2018 Arizona Official State Visitor's Guide - 6

TREKKING ARIZONA

ARIZONA TRAIL

SECTION
SUPERSTITION
WILDERNESS * 29.4 MILES
This passage heads into the
Superstition Wilderness, protecting a fierce mountain
range on the eastern edge
of the Valley of the Sun. The
Supes, as they're known locally, are rugged, untamed and
drenched in legend-blame it
on the Dutchman's elusive
gold. Tales of the Lost Dutchman Mine began luring treasure hunters in the late 19th
century with rumors of hidden gold and deathbed directions. Several men died under
mysterious circumstances
while seeking the mine.
Visitors today are more
l i ke l y t o e n c o u n t e r s u n screen-slathered hikers than
grizzled prospectors. The trail
first descends into Rogers
Canyon, then angles northeast toward Reavis Saddle

TAKE A HIKE
Keep those boots laced up
and discover more hiking
trails at Arizona's 35 state
parks. Find the closest park
to you at VisitArizona.com.

Superstition Wilderness, near Apache Junction
PHOTO BY MADISON KIRKMAN

and on to historic Reavis Ranch. Elisha Reavis was
another colorful character drawn to the Superstitions.
The bearded recluse established a lonely homestead
in the 1870s, growing vegetables that he occasionally packed out and sold in Phoenix and Florence. In
1896, his body was found on the trail, cause of death
unknown. He was buried on the spot, and the Arizona
Trail passes by the unmarked grave.
The ruins of the ranch are tucked away in a lovely
valley with pine trees, a shady creek and a remarkable middle-of-nowhere apple orchard. After leaving
the ranch, the trail climbs through Reavis Gap with
good views along the way. You'll pass Walnut Spring
and Cottonwood Spring. The trail emerges from Cottonwood Canyon, and you're soon tracing the edge
of mighty Roosevelt Lake past the marina and finally
crossing the water on Roosevelt Lake Bridge.

SECTION 19 SHORT VERSION
Superstition Wilderness
PHOTO BY MATT HAGE

6 Arizona 2018 Official State Visitor's Guide

Much of this passage is deep in the Superstitions and hard to
reach, but the easy hike along Roosevelt Lake is beautiful.



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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2018 Arizona Official State Visitor's Guide

https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/madden/az_ovg18
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/madden/az_ovg16
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/madden/az_ovg15
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/madden/az_ovg14
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/madden/az_ovg13
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/madden/az_ovg12
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/madden/az_ovg11
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/madden/az_ovg10
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