1.1 miles in length. An easy hike up to an area with Indian petroglyphics. Trail begins at the Forest boundary. Access to this point is across State Trust land and private land. Respect private property rights.

2.0 miles in length. The east portion is an old mining road. The west portion provides access to Fraser Canyon and the Coffee Flat Trail 108. Elevation: between 3,120 feet and 3,850 feet. Termini: Trail 108 and Road 172A.

3.6 miles in length. This trail was impacted by bulldozers fighting the Iron Burn of 1966. Sections of this trail have serious erosion damage and the eastern section is very steep. It is Not recommended for horses. Elevation: between 4,400 feet and 5,480 feet. Termini: Trail 109 and Trail 213.

1.6 miles in length. A steep, eroded trail that provides a route between Boulder Basin and LaBarge Canyon. Elevation: between 2,280 feet and 2,750 feet. Termini: Trail 104 and Trail 104 again.

2.9 miles in length. An interesting trail on the east side of Weaver's Needle. Portions are steep, eroded and difficult to follow. Elevation: between 2610 feet and 3,410 feet. Termini: Trail 235 and Trail 104.

3.4 miles in length. A heavily-used trail that is steep and rocky in spots; Not recommended for horses. Elevation: between 2,410 feet and 3,210 feet. Termini: Trail 104 a short distance from Peralta Trailhead and Trail 104 again near Bluff Spring.

3.3 miles in length. A heavily-used trail that passes through Garden Valley. Lowest elevation 1,940 feet; highest elevation 2,420 feet. Termini: Trail 104 near First Water Trailhead and Trail 103.

2.1 miles in length. An easy trail which drops into LaBarge Canyon. Elevation: between 1,940 feet and 2,420 feet. Termini: Trail 104 and Trail 107.

3.2 miles in length. Crosses from LaBarge Canyon to Boulder Canyon. May be difficult to locate at creek crossings. Elevation: between 2,080 feet and 2,450 feet. Termini: Trail 104 and Trail 103.

3.0 miles in length. Interesting views of Superstition Mountain. This is an easy trail except for the last section which is rocky and steep in spots. Elevation: between 2,270 feet and 2,750 feet. Termini: Trail 236 and Trail 104.

2.5 miles in length. Passes through wild little-visited country in the southeast corner of the Wilderness. Elevation: between 3,410 feet and 4,880 feet. Termini: Road 287A just east of Miles Ranch and Trail 203.

0.4 miles in length. A short connecting trail in the north fork of Paradise Canyon. Elevation: between 4,400 feet and 4,780 feet. Termini: Trail 109 and Trail 112.

6.2 miles in length. One of the more heavily-used trails in the state of Arizona. From Peralta Trailhead to Fremont Saddle, the trail is often down to bed-rock and provides difficult footing. Not recommended for horses. Elevation: between 2,400 feet and 3,760 feet. Termini: Peralta Trailhead (Road 77) and Trail 104.

7.3 miles in length. A rough but interesting trail providing several scenic vistas. Part is located adjacent to Boulder Creek, and the stream crossings are subject to flooding. Not recommended for horses due to rocks. Elevation: between 1,680 feet and 2,300 feet. Termini: Canyon Lake Trailhead (Highway 88) and Trail 104.

7.0 miles in length, with some excellent vistas. Parts are vague and a little difficult to follow. Elevation: between 3,100 feet and 3,800 feet. Termini: Tortilla Trailhead (Road 213) and Trail 104

7.6 miles in length. An interesting trail linking the western and central parts of the Wilderness. Section in Randolph and Fraser Canyon is subject to heavy flood damage. Elevation: between 2,350 feet and 3,120 feet. Termini: Trail 104 and Trail 114 (near JF Headquarters).

4.5 miles in length. A scenic trail with a lot of creek crossings. Portions are steep and can be difficult for horses. The segment in Rogers Canyon is subject to heavy flood damage. Elevation: between 3,680 feet and 4,600 feet. Termini: Trail 109 and Trail 106 at Tortilla Pass.

4.0 miles in length. A little-used trail named after an old-time local rancher. Some sections may be overgrown and difficult to follow. Elevation: between 3,200 feet and 3,920 feet. Termini: Trail 106 south of Tortilla Trailhead and Trail 107.

6.8 miles in length. A very scenic but little-used trail. Eastern section is old roadway; southern section is difficult (with one very steep part), and is Not recommended for horses. Section in Rogers Canyon is subject to heavy flood damage. Elevation: between 3,300 feet and 4,820 feet. Termini: Trail 109 and Trail 110.

4.7 miles in length. An interesting but rocky trail (with good views). Section east of Reavis Gap is very steep. Elevation: between 3,280 feet and 5,250 feet. Termini: Trail 256 (near Campaign Trailhead) and Trail 109.

