| when | Trip Report : February 19, 2022 | ||||||||
| where | Superstition Wilderness | ||||||||
| the hike |
Our destination is the iconic Weaver’s Needle and/or Lone Tree (Pine).
Lone Tree is a single Pinon Pine located on a ridge southwest of Weaver’s Needle. Weaver’s Needle is a tall rock formation named after an Arizona mountain man, Paulino Weaver. Legend tells of a Lost Gold Mine hidden within its shadow. The legend begins with the trail’s namesake, Don Miguel de Peralta. He allegedly constructed a mine and along with his crew, began extracting this precious metal out of the earth. They met their violent fates at Massacre Grounds where after many warnings to stop mining the land, the Apache tribe attacked and killed these men. Afterwards, the Apache sealed the gold mine forever and camouflaged it so that no one would be able to find it, keeping their land safe. Years later in the 1890s, Jacob Waltz (also known as “the Dutchman”) would claim to have found the mine. Although he passed away and did physically extract some gold. But he left no map and it has long been rumored that the mine can be found within the shadow. of Weaver’s Needle. The trail begins following the east side of the bottom of Peralta Canyon surrounded by thick grass and lush vegetation. Stunning rock formation rise to left as we climb back into the canyon. We stop for a short photo op about ½ mile from the trailhead, where a small waterfall flows into a pool. After a mile, we will stop to admire more rock formations and spectacular scenery back towards the trailhead. We begin to climb the canyon wall after 1.5 miles and shortly afterwards (2 miles) we begin a steep ascent to the saddle. Just before reaching the saddle, we will stop for a group photo next to some large boulders with a spectacular backdrop down the canyon. At the top of the saddle, the hiker is rewarded with a panoramic view of Weaver’s Needle, where we will take a break and plenty of photos. Lone Tree From Fremont Saddle cut across on Cave Trail (#233) about ¼ mile then turn north. Lone Tree is about ½ mile up the trail. Return to Fremont Saddle At this point the group can split up. One group can Return to Trailhead via Peralta Canyon. Weaver’s Needle The second group will descend the backside of the saddle about 1 mile. We travel down Boulder Canyon next to a stream flowing over sandstone and around chunks of volcanic ash for another mile to the junction of the Peralta bypass trail (cross cut trail to Bluff Springs Trail). We will stop for a break and hikers can opt to scramble up a steep (0.4 Mile 1000') incline to touch the base of Weaver’s Needle. I marked the way with cairns but be aware it is a treacherous climb (about a 30° rise). Return to Fremont Saddle then Return to Trailhead via Peralta Canyon. What to bring. • At least 3 liters of water • Good hiking boots • sunscreen • flashlight • snacks and camera |
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| distance | Lone Tree: 5.4 Miles Weaver’s Needle: 10.3 Miles |
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| time | 8-9 hours | ||||||||
| EC | Lone Tree: +-1463' elevation change Weaver’s Needle: +-3233' elevation change |
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| elevations | 2410' (Peralta Trailhead), 3766' (Fremont Saddle), Weaver’s Needle 4200', Lone Tree 3806' | ||||||||
| type | Out and Back | ||||||||
| starting at |
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| on trail | 85% — Peralta Canyon Trail | ||||||||
| rating | "A Weaver’s Needle, B Lone Tree" or "A" 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 | ||||||||
| leader | Email the leader to confirm. | ||||||||
| 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 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 make carpooling arrangements there. | ||||||||
| meet at Peralta |
8:00 AM at Peralta Trailhead. | ||||||||
| drive |
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| updated January 24, 2023 | © Copyright 2023, Arizona Trailblazers. All rights reserved. |