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Superstition Mountains, Arizona (View Photos):
East of Phoenix, the craggy Superstition Mountains rise precipitously from the desert floor. This mountain range is part of the Sonoran Desert and you can expect to find many of the plants common to this ecosystem like saguaro cactus, cholla cactus, agave, and yucca to name just a few. As expected, the climate is mainly dry and hot although rain and even snow are not uncommon in winter, especially at the higher elevations.
Due to their proximity to the sprawling Phoenix metropolitan area, the Superstition Mountains receive heavy recreational use and the hiking trails can be quite crowded. But if you find yourself in the area with a few days to spare, be sure to explore the network of hiking trails that wind their way through these picturesque mountains. Once every few years, enough rain falls in the area to create ideal conditions for a Spring wildflower bonanza.
The Apache Trail Scenic Byway (Arizona route 88) straddles the Superstition Mountains, featuring as it does some attention-grabbing examples of Sonoran Desert geology. The drive skirts the top of gaping Fish Creek Canyon and then drops down to Fish Creek along a series of hair-raising switchbacks. From there it passes through saguaro-studded mountains and cliffs, and a group of artificial lakes or man-made reservoirs.
Recommended Day Hikes:
Peralta Canyon Trail (to the Fremont Saddle) - Tonto National Forest
Round Trip Length: 4.4 miles
Trailhead location: Starting from Apache Junction (near Phoenix), drive east on Arizona 60 for 8.5 miles. Turn left
onto Peralta Rd. and drive about 7 miles on a partially rough dirt road (OK for passenger cars) to the trailhead
parking lot
Level of Difficulty: Moderate to Strenuous
Attractions: This trail climbs up Peralta Canyon to Fremont Saddle, a flat, high-elevation section of the hike with excellent
views into the rugged Superstition Wilderness, including Weaver's Needle, a 4,553 ft. volcanic plug that
dominates the skyline. Turn around when you reach Fremont Saddle
Siphon Draw/Prospector's View/Treasure Loop combination trail - Tonto National Forest/Lost Dutchman State Park
Round Trip Length: about 3.5 miles
Trailhead location: Take Arizona 60 to the Apache Trail Highway (route 88). A few miles down the Apache Trail,
there is a sign for a turnoff to Lost Dutchman State Park. The trailhead starts from the park's main day-use area
Level of Difficulty: Moderate
Attractions: Spectacular views of Superstition Mountain, a regal monolith that appears more like a jagged escarpment than
a mountain, albeit one with a striking outline. Hikers can take the Siphon Draw trail right up to a high ridge known
as the "flatiron", but this particular hike loops back to the trailhead via the Prospector's View and Treasure Loop trails
Recommended Points of Interest:
Lost Dutchman State Park (this park provides the best access to majestic Superstition Mountain); Fish Creek
Canyon (located on Arizona Route 88); Tonto National Monument (this is a prehistoric Indian cliff
dwelling located on Arizona Route 88)
Helpful travel tips and observations
This is a mountain wilderness best explored during the "off-season" due to uncomfortably high summer temperatures
and an arid climate.
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More Photos: Page 1 > Page 2 > Page 3
Superstition Mountain from the Siphon Draw Trail, Lost Dutchman State Park, (March 2006)
Superstition Mountain from the Siphon Draw Trail, Superstition Wilderness, (March 2006)
Superstition Mountain from the Siphon Draw Trail, Superstition Wilderness, (March 2006)
The "flatiron" from the Siphon Draw Trail, Superstition Wilderness, (March 2006)
The stone ramparts of Superstition Mountain from the Prospector's View Trail, Lost Dutchman State Park, (March 2006)
Superstition Mountains scenery from the Prospector's View Trail, Lost Dutchman State Park, (March 2006)
Superstition Mountains scenery from the Prospector's View Trail, Lost Dutchman State Park, (March 2006)
Superstition Mountains scenery from the Prospector's View Trail, Lost Dutchman State Park, (March 2006)