4.5 miles in length. This trail provides access into the northeastern portion of the Wilderness. Much of the trail is steep and rocky, but views are excellent. Elevation: between 2,800 feet and 4,800 feet. Termini: Tule Trailhead (Road 449) and Trail 119

4.8 miles in length. A rough trail that follows Rock Creek through the southeast corner of the Wilderness. Subject to flood damage from Rock Creek. Elevation: between 3,440 feet and 4,600 feet. Termini: 212 near Miles Ranch Trailhead, Road 650.

7.8 miles in length. Passes through wild little- visited country. Northern portion is in fair shape, but eastern end is difficult to follow. East of the Tony Ranch is an area Not recommended for horses. Elevation: between 3,200 feet and 4,900 feet. Termini: Road 287A southeast of Miles Ranch and Road 287.

4.0 miles in length. Climbs to a little-visited but interesting basin. Elevation: between 3,560 feet and 5,100 feet. Termini: Trail 195 and Trail 203.

4.6 miles in length. Parallels Spencer Spring Canyon and is subject to flooding. Parts are difficult to locate and steep. Elevation: between 3,660 feet and 5,000 feet. Termini: Trail 212 and Road 650.

6.0 miles in length. A easy-to-follow trail that is rarely visited. South section is very steep and may be overgrown. Elevation: between 3,680 feet and 4,600 feet. Termini: Trail 305 and Trail 212.

18.2 miles in length. A long trail that meanders through the Wilderness, intersecting many other trails. Generally in good condition, but parts are heavily used. Lowest elevation 2,280 feet; highest elevation 3,250 feet. Termini: Peralta Trailhead (Road 77) and First Water Trailhead (Road 78).

10.2 miles in length. A main north-south trail named after Jack Fraser -pioneer cattleman in this area. Elevation: between 3,250 feet and 4,560 feet. Termini: Woodbury Trailhead (Road 172) and Tortilla Trailhead (Road 213).

8.9 miles in length. Portions are rough and difficult to follow. The section through the upper LaBarge Box is steep and narrow, and is definitely Not recommended for horses. Elevation: between 2,600 feet and 3,680 feet. Termini: Trail 108 and Trail 104.

15.3 miles in length. The northern 2/3rds of this trail is the old roadway to a former homestead. Southern section crosses the Iron Burn of 1966 (partially reburned in 1984). Elevation: between 3,620 feet and 5,360 feet. . Termini: Reavis Trailhead (Road 212) and Rogers Trough Trailhead (Road 172A).

8.3 miles in length. A scenic trail in one of the least visited parts of the Wilderness. Parts are rocky, overgrown and/or difficult to follow. Elevation: between 4,200 feet and 4,900 feet. Termini: Road 83 near Pinyon Mountain and Trail 117.

9.0 miles in length. A scenic trail mostly located in the west fork of Pinto Creek. Steep grades on portions near Iron Mountain. This east section is in the canyon bottom which is subject to flooding and may be difficult to follow. Elevation: between 3,440 feet and 5,500 feet. Termini: Miles Ranch Trailhead (Road 287A) and Trail 109 near Rogers Trough Trailhead.

8.5 miles in length. A little-used trail that traverses an isolated area in the east end of the Wilderness. Elevation: between 3,680 feet and 5,320 feet. Termini: Trail 212 and Road 306.

This area ranges in elevation from approximately 2,000 feet along its western boundary, to 6,265 feet at Mound Mountain. In the western portion, rolling country is surrounded by very steep, often vertical terrain. In the central and eastern portion of the wilderness, the terrain is less radical. A great variety of slopes and conditions can be found, and travel is often restricted to established trails and travel ways.

One nationally-known topographic feature is"Weaver's Needle," a weathered volcanic plug that rises to an altitude of 4,553 feet. The Superstition Mountain itself is a well-known feature that is clearly visible from the City of Apache Junction, where it is regularly photographed and painted.

Much of the western portion of the Wilderness lies within the Sonoran Desert Scrub vegetative type. Higher, less harsh conditions prevail and good stands of semi-desert grasses and shrubs are found. Higher still the Chaparral type is found. These brush stands cover hundreds of acres and are often quite dense. Unexpectedly, several pockets of ponderosa pine are found at the highest elevations.

This area ranges in elevation from approximately 2,000 feet along its western boundary, to 6,265 feet at Mound Mountain. In the western portion, rolling country is surrounded by very steep, often vertical terrain. In the central and eastern portion of the wilderness, the terrain is less radical. A great variety of slopes and conditions can be found, and travel is often restricted to established trails and travel ways.

One nationally-known topographic feature is"Weaver's Needle," a weathered volcanic plug that rises to an altitude of 4,553 feet. The Superstition Mountain itself is a well-known feature that is clearly visible from the City of Apache Junction, where it is regularly photographed and painted.

The geological situation within these mountains is quite complex, and can only be touched upon there.

During the tertiary period, there was much disturbance and turbulence on the earth's crust due to the active flow of lava from many volcanoes. It was during this period that the Superstitions were formed. The altered lava flows, which are mostly dacite tuff and agglomerate, were deposited on deeply eroded Pre-Cambrian granite. Some pinal schist that is older than the Pre-Cambrian granite can be found. The Superstition Range is composed of heavily weathered tuff, ash, and lavas usually exposed at higher elevations. This gives rise to a thin, fine-textured, easily eroded soil.

