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PERALTA CANYON
Superstition Wilderness
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| Weaver's Needle viewed from Lone Pine lookout |
A hike up Peralta Canyon Trail #102 in the Superstition
Wilderness just might be the longest 2 miles you'll ever trek. This is because the hike is an
unrelenting uphill slog through desert scrub and slick rock chutes that begins
immediately after departing the trailhead and does not quit until the trail
tops out at the 2-mile point on the Fremont Saddle. Here, up-close views of
Weaver's Needle-- the area's most recognizable pillar of rock---deliver a
generous ROI for the sweaty haul. The saddle is a popular place to take a break
and decide whether to continue hiking downhill another 2.6 miles to the end of
trail #102 or back track for a 4-miler.
Another option involves hiking on well-worn social trails to the lone pine
tree visible on a ridge to the right (east) of the Needle. This side trip adds
1-mile round trip. Anyway you hike
it, Peralta Trail is an ideal way to burn off those extra holiday calories and
a terrific place to introduce out-of-town visitors to the beautiful Supes.
LENGTH TO FREMONT SADDLE: 4 miles round-trip
LENGTH WITH SIDE TRIP TO THE TREE: 5 miles roundtrip
RATING: moderate
ELEVATION: 2,400 –
3,800 feet
GETTING THERE: From
Phoenix, take US 60 east to about 8 miles past Apache Junction and look for the
“Peralta Trailhead” sign on the side of the road. Turn left onto Peralta Road
(Forest Road 77) and drive 8 miles to the trailhead. NOTE: FR 77 is good dirt
and passable by sedan. There are nice restrooms but no water at the trailhead.
The parking lot fills up quickly on weekends, so plan to arrive early or park
in the overflow lot. NO FEES.
