BLACK MESA LOOP

BLACK MESA LOOP

The Black Mesa Loop is a great 10 mile day hike in the Superstition Mountains. The loop provides unique Desert vistas and many spectacular views of Weaver's Needle.

Directions to Trailhead

Trailhead is First Water. Take SR88 from Apache Junction for 5.3 miles to FR 78 just past Lost Dutchman State Park. Turn right onto FR 78 and follow for 2.6 miles to the end of the road where there is a large parking lot. There is a fee for parking, please remember to pay to help keep the facilities open.

Hiking the Loop

I took the loop in a clockwise direction by starting at the First Water trailhead and following the Dutchman #104 trail for .4 miles to the first trail sign. At the trail separation sign I went left on the Second Water #236 trail. Second Water trial follows a small incline and the drops into Garden Valley, a flat expanse with many trees and plants - a true garden in the desert.

In Garden Valley at about 1.9 miles from the trailhead, you come to the junction for the Black Mesa Trail #241. Take the Black Mesa #241 trail on the right and follow a total of 3.0 miles. The Black Mesa #241 trial climbs gently at first along a ridge and then becomes steeper as you near the top of Black Mesa at an elevation of 2750 feet. The Black Mesa Trail then cuts through a dense cholla forest on top of the mesa and descends steeply down towards Boulder Creek, just before the junction with the Dutchman Trail #104. As you are descending, you have spectacular views of Weaver's Needle.

At the junction of Black Mesa and Ducthman Trails take the Dutchman Trail #104 to the right as the trail turns north then west climbing over Parker Pass. From Parker Pass, it is only 2.5 miles to the trailhead and you will cross First Water Creek several times en route.