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This hike is from the First Water Trailhead in the Superstition Wilderness south to the Peralta Trailhead. It's 11.5 miles one way and 6 to 7 hours so it's most often done as either a car shuttle or key exchange hike. The total shuttle mileage starting from US-60 and Idaho Road interchange in Apache Junction is 80 miles so a key exchange hike is best. There are five junctions with other trails on this hike so make sure you have a good map of the Superstition Wilderness with you. I know of one person who left a bike at one trailhead and rode the bike back to his car at the other.
The hike can be done starting from either end. We started from the north end at First Water Trailhead. The hike heads south 0.3 miles to the signed junction of the Dutchman and First Water trails. Keep to the right and head south on the Dutchman trail. You'll soon get your first glimpses of Weaver's Needle. Great views of Weavers Needle from the north, west and south is one of the prime reasons for doing this hike. After hiking 4.2 miles, you'll reach the first of four closely spaced junctions between the Dutchman Trail and other trails. The first is the Black Mesa trail. The Boulder Canyon trail is only 0.1 miles farther. Another 0.2 miles brings you to the Bull Pass trail. After another 0.8 miles, you'll reach the Peralta Trail. (The sign may call it the Peralta Canyon Trail). Take the Peralta Trail which will immediately start climbing out of the creekbed to the west. After a couple of switchbacks, you'll soon be headed south. You'll have great views of Weavers Needle as you approach and pass it's west side. After passing Weaver's Needle, there's a little shade and a camping spot southwest of the needle at Pinon Camp. Now you'll start climbing the north side of Freemont Saddle. Stop there, take a break and enjoy your last view of Weaver's Needle and the hoodoos on the skyline to the west. It's almost all downhill from Fremont Saddle to the Peralta Trailhead. |
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