Miners Needle Loop, AZ

Overview
Starting at the Peralta TH, this is a popular loop first in on the Dutchman Trail 104 through Barkley Basin, rounding Miner's Needle on the east side, continuing on TR#104 and back through Barks Canyon on the Bluff Spring Trail 235.


Hike
From the Peralta TH head out east following the Dutchman Trail#104. After passing the beginning hills the trail drops down into Barkley Basin. It's a scenic hike across. Passing the junction with Coffee Flat Trail#108, Dutchman Trail#104 starts to switchback. Once you make it through the five or six switchbacks you start heading northwest. Soon you will pass the right(east) side of Miners Needle. Passing the north end (keep looking up) you have a great view through the "eye of the needle". The eye is small so don't get too excited. Trail#104 makes a quarter circle around Miners Needle then heads north again. Shortly you come to the junction with Whiskey Spring Trail at about four and a quarter miles. Continue on the Dutchman #104 down to its intersection with Bluff Springs Trail#235 at seasonal Crystal Spring. Take Bluff Springs #235 west to the junction with Terrapin Trail#234. To complete this hike description loop, head back by continuing on the Bluff Spring Trail#235 to your TH Start and parking lot, which is 2.3 miles away from this trail intersection.

Some hikers can't imagine heading home at this point. A nice 1.5 mile total hike addition to this loop would be a hike further up the Terrapin Trail#234 to an "off trail" section for some awesome views of Weavers Needle which is fairly close (see HAZ hike description "Bluff Spring Loop & Weaver's View" for additional details) .. plus there is an option to make this an even bigger loop over to the Peralta Trail#102 or to the unofficial Cave Trail.

Water Sources
Seasonal creeks and drainage's along this loop hike.

Camping
A few open area backpack camps with little privacy, mostly along the back trail section of this loop just off the Dutchman Trail 104 at seasonal Crystal Spring (just ~75 yards up #104 from the intersection of Dutchman Trail 104 / Bluff Spring Trail 235).

2010-12-05 Grasshopper