DUTCHMAN'S-BLACK MESA-SECOND WATER LOOP
Superstition Wilderness
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| Recent rains wet the washes: Dec. 22, 2012 |
So, now that we've survived the Mayan calendar end of the
world scenario, let's take a step back in time to reflect on what a fire and brimstone extinction event might have looked like. Fortunately, we can hike on the slag of
just such a cataclysm---just pick any trail in the western Superstition
Wilderness.
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| Weavers Needle |
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| Stepping out on Dutchman's Trail |
Between 25 and 15 million years ago, the craggy outback we
know as the "Supes” was a churning cauldron of molten rock and white-hot
volcanic cinders. Here, the
earth-borne violence was on the scale of what geologists call "super
volcanoes"---incomprehensibly massive eruptive forces that spewed ash over
thousands of miles. As the firestorms
wound down, the volcanoes collapsed to form a chain of deep depressions known
as calderas. Today, what remains
of this maelstrom is a tumultuous landscape of bizarre hoodoos and eroded
pillars of fused ejecta called "welded tuff". Although this type of geology does not
produce prime pickings for gold hunters, myths that the Lost Dutchman's Mine (and its rich cache) is hidden in this wilderness persist--adding colorful lore to the stark, rugged landscape. First Water Trailhead is the major
gateway to the western edge of Superstitions providing access to major hiking
routes that crisscross the 160,200-acre badlands. A relatively mild way to experience the guts of this terrain
in a day hike is to make a loop with Dutchman's, Black Mesa, and Second Water
trails. The loop moves among some
of the Supe's most awe-inspiring landmarks---deeply incised canyons of igneous
rock, Yellow Peak (3061') and the area's signature feature, 4553' Weaver's
Needle. Contrary to what many
people think, the needle is not a volcanic plug. It's just eroding tuff like most everything else around it. So
hike soundly fellow trekkers, Weaver's Needle will not pelt our trails in a
fury of molten rock. We'll have to
settle to marvel in its deterioration as it slowly crumbles to dust over the
next 100 million years.
HIKE DIRECTIONS:
From the trailhead, follow the access path 0.3 mile to the
Dutchman's Trail #104 junction.
Veer right (south) and follow #104 3.9 miles to the Black Mesa Trail
#241 junction. Turn left
(northwest) here and continue 3.0 miles on #241 to the Second Water Trail #236
junction, turn left (south) and follow #236 1.5 miles back to the Dutchman's
junction, turn right and hike 0.3 mike back to the trailhead.
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| Hoodoos |
LENGTH: 9-mile
loop
RATING:
easy-moderate
ELEVATION:
2,270' - 2,750'
FACILITIES:
restrooms, map kiosk
FEE: NONE at First Water trailhead.
GETTING THERE:
From Phoenix, go east on US60 to the Idaho Road (SR88)
exit. Turn left and follow Idaho
to SR88 and turn right. Follow
SR88 to First Water Road (FR78), which is located about a half mile past the
entrance to Lost Dutchman State Park (between mileposts 201-202) and signed for
First Water Trailhead. Turn right on FR78 and go 2.6 miles to the trailhead.
INFO: Mesa Ranger District, Tonto National Forest,
480-610-3300
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