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Warning Wildfires have damaged large portions of the Superstition Wilderness. No sewing involved by joebartels  Here's a popular loop hike around Weavers Needle from Peralta Trailhead. The direction of this loop is up the Bluff Springs Trail #235 for 2 miles. Take the Terrapin Trail #234 north through Needle Canyon on the east side of Weavers Needle for 2.9 miles. Crossover on the Dutchman Trail #104 ( 1.1 miles ) to the Peralta Trail #102 ( 6.2 miles ) and bring it home. The whole loop is a rollercoaster ride with two minor ascents to note. First comes the immediate haul up the Bluff Spring Trail. I prefer to take this loop counter-clockwise, as stated above. On warmer days, you get a shady return down Peralta Canyon. If you go clockwise and first head out on the Peralta Trail... you will encounter a minor ascent on the north end of the Terrapin Trail. The trail on the south end of Black Top Mesa used to be called Needle Cutoff Trail. Now it's just a section of the Dutchman Trail. Old topographical maps are incorrect near the Peralta / Dutchman junction. The trail on the old topos appears to cut straight down and back up East Boulder Canyon (this canyon runs between Black Top Mesa & Palomino Mountain) Now the trail takes a more gentle approach. It zig-zags down and back up, so it's not as strenuous. A couple of things to think about... The first is on the Bluff Springs Trail. You want to take a right on the flat slab of rock in the creek. Get a topographical map. Otherwise, you'll end up heading up Barks Canyon. Next... you might be thinking of cutting this trip short with a crossover immediately north or even shorter immediately south of Weavers Needle. Fritzski wrote up some clues to the south shortcut. For the north approach, get a topo and think Terrapin Pass. Beware, off-trail adventures in the area can be hellish. Check out the individual trails for further information: Bluff Spring Loop & Weaver's View, Terrapin Trail & Peralta Trail. Check out the Official Route and Triplogs. Note This is a moderately difficult hike. Leave No Trace and +Add a Triplog after your hike to support this local community.
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