| when? | Trip Report : March 20, 2010 | ||
| Trip Report : January 26, 2002 | |||
| Trip Report : February 7, 1999 | |||
| Trip Report : December 14, 1996 | |||
| where? | Superstition Wilderness | ||
| the hike |
From Peralta Trailhead the Dutchman’s Trail passes through
Barkley Basin, climbs north past Miners Needle and descends from Miners
Summit to the Bluff Spring Trail. The Bluff Spring Trail goes up Bluff Spring Canyon, crossing the wash numerous times. Weaver’s Needle soon rises on the western horizon. Williams Camp is just north of the trail as it tops out by Bluff Spring Mountain. After leaving Bluff Spring Canyon, the trail turns south and intersects the Terrapin Trail which comes in from the west. The Bluff Spring Trail continues south to Barks Canyon. As the trail descends into the wash it sometimes seems to disappear, but it does continue across Barks Canyon and up the west side of the canyon. The unsigned Cave Trail enters from the north. Peralta Trailhead is another 20 minutes down the hill where the hike ends. This hike is described by Jack Carlson and Elizabeth Stewart in Hiker’s Guide to the Superstition Wilderness, Clear Creek Publishing, Tempe, AZ, 1995, pages 55-61. |
||
| distance | 9.1 miles | ||
| EC | +-1400' elevation change | ||
| elevations | 2410' (Peralta Trailhead) to 3240' (Miners Summit) | ||
| hike rating | "B" [moderate] | ||
| time | 5-6 hours | ||
| type | loop | ||
| starting at |
|
||
| on trail | 100% — Dutchman’s and Bluff Spring Trails | ||
| dogs? | no | ||
| cost | When car-pooling, pay your share the cost of gas. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $1/member or $3/non-member. | ||
| weather | Apache Junction | ||
| meet | 7:00 AM in east Mesa at the Home Depot on the southeast corner of Power and US 60. Go east on the Superstition Freeway (US 60) to Superstition Springs Blvd., exit 187. Take that exit, turn right and go 1/2 mile east, across Power Road. Then turn left, toward Home Depot, at the second driveway. Park in the southwest corner of the lot, behind Burger King. | ||
| drive |
Take US 60 east to milepost 204, turn left following the
signs for Peralta Trailhead.
Continue 7 miles to the end of Peralta Road.
The dirt road is O.K. for cars. 25 miles from Home Depot to Peralta Trailhead (50 round trip). |
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| updated February 3, 2010 | © Copyright 2010, Arizona Trailblazers. All rights reserved. |