Black Top Mesa • Hiking • Arizona • HikeArizona.COM

Rated

Region

Mine

Friends

Statistics
Difficulty 3 Route Finding 2
Distance Round Trip	11.4 miles
Trailhead Elevation	2,300 feet
Elevation Gain	1,006 feet
Accumulated Gain	1,558 feet
Avg Time Round Trip	5-6 hours
Interest Off Trail Hiking & Peak

Author joe bartels

	Descriptions 195
	Routes 471
	Photos 7,087
	Trips 1,933 map (10,089 Miles)
	Age 43
	Location Phoenix, AZ

Photos

2013-02-17

Black Mesa Loop - Superst

Darth Stiller

2013-02-17

Charlebois from First Wat

John9L

2013-02-17

Charlebois from First Wat

ZukerRach

2013-01-10

mnlumberjack

2012-12-28

chumley

2012-12-28

VolcanoCLMBR

2012-12-28

GOYAAH

2012-12-28

The Hippy

2012-12-15

Black Top Mesa / Charlebo

Tough_Boots

2012-12-15

Charlebois from Peralta T

John9L

2012-04-15

Marsh Valley Loop via Can

DaddyLongLegs

2012-03-16

Tortoise Hiker

Page 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

	Large Profile
	Forecast
	Historical Weather
	Radar

Map - Beartooth Superstition Wilderness

Forest Tonto
Wilderness Superstition
Backpack - Yes & Connecting
Seasons - Late Autumn to Early Spring

Official Route

Alternative Routes

Water

Nearby Hikes

Area Water Sources

direct air miles away to trailhead

0.0 •	Aylor's Arch
0.0 •	Battleship Mountain - Superstitions
0.0 •	Black Mesa Loop - Superstition Mtns
0.0 •	Charlebois from First Water TH
0.0 •	First Water TH to Canyon Lake
0.0 •	First Water TH to Peralta TH

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Culture

		Cartwheel
		HAZ PicMimic
		Inscriptions

Fauna

		Canyon Tree Frog
		Empress Leilia Butterfly
		Horned Lizard
		Mormon Metalmark
		Rattlesnake
		Red Spotted Toad
		Rock Squirrel
		Western Diamondback Rattlesnak
		Western Patch-nosed snake

Flora

		Agave varietals
		Blue Dicks
		Brittlebush
		Catclaw mimosa
		Chain Fruit Cholla
		Christmas Cholla
		Coulter's Lupine
		Fairy Duster
		Fountain Grass
		Hummingbird Trumpet
		Many-Headed Barrel Cactus
		Mariposa Lily
		Mexican Gold Poppy
		Ocotillo
		Saguaro
		Saguaro - Crested
		Sotol
		Strawberry Hedgehog
		Trailing Four O'Clock

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Superstition Triangle
by joe bartels

Mobile Version

Overview: FW Trailhead - 4.5 miles on the Dutchman Trail to Bull Pass junction. Follow Bull Pass Trail 0.6 miles to Bull Pass Saddle. Follow faint trail 0.6 miles to top of Black Top Mesa. Return same route.

Atop Black Top Mesa are some of the best overhead views of the western Superstitions. This is a pretty straight forward out and back hike. The trail starts at First Water Trailhead. Follow the Dutchman Trail for 4.5 miles to the Bull Pass junction. Turn left onto Bull Pass Trail. The trail crosses a creek bed immediately and is slightly overgrown. Without much ado the trail heads up 467 feet to Bull Pass Saddle. On the saddle you will see a "use" trail heading up to the right. This is the route you need to ascend Black Top Mesa. It's another 571 feet to the top.

From the Dutchman/Black Mesa junction to the top is about 1.2 miles. The ascent may seem steep due to fatigue from the previous 4 miles. It's really not too bad. The average grade of the ascent is approximately 18 degrees. For reference Camelback is steeper with an average grade of 23 degrees.

The Spanish Hieroglyphics are the main draw to the area. They're somewhere on the black rocks that line the southwest edge. I didn't see them. Then again I didn't look very thorough. I'd been excited to hike up the mesa all summer after looking at the 3D topos. The trail doesn't seem to get much mention anywhere. When it does get mentioned it's all about the hieroglyphics. My thoughts from the get go was the views would be incredible in all directions. They were pretty darn good all around. You might not be as excited if you don't know the area. The top is like a big slanted wheat field. I didn't see any campsites for the record. If that's your thing I'm sure you could make do in a couple places. I'd forget a campfire though! ( too much tall grass ) There isn't a high point with 360 views so you'll need to roam around. My photos include many of the views. Included is a head on view of the popular Weavers Needle. Check 'em out!

The weather was very warm for late October in the low 90's. When it cools down I'm sure I'll be back. A great alternative on the return would be Boulder Canyon Trail. This would add a few miles. Probably worth the extra effort if it's cool outside!
- Oct 20 2001 joe bartels

Directions

Preferred Months

Nov Dec Jan Feb

Water / Source:

none, possible seasonal creek

Preferred Start

9 AM

Cell Phone Signal

Yes

Sunrise

5:21am

Sunset

7:25pm

Road / Vehicle	FR / Dirt Road / Gravel - Car Okay
Fees / Permit	None Forest Tonto Pass is a forest wide permit for recreational sites and campgrounds. Typically not for trailheads.
Directions	Print Version To First Water Trailhead From Mesa follow Highway 60 East to Idaho Road. Turn North onto Idaho Road which is SR88 and follow North 2.2 miles. SR88 bends right just past Scenic St. and Idaho continues North. Be sure to go right and stay on SR88. Follow SR88 5.2 miles to the signed turnoff for First Water Trailhead, this is FR-78. Turn right on to FR-78 and follow 2.6 miles to the end. This trailhead feature restrooms without running water. The large parking area fills up in season. When full utilize the Horse Lot 0.5 miles back. From PHX (I-10 & AZ-51) 43.1 mi - about 59 mins From TUC (Jct 1-10 & Grant) 136 mi - about 2 hours 16 mins From FLG (Jct I-17 & I-40) 187 mi - about 3 hours 3 mins [ Update Directions ] [ Update Permit ]
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WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

		Black Top Mesa, AZ	Print Full \| Basic Directions