Dutchman Trail #104, AZ

Dutchman Trail #104 connects the Peralta and First Water trailheads. This description reads from Peralta to First Water. Many intersecting trails for possible side trips or variable routes are available. Since the trail is so long, I will break it into smaller segments. If you are looking at a map of this trail, be careful, the USGS map incorrectly labels the Bluff Spring trail as the Dutchman Trail, and the trail that should be the Dutchman's is labeled as Miners Trail. The Beartooth Superstition Wilderness map has the trails correctly labeled. There is also confusion in the USGS maps regarding the trail's course around the Black Top Mesa Area. Again, defer to the Beartooth Map.


Peralta TH to Miners Summit
The trail heads out east from the TH. It immediately gains a little elevation, but then evens out, before starting the ascent up to Miners Summit. The ascent starts at the intersection with Coffee Flat Trail #108. The trail gains about 1200 ft in a mile and a half. This is the highest point of elevation on the trip, so enjoy it.

Miners Summit to Marsh Valley
This part of the trail is all downhill or relatively level. Right on the summit is the intersection to the Whiskey Spring Trail #238. Shortly after the summit is the Bluff Spring Trail #235, this will take you back to Peralta in about 3 miles. Bluff Spring is known to have water sporadically, ask the local rangers. The next trail is the Red Tanks Trail #107, which will lead back to Whiskey Spring. This is also the approximate location of LaBarge Spring, which usually has filterable water. A mile or so up the trail, you will find the intersection of Peters Trail #105 and also Charlebois Spring (also usually has water available). This section's remainder is about 1.5 miles and ends at the intersection of the Cavalry Trail #239.

Marsh Valley to Aylors Caballo Camp: The trail through this area was a bit rougher than the rest of the trail and seemed a bit less traveled, but the trails are usually easy to find. Right after Marsh Valley, the trail takes a sharp curve to the south and loop around the bottom of Black Top Mesa. This section can be eliminated by taking the Bull Pass Trail #129. The Bull Pass trail saves about a mile and a half of the distance but has much more elevation change. Underneath Black Top Mesa, there are two options for returning to Peralta Trailhead. The first is the Terrapin Trail #234 and the second is the Peralta Trail #102. This section contains another uphill section. This one is less steep though it only climbs about 500 feet in a mile. After the intersection with the Peralta Trail, the Dutchman Trail heads north again. A little less than a mile comes Aylor's Caballo Camp (this is not shown on the Beartooth map but is shown on the USGS map).

Aylors Caballo Camp to Parker Pass
Aylors Caballo Camp is the intersection of three trails with the Dutchman Trail, where the Bull Pass trail again connects to the Dutchman Trail. Boulder Canyon Trail #103 and the Black Mesa Trail #241 also intersect here. After this is the last small climb up to Parker Pass, the trail gains about 400 feet in a mile.

Parker Pass to Firstwater Trailhead
This was by far the easiest section of the trail. The trail is well maintained, wide, and smooth. It's almost all downhill after Parker Pass, except the last 100 yards before the parking lot. Right before you get to the Trailhead, the trail is intersected by Second Water Trail #236. From here to the Trailhead is less than a half a mile.

Remember that water is never a sure thing in the Superstitions, and you should check with the Rangers about local conditions.

Check out the Official Route and Triplogs.

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2003-11-30 mttgilbert