Arizona Trailblazers Hiking Club
Parker Pass Plus Day Hike
| when |
Trip Report :
October 24, 2020
|
| |
Trip Report :
March 3, 2018
|
| where |
Superstition Wilderness |
| the hike |
Starting from First Water Trailhead, take the Dutchman’s Trail southeast to
Parker Pass. The trail crosses two tributaries of First Water Creek, then crosses the
creek five times. Parker Pass features white rocks marking the north end of
Tim’s Saddle Trail.
Then you have three options. See the Map.
| 1. |
Turn around and walk back to First Water Trailhead with me on the
Dutchman’s Trail (red route, total of 5 miles).
|
| 2. |
Keep going and complete the Black Mesa Loop before returning to First Water Trailhead
(red and blue routes, total of 9 miles).
|
| 3. |
Keep going and hike both the Black Mesa Loop and the Hackberry Spring Loop before
returning to First Water Trailhead (red, blue, and green routes, total of 12 miles).
|
The club limits group size to 10 (in each group). I will need deputy leaders for options 2 and 3.
|
| distance |
5 miles (short), 9 miles (middlin’), 12 miles (long) |
| time |
3-7 hours |
| EC |
+-500' (short), +-1300' (middlin’), +-1600' (long) |
| elevations |
2051' (near Hackberry Spring) to 2760' (Black Mesa) |
| type |
round trip or loop |
| starting at |
| First Water Trailhead |
33° 28.781' N, 111° 26.521' W [NAD27]
|
|
| on trail |
100% —
Dutchman’s, Black Mesa, Hackberry Spring Trails |
| rating |
"C" (short) or "B-"
(middlin’) or "B"
(long)
Rate yourself as a hiker. |
| dogs allowed |
no |
| cost |
The club allows voluntary contributions of $5 per non-member. |
| weather |
Apache Junction |
| meet |
7:00 AM at First Water Trailhead. |
| 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 2.6 miles to the trailhead. First
Water Road is unpaved and not graded often enough, but I have driven it in a
sedan. |
|