Perlite Road Apache Tears, AZ

Notice
Anonymous reports the mine is active with no trespassing signs. Trespassing is illegal, do not enter legitimate posted areas.


Perlite Road leads up to the initial area. Then you take a right at the boulders and head in on a small trail or go past the boulders staying right for the breathtaking views and coming upon the spectacular caves.

Just about 100 yards in is a road on the right that says "Wagon Tracks". A good little side trip is to walk in and veer left. In the rock, you will see wagon wheel tracks embedded in the white rock. They go quite a distance. It's the trail that went to Tucson many years ago. They are maybe 6" deep.

Back to Perlite Road, keep on the road, and you will come to a spring that runs all year across the road. It's a quite beautiful spot to stop and have a snack. Follow the road up until you reach boulders in the road. Now if you go right it's a trail that comes into the Apache Tears. There will be plenty on the road.

If you go past the boulders and go around, you will get a great view of the town Superior, the airstrip, and mines. Veer right around the mountain, and the breathtaking caves are on the right. There are Apache Tears all over the road. If you have a small hammer or small pick, you can pop them out. The main caves have a fence around of danger of collapse, but there are plenty of spots, including the ground, to find them. They are dark rocks that, when polished, you can see thru them. There is a story that after a massacre, the Apache Indians in this area cried this mountain of tears, and this is why they are called Apache Tears.

Check out the Official Route and Triplogs.

Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.

2013-10-18 Lindykelley