Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Garden Valley Archaeology Day Hike
| when |
Trip Report :
January 30, 2021
|
| where |
Superstition Mountains |
| the hike |
Garden Valley is full of archaeological sites. It was inhabited when Chaucer
wrote his Canterbury Tales. We will explore some sites on this hike.
Read more.
Those who prefer a longer hike can complete the Garden Valley Loop (5.7 miles) or
the Black Mesa Loop (10.5 miles).
|
| distance |
5.4, 5.7, or 10.5 miles |
| time |
3-6 hours |
| EC |
+-500' (short), +-1600' (long) |
| elevations |
2051' (near Hackberry Spring) to 2760' (Black Mesa) |
| type |
round trip or loop |
| starting at |
| First Water Horse Staging Area |
33° 28.984' N, 111° 26.144' W [NAD27]
|
|
| on trail |
95% — Dutchman’s, Second Water, Hackberry
Spring, and Black Mesa Trails |
| rating |
"C" or "B"
Rate yourself as a hiker. |
| dogs allowed |
no |
| cost |
The club allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member. |
| weather |
Apache Junction |
| meet |
8:00 AM at the First Water Horse Staging Area. |
| drive |
| • |
East on Brown Road or US 60 to the Apache Trail Highway (AZ 88). |
| • |
North on the Apache Trail Highway through Apache Junction, past Goldfield Ghost
Town and Lost Dutchman State Park, to First Water Road.
|
| • |
Turn right on First Water Road and drive east two miles to the Horse Staging Area.
First Water Road is unpaved and not graded often enough, but I have driven it in a
sedan. If you reach First Water Trailhead, you’ve gone too far. |
|