Looking for an overnight hike suitable for a kid

[War247]

Hello HAZ! New to hiking in the area, was hoping for some help

This past weekend a few friends and I hiked from Peralta TH to Fremont Saddle so they could show me Weaver's Needle. Fantastic weather for the hike, and Weaver's Needle was a beautiful sight. The trail was a bit crowded, but not overly so.

We had a blast and we were planning our next hike before we even started back down. We would really like to find a trail to hike and camp out this weekend, but were planning on bringing my friend's son this time. The little guy is 11.

We are all located in Mesa/Gilbert and the drive out to the Superstitions is no problem for us. We would like to find a trail nearby we could hike into 3-5 miles without totally burning out the little guy and camp for the night.

Any recommendations?

[big_load]

How about the Black Mesa Loop, camping where the Dutchman Trail crosses West Boulder Canyon?

[hikeaz]

The trail to Reed's Water is about 6 mi. one-way but pretty flat.

Hackberry Loop is almost too short @ +/- 5.2 miles, but there is some fun 'splorin in First Water Creek.

[SuperstitionGuy]

I would recommend a shorter loop for a starter. Hackberry Loop starting from the 1st Water Horse lot. Check it out as a day hike first so you know where to park, hike and return. That way you can also determine where you want to camp before you actually do the overnight trip. There are a lot of good pictures and information about this loop on HAZ.

[JoelHazelton]

3rd vote for Hackberry.

[War247]

Excellent! Thank you so much everyone.

I think I'll cruise out to Hackberry sometime this week since it was recommