| when | Trip Report : March 26, 2022 | ||||||||
| where | Superstition Wilderness | ||||||||
| the hike |
Starting at the Peralta Trailhead, we take the Bluff Springs Trail (#235) and climb steeply
(nicknamed “Cardiac Hill”) for ½ mile. After the first ¼ mile,
we reach a ledge with a scenic view back towards the trailhead.
We continue climbing for another ¼ mile until we reach a ridge (about 400 feet up from the trailhead) looking down into Peralta Canyon on the west and Barks Canyon on the east with a view towards Miner’s Needle in the distance. Bark’s Canyon is named after Jim Bark, who was involved in the Barkley Basin/Circle U ranching operations. We climb another 200' to a small plateau lined with boulders and pause to catch our breath. We will head south towards the end of the plateau for a group shot with a spectacular panoramic view as a backdrop. We come to the junction with the Cave Trail (#233) and continue right (east) following the contour. We descend into Bark’s Canyon crossing a tributary of Bark’s creek. We travel up Bark’s Creek for about ½ mile then begin a climb NE passing in between 2 knolls. We will stop here for a short break and photo op. A short distance after passing the knolls we reach the junction with Terrapin Trail (#234). We continue north then east and enter Bluff Springs Canyon. We travel beside the creek criss crossing for about a mile to the Dutchman’s Trail #104 and Crystal Springs. We pass a remnant of the Ely Anderson Trail (used by miners to mule train ore). We head north about ¼ mile to the Bluff Springs cutoff and then head northwest up the drainage about 200 yards to the spring. We return by the same route. What to bring. • At least 3 liters of water • Sunglasses • Sunscreen • Snacks and camera |
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| distance | 6.7 miles | ||||||||
| time | 4-5 hours | ||||||||
| EC | +-1315' elevation change | ||||||||
| elevations | 2410' (Peralta Trailhead), 3045' Bluff Springs | ||||||||
| type | Out and back | ||||||||
| starting at |
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| on trail | 94% — Bluff Springs Trail | ||||||||
| 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. |
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| weather | Apache Junction | ||||||||
| meet in Mesa |
7:00 AM at Home Depot in east Mesa on the southeast corner of Power and US 60. Drive east on the Superstition Freeway (US 60) to Superstition Springs Blvd., exit 187. Take that exit, turn right, and go ½ 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 make carpooling arrangements there. | ||||||||
| meet at trailhead |
8:00 AM at the Peralta Trailhead | ||||||||
| drive |
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| updated April 14, 2022 | © Copyright 2022, Arizona Trailblazers. All rights reserved. |