Superstition Mountains.

DESCRIPTION

The mysterious Superstition Mountains hold the legend of the Lost Dutchman’s Mine, one of the most enduring tales of lost gold. This world-famous tale of hidden treasure still inspires the occasional prospector to comb the area in hopes of striking it rich. Legend has it that the Peralta family from Mexico owned mining operations in the Superstition Mountains in the 1850s but fled the area after the Apaches massacred their miners near the present-day Lost Dutchman State Park. The Dutchman, in actuality a German immigrant named Jacob Waltz, supposedly came upon a map to a Peralta mine and found hidden caches of gold. He died in 1891 and left a legacy of maps and tales, but to this day, no gold has ever been found. Weaver’s Needle, a 1,220-foot-tall rock spire in the Superstitions, figures prominently in most stories and various maps related to the Lost Dutchman’s Mine.

The Peralta Trail takes visitors 2.3 miles up Peralta Canyon to Fremont Saddle, the best overlook from which to view Weaver’s Needle. If you haven’t yet caught gold fever on the scenic drive to the Peralta Trailhead, the mysterious hills will capture your imagination the moment you step out of the car. As you make your way to the trailhead at the end of the parking area, the imposing Dacite Cliffs tower ominously above you on the left. What spirits lie hidden in these mountains and watch your every move?

Begin by taking a left at the trailhead, and follow signs for Peralta Trail 102. The trail starts fairly level through a desert riparian landscape full of triangle-leaf bursage, canyon ragweed, jojoba, and cactus. Mountains rise on both sides of the canyon and provide some shade during early morning and late afternoon. At 0.25 miles, cross the dry Peralta Creek and begin a gradual climb along the eastern bank of the canyon. A grove of sugar sumacs and other brush provides some shade at 0.5 miles from the trailhead. Continue climbing along the obvious trail to 0.8 miles where the trail seemingly splits. Keep to the right and you’ll soon loop back to rejoin the creek bed. At 0.9 miles, another shady thicket with many smooth boulders beckons you to stop and rest.

The well-worn Peralta Trail ascends some cactus-lined switchbacks toward the east at 1 mile from the trailhead. Turn around to catch a glimpse of the ridge atop the western side of the canyon. Perhaps the ghost of the Lost Dutchman lurks among the hoodoos there? Even if your imagination fails to conjure the mysterious prospector, look for his horse in the form of a rearing steed–shaped rock.

At 1.3 miles and an elevation of 3,050 feet, the trail crosses the dry creek again and climbs up some switchbacks on the western side of the canyon. As the trail straightens into a gentle ascent around 1.5 miles, notice nearby jojoba bushes with their teardrop leaves pointing upward. Native Americans used these plants and their sweet fruits for food and medicine. Peer across the canyon to see a layer of pale green volcanic tuff and Geronimo’s Cave just above it. There are also some grotesquely eroded rock formations on the eastern side. Look for a ghostly facial impression with two hollow eye sockets and a gaping mouth. The Peralta Trail crosses the creek bed again and climbs up switchbacks on top of multicolored volcanic bedrock. At 2 miles the trail passes next to the entrance of a deep cave. Unfortunately, the ceiling is extremely low, making it difficult to explore, but you can turn around and enjoy a great view of Peralta Canyon below and Picketpost Mountain in the distance. From the cave, continue up the trail another 0.3 miles to reach the obvious Fremont Saddle, where a jaw-dropping view of Weaver’s Needle suddenly appears. Peralta Trail continues 4 more miles, but most day hikers turn around here. Take a well-deserved break at the 3,760-foot Fremont Saddle and ogle Weaver’s Needle some more before returning the way you came.

If you are feeling adventurous, return via the slightly longer and much less traveled Cave Trail, which requires some scrambling and route-finding skills. Make sure you have a map and compass or map and GPS unit and that you know how to use them if necessary. To take the Cave Trail, depart Fremont Saddle to the east and follow a faint trail marked by cairns. The Cave Trail first goes northeast and then loops around to head south along the pale green volcanic ridge you saw earlier from below. The trail can disappear on the smooth rock surface, so follow cairns carefully and do not drop down into Peralta Canyon. Geronimo’s Cave requires some scrambling to visit and is mostly unimpressive, so I recommend you skip it.

At 1.1 miles from Fremont Saddle, the Cave Trail descends steeply off the end of the volcanic ridge. This class-3 descent follows a steep drainage some call the Devil’s Slide, which runs down a slick rock face. This route should not be attempted when wet. At the end of the slide is an even scarier drop-off. Be extra careful while shimmying down here, and don’t be shy about using your hands and butt for extra traction. After the descent, the trail unexpectedly climbs back up and goes east in several spots. Keep looking for cairns marking the trail. If you don’t see one for a while, backtrack and try again. The middle mile of this 3-mile return route is the most confusing, so allow extra time for route-finding.

At 2 miles from Fremont Saddle and on top of a crest, you finally get a warm and fuzzy feeling because you can now look down and see a wide and obvious trail below. As you heave a sigh of relief while hiking down the hill, check out the view of Miner’s Needle to the northeast and the forest of saguaros around you. The Cave Trail joins Bluff Springs Trail at an unsigned junction 2.1 miles from Fremont Saddle. Bear right here and continue south. Take a quick break at a scenic overlook into Peralta Canyon at 2.3 miles, before the trail makes another bend to the east. At 2.6 miles from Fremont Saddle, be sure to make a sharp hairpin turn, marked by a huge cairn atop a ridge. The trail drops down toward the southwest from here and merges with the Dutchman’s Trail just before reaching the parking lot.

NEARBY ACTIVITIES

The Superstition Wilderness boasts an excellent network of hiking trails. The Lost Goldmine Trail is located on Peralta Road, just shy of the Peralta Trailhead. The Carney Springs Trailhead, with access to the Superstition Ridgeline, is only 1.5 miles from the Peralta Trailhead. Lost Dutchman State Park on the northwestern side of the Superstitions offers camping, ranger-led hikes, and access to the Siphon Draw Trail where the Ridgeline hike ends. In February and March the annual Renaissance Festival, just east of the Peralta Road turnoff on US 60, comes alive with medieval fun for the whole family.