Arizona hike: Peralta Trail, Superstition Wilderness

Hiking blogger Mare Czinar likes nothing better than to hit the trail. You can find more of her news and recommendations at arizonahiking.blogspot.com.

A hike up Peralta Canyon Trail in the Superstition Wilderness might be the longest 2 miles you'll ever trek. The hike is an unrelenting uphill slog through desert scrub and slickrock chutes that begins immediately after departing the trailhead and does not quit until the trail tops out at the 2-mile point on Fremont Saddle.

Here, up-close views of Weavers Needle — the area's most recognizable pillar of rock — deliver a generous return on investment 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 the trail or back track to the parking lot for a 4-mile outing. 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 hike adds 1 mile round trip.

Any way you hike it, Peralta Trail is an ideal place to burn off those extra holiday calories and introduce out-of-town visitors to the beautiful Superstition.

Length:

Four miles round trip to Fremont Saddle; 5 miles round trip to the pine tree.

Rating: Moderate.

Elevation: 2,400-3,800 feet.

Where: From Phoenix, take U.S. 60 east about 8 miles past Apache Junction and look for the Peralta Trailhead sign on the right side of the road. Turn left on Peralta Road (Forest Road 77) and drive 8 miles to the trailhead. FR77 is good dirt and passable by sedan. There are restrooms but no water at the trailhead. The parking lot fills quickly on weekends, so arrive early or park in the overflow lot and walk a short distance to the trailhead.

Details:www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tonto/specialplaces/?cid=fsbdev3 _018739.