Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Black Mesa Overlook Day Hike
| when |
Trip Report :
December 1, 2001
|
| where |
Superstition Wilderness |
| the hike |
Black Mesa is an ancient lava flow covered with a dense forest of
jumping cholla (Opuntia fulgida). We’ll get there by way of Boulder
Basin and Parker Pass, then tread lightly around the cholla as we walk
off trail to the rim for an amazing overview of the Superstition
Wilderness. Return by way of Garden Valley and an archaeological
site of the Salado culture.
|
| distance |
10 miles |
| time |
7-8 hours |
| EC |
+-1100' elevation change |
| elevations |
2215' (First Water Creek) to 3097' (top of Black Mesa) |
| type |
loop |
| starting at |
| First Water Trailhead |
33° 28.781' N, 111° 26.521' W [NAD27]
|
|
| on trail |
90% — Dutchman’s, Black Mesa, and Second Water Trails |
| rating |
"B"
Rate yourself as a hiker. |
| 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 at
Red Mountain Park located at 7745 E. Brown Rd. in
Mesa (south side of Brown Road east of Power Road).
Directions from the Red Mountain Freeway (Loop 202):
| • |
Exit 26 (Brown Road). |
| • |
Go west on Brown a half mile to the light at Sterling Dr. |
| • |
Turn left (south) at Sterling into the park.
Then take the first left into the Palo Brea parking lot.
|
|
| drive |
| • |
East on Brown Road 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 2.6 miles to the trailhead. |
|