33 REAVIS FALLS

KEY AT-A-GLANCE INFORMATION

LENGTH: 13.3 miles

ELEVATION GAIN: -1,625 feet

CONFIGURATION: Out-and-back

DIFFICULTY: Difficult

SCENERY: Reavis Falls, Superstition Wilderness, Castle Dome, Apache Lake, Four Peaks

EXPOSURE: Mostly exposed; some shade in Reavis Creek

TRAFFIC: Light to moderate

TRAIL SURFACE: Gravel, packed dirt, rock, some scrambling along creek

HIKING TIME: 8 hours

WATER REQUIREMENT: 4 quarts

SEASON: Year-round; hot in summer

ACCESS: Sunrise to sunset; free parking

MAPS: USGS Pinyon Mountain

FACILITIES: None

DOGS: Yes

COMMENTS: This hike is also a popular backpacking trip.

GPS Trailhead Coordinates

UTM Zone 12S

Easting 0478888

Northing 3712824

Latitude N33°33.398'

Longitude W111°13.687'

Directions

Drive east on US 60, and exit onto Idaho Road. Follow Idaho Road north 2.25 miles to SR 88. Turn northeast onto SR 88, Apache Trail, and follow it 29 winding miles. Past mile marker 227 look for a sign that reads “Reavis Trailhead” and turn right onto FR 212. Drive 2.9 miles on FR 212 to the large trailhead parking lot.

Note that FR 212 and portions of SR 88 are dirt roads, which are normally passable by most cars. However, during the rainy season, deep ruts may develop, requiring a high-clearance vehicle.

IN BRIEF

A 140-foot-tall waterfall nestled deep in the Superstition Wilderness is the ultimate destination on this hike, but the journey to the falls is equally rewarding. Superb views of Apache Lake and the surrounding mountains abound on this scenic hike.

DESCRIPTION

Free-flowing water is always hard to find in the deserts around Phoenix, so it is difficult to believe that a 140-foot-tall waterfall exists in the Superstition Wilderness. Reavis Falls proves doubters wrong, however, with a spectacular cascade only miles from Phoenix. Fed by mountain springs deep within the Superstition Wilderness, Reavis Creek meanders around high plateaus and through deep valleys. At one particular spot in the shadows of Castle Dome, Reavis Creek tumbles down a sheer cliff to form a spectacular waterfall. The amount of water in the creek may vary with the seasons and with rainfall. Sometimes it is a mere trickle; but when conditions are right, Reavis Falls sends a powerful torrent of water tumbling over the cliff.

Getting to the falls isn’t easy, however. Your adventure begins with the drive to Reavis Trailhead, which traces historic Apache Trail along 30 miles of twisting and winding mountainous curves. Upon arrival at Reavis Trailhead, enjoy a bird’s-eye view of Apache Lake while mentally preparing for the 13-mile hike. To reach the falls, you must descend 1,625 feet into a deep valley. Hiking down-first adds a degree of difficulty not normally encountered on a mountain hike. It requires prior knowledge of your hiking ability. The bulk of the uphill toil remains for the return trip, and you can’t simply turn around when you are tired. Once you are in the canyon, you must climb out.

Dire warnings aside, the hike and the falls are definitely worth the effort. Begin by heading east on Reavis Ranch Trail 109, which is sometimes called Reavis Trail. Wide and smooth, Reavis Ranch Trail is really an old dirt road that winds through the rolling hills toward Reavis Ranch. Dense patches of chia flowers often line the trail in spring, which is also the best time to visit Reavis Falls. Patches of Mexican gold poppies add some contrasting color, while delicate sego lilies bloom in April.

At 0.4 miles the trail rounds a bend and opens a northeastern view where Apache Lake and the Apache Trail can be seen in the distance. To the east, rolling hills and distant mountains stretch out for as far as the eye can see. The trail levels out and actually descends slightly as it traces a wide basin. Enjoy the wide-open views as the trail carves a path over the hilltops.

The first 2 miles of the hike are relatively flat. Then you’ll climb a moderately steep hill to a saddle at 2.2 miles from the trailhead. Another high basin comes into view with the tip of Castle Dome in the distance. The trail turns left and traces the basin at roughly 4,000 feet, with expansive views of nearby mountains. Behind you, Fish Creek Mountain, Black Cross Butte, and Four Peaks line the horizon. On a clear day, you can even see Camelback Mountain in the center of town. At 2.4 miles the trail becomes notably rougher and rockier. Tall grasses blanket the hillside and sway back and forth with the slightest wind. The entire scene looks quite out of place in Arizona.

At exactly 3.5 miles from the trailhead, and with Castle Dome directly ahead, find an obvious spur trail that heads uphill to the left. Leave the Reavis Ranch Trail at this point and branch onto a nameless trail. Steep and rocky, the next quarter mile requires significant work. Hike up the narrow grass-lined trail to a wide saddle at 4,675 feet, the high point on this hike. An expansive valley with a deep ravine comes into view. Don’t panic, but your destination is the bottom of the ravine! Try not to get discouraged, and just keep going.

Crossing the saddle, the trail drops steeply but then eases slightly at 4 miles from Reavis Trailhead. The trail then turns south and cuts back to the east. A lone juniper tree stands next to the trail, forming a natural campground for backpackers. Look for some stone ruins just off the trail as it bends southward along a ridge. Then the trail begins to descend. And descend. And descend some more. Watch your footing on the loose rocks—there are plenty of prickly pear cacti to break your fall if you are not careful.

Turn left and hike around the northern side of Lime Mountain where hackberry, juniper, and manzanita bushes provide some shade. Then descend some more via steep switchbacks to reach the flat meadow of Cedar Basin at 5.5 miles. There are some concrete slabs here, perhaps remnants of an old shelter. Today, backpackers use this spot as a campground. A bit farther along the trail, cross Maple Spring and continue past thick bushes and some malnourished cacti. Then pass through some hop bushes and grassy meadows to ascend a thin ridge. Cross the ridge and descend yet another steep and slippery hill to reach Reavis Creek at 6 miles from the trailhead. On the other side of the creek, natural campsites treat backpackers to a creek-side home away from home.

Now the fun truly begins. Turn right and follow the creek upstream. The trail fades and reappears, crosses over the creek several times, and goes over boulders and fallen logs. When in doubt, look for cairns or just bushwhack up the creek. There are no established trails here, so you’ll have to be creative. Watch out for poison ivy, which grows rather well in the shady woods next to the water.

After 0.6 miles of bushwhacking and boulder-hopping, you’ll finally see Reavis Falls over the treetops. As you get closer, the falls become more impressive. There used to be a pool at the base of Reavis Falls, but a giant rockslide in January of 2004 buried it under tons of rubble. Nevertheless, seeing the awesome 140-foot waterfall in the middle of the Superstition Wilderness is worth the effort.

Tall cliffs and rocky slopes encircle Reavis Falls, forming a secluded alcove at the head of the canyon. It’s an ideal place to have a picnic or just enjoy the scenery. Rest well because climbing out of the canyon is a lot tougher than entering it. Return the way you came.

NEARBY ACTIVITIES

Apache Lake and Canyon Lake are popular destinations for water sports. The Superstition Wilderness holds a treasure trove of trails; many hikes in this book are based in the Superstitions. Boulder Canyon, Reavis Ranch, Rogers Canyon, and Fish Creek are just some of the trails nearby.