Peralta Trail - 12.4 Miles Round-Trip

The Peralta Trail runs 6.2 miles along the southwest side of the Superstition Wilderness. It passes through two diversely vegetated canyons capped by Weavers Needle, an iconic 4553' spire that towers over the landscape.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

The trail climbs 1360' in just 2.2 miles to Fremont Saddle, past which crowds thin on a more gradual descent through Boulder Canyon to the Dutchman Trail split.

Visitors will enjoy varied terrain, terrific views from Fremont Saddle and useful insight to the canyons' complex volcanic origin:

The trail begins at the mouth of Peralta Canyon and climbs steadily on a rugged, heavily vegetated path. Oak and mesquite envelop portions of the trail along the canyon's seasonally flowing creek.

Brush recedes and grades steepen past 1 mile (2,902') with a chance to study columns of volcanic rock needles that top the canyon walls.

At 1.7 miles (3,428') you'll cross (right) over seasonal pools and resume a steep, shifting course through open rock and cacti gardens on the east side of the canyon. Note the prevalence of agave and contrasting light and dark rock in the upper canyon.

Light rock on this section is welded tuff, a composite of hot volcanic ash and cinder that fell back to earth and lithified. The dark needles above are remnants of magma columns that solidified under ground and were exposed through differential erosion.

The trail crests on Fremont Saddle (2.2 miles : 3,754') with dramatic views north of Weavers Needle, Boulder Canyon and a labyrinth of washes, mesas, buttes and peaks in the backcountry.

Here it tilts downhill on the west side of upper Boulder Canyon through comparatively sparse hillsides. Note the absence of saguaro in favor of yucca, grasses and jojoba.

The trail follows Boulder Canyon Creek past several backcountry campsites, which are generally located in level pockets of vegetation by the creek.

You'll pass a campsite at 4.3 miles (2,944') and climb 118' to another crest with expanding views across the backcountry (4.8 miles : 3,062').

The trail resumes a more direct descent before rolling to the east side of a divisive ridge in the canyon (5.55 miles : 2,787'). It runs quickly down the east side of the ridge with a great look at Black Top Mesa.

A final twist leads to the Peralta - Dutchman Trail junction on the floor of Boulder Canyon (6.2 miles : 2,493'). Return the way you came, or form a loop by taking the Dutchman Trail to the Terrapin and Bluff Spring trails back to the trailhead.

Though comparable in distance, this loop option is arguably more challenging, with several steep climbs and vague sections along the way.