Superstition Mountains

How to Get There

How to Get There: From Phoenix take I-10 East. After 24 miles keep right at the fork to continue on US-60 E, follow signs for Mesa - Globe/Mesa/Globe, follow signs for Mesa - Globe/Mesa/Globe. Take exit 196 for AZ-88 E/Idaho Rd. Continue driving north past Lost Dutchman State Park where Apache Trail begins.

Overview

The Superstition Mountains are the jagged, rugged landmark east of Phoenix and Apache Junction, rising about 3,000 feet above the Salt River Valley and anchoring the Superstition Wilderness Area. They are famous for the legend of the Lost Dutchman’s Gold Mine, one of the most enduring tales of the Old West, and for their hiking, horseback riding and climbing. The mountain formed from volcanic eruptions 18–20 million years ago.

Things to Do

• Lost Dutchman State Park: a 320-acre park about 40 miles east of Phoenix on U.S. 60 with camping and trailheads on the mountain’s west side.
• Siphon Draw Trail: a popular hike to the “Flatiron,” a ship-bow-shaped ridge. The last mile is a steep boulder scramble, ending with a class 4 scramble called “The Wall.”
• Superstition Ridgeline Trail: an 8-mile remote route from the Flatiron to Peralta Trailhead, marked only by cairns.
• Peralta Canyon: a popular hike to Fremont Saddle.
• Weavers Needle: a 1,000-foot volcanic plug, key to Lost Dutchman treasure stories, which experienced climbers can climb in four pitches. Mountain bikes are not allowed in the wilderness.
• Rock climbing: The Hand (Praying Hands) and Crying Dinosaur near Lost Dutchman State Park.

Nearby, Goldfield Ghost Town is at the mountain’s western base.

This article uses material from the Wikipedia article "Superstition Mountains", "Lost Dutchman State Park", "Peralta Canyon", and "Weavers Needle", which is released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0