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Description:
Please consider joining us for this pleasant backpack in the Superstitions. It is an easy backpack, so if you want to see if backpacking is for you; only 6 miles long with 1000 ft. of elevation change. We will be hiking for about 4 to 5 hours to get to Reavis, leaving most of the afternoon open for other activities. This is a good time to check out your backpack for future more difficult backpacks. On the backpack in we will stop at Mr. Reavis’ gravesite. This site has a good lookout of Rogers Canyon. This is also a good resting point before we start the switchbacks to get over the ridge line. At the ridge line before we drop into Reavis Canyon, depending on the time, we will rest and maybe have lunch. At this point the terrain switches from desert scrub to pine forest. We will now follow Reavis Trail down into the old ranch, crossing Reavis Creek a couple of times. In the open meadows, by the junction with the Fire Line Trail, we will set up our camp by the creek and rest. Reavis Ranch has water, an apple orchard, and is cool. If the fire danger is low we can have an apple/pine wood fire. Reavis will be 20 degrees cooler than Phoenix so a light jacket may feel good at night. The high mountain flowers and/or apple trees may be in bloom, so bring your camera. On Sunday we will hike to Circle Stone. Circle Stone is an Indian ruin that has a good view to the East and West. It is 2 miles and 1000 feet higher than Reavis. We will have lunch at Circle Stone, so you will have plenty of time to explore. This is also the only place your cell phone will work. On the return, if we have time we will continue past our camp site on the Reavis Trail out to where the ranch house was and see how the apples are doing. Option 2 is to hike up to Circle Stone late in the day, because we are close to the equinox, the stone paths will align to the sun set and moon rise. We then come down under the mostly full moon. Full moon is March 23. Depending on how high the bushes are, we could see the lights of Phoenix and Globe. On Monday we will do a fun hike out to Windy Pass and look down on Apache Lake. On the way back we will take a short side trip on Reavis Gap, which runs out to Roosevelt Lake. This is the path the Arizona Trail uses to get to the bridge, so it can cross the Salt River. Somewhere on the trail we will do lunch, before heading back to the camp site. On Tuesday we will hike out and should be at our vehicles by a little after lunch time. Have the lunch we left at the vehicles and then return to Phoenix. • Distance: 6 + 4 + 5 + 6 miles • Time: 4 days • Elevation Gain: +-1000' maximum per day • On trail: 100% — Reavis Trail & Circle Stone Trail • Difficulty: "C+" Rate yourself as a hiker. • Type: In and out on the same trail. • Starting From: Rogers Trough Trailhead • Dogs allowed: no • Cost: Sharing gas expenses with the driver. The club also allows voluntary contributions of $5 per 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. We will leave promptly at 7:15 AM. No cars may be left at Home Depot. • Drive:
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