Geologically, this area has a low potential for mineralization; despite this, it has been gone over hundreds of times by people sure they are on the trail of "a lost mine of fabulous wealth!"

At the lower elevations, the climate can be a challenging adversary during the summer months when temperatures may reach over 115 degrees F. in the shade (with very little shade available). Compounding the problem is a general lack of potable water.

On the other hand, the climate during the fall and spring can be quite inviting and pleasant. At higher elevations, cooler temperatures prevail and snow is not uncommon.

You should be aware that intense rainstorms can occur at any elevation, and flash flooding can be expected and must be prepared for.

The weather graphs below are for general information purposes. The average temperatures may be extrapolated to other elevations by adding or subtracting a general change of 3.5 F. per 1,000 feet of elevation gain/loss.

Only remnants of the wild lands that witnessed the early growth of Arizona can still be found. Some of these untamed lands have been set aside for the people of this country to use and enjoy as National Forests (first called Forest Reserves). This particular area was first established as a Forest Reserve in 1908.

As the uses of National Forests grew and intensified, there was again concern that selected small areas should be preserved in a natural condition, before no such areas remained. The Forest Service and concerned citizens, under the leadership of Aldo Leopold, established such a classification system in the early 1920's. This area was established as the Superstition Primitive Area by the Chief of the Forest Service in February 1939. It was upgraded to a wilderness classification in April 1940.

Later, the United States Congress became aware of and interested in the concepts of wilderness preservation pioneered by the Forest Service. After considerable debate, a bill was passed, and on September 3, 1964, the President signed it into law, creating the National Wilderness Preservation System. The Superstition Wilderness was one of the areas identified as a part of the system at that time, thereby assuring that a small but important part of our exceptional state would remain basically unchanged except by the forces of nature. On August 28, 1984, the Arizona Wilderness Act added some 35,000 acres to that originally designated, giving the Superstition Wilderness its present size and shape.

Hundreds of years before this happened, Native Americans were making their homes adjacent to and even within this area. The earliest known such use was by hunting and gathering groups making forays from nearby river valleys in 700 or 800 A.D. The area was later colonized by agricultural villagers known today as Hohokam. After about 1200 A.D., new forms of architecture and culture were adopted by these groups; this"new" cultural tradition is usually called Salado by archeologists.

Between 1200 and 1400 A.D. the Salado occupied a number of areas within this Wilderness. The broken terrain and other related factors kept most of their villages and the few cliff dwellings quite small. There has recently been speculation that one of their hill forts may have functioned as a calendric observatory, however, much remains to be learned about all aspects of this culture.

By 1400 A.D., various economical and political stresses caused the downfall of prehistoric civilizations throughout most of Arizona. For the next century or more, the Wilderness became what the early Spanish explorers called a "despoblado" or depopulated area. The Pima Indians of the Salt-Gila Basin did, however, continue to hunt and visit the area. After about 1500 A.D., the south-eastern Yavapai occupied this area. From that time until the arrival of the Americans in the middle 1800's, these mountains (call Wikichitauwa by its inhabitants) were almost exclusively Yavapai territory. Although frequent references to the Apaches in the Superstitions are heard, they actually made little use of this area. Much of the confusion probably resulted from the tendency of most Anglos in the Southwest to label all Indians "apache."

The first Europeans to have visited this area were the Spanish exploration parties who passed within a few miles of it in 1539 and 1540 enroute to Zuni. After Mexico achieved its independence from Spain in 1821, this entire area was essentially abandoned by Europeans except for occasional military patrols. Americans began filtering into the area after it became U.S. territory after the end of the Mexican-American War in 1848.

The 1870's and 1880's were boom times for this part of central Arizona, with substantial mining activity around the edge of the Superstition volcanic field. Despite legends of lost gold mines and buried treasures, however, no mines were ever developed within the Superstitions themselves.

The most famous tales revolve around mines (developed by the Peralta family of Sonora, Mexico), that are said to have been "rediscovered" by a German itinerant mine laborer known as Jacob Waltz. Several books deal with this and associated legends.

Several ranches were established in and around the Superstitions; they supplied beef to the military and to the mining towns of Silver King and Pinal. Old timers agree that the range was fully stocked by about 1890. Issuing grazing permits and control of livestock numbers were begun by the Forest Service when this area became a "Forest Reserve" in 1908. Two parcels of land were homesteaded: The "Miles Ranch" in the southeast corner of the Wilderness which was patented in 1921, and the "Reavis Ranch" which was patented in 1917 and subsequently purchased by the U.S. Government in 1966. The "Reavis Ranch" is named after a man dubbed by local newspapers "Hermit of the Superstitions": Elisha M. Reavis who lived in this secluded valley in the late 1800's.

As you visit this wilderness, you may come across evidence of these long-gone times. We invite you to enjoy this aspect of your past, but remind you that all artifacts are protected by Federal law, and excavation or removal is strictly prohibited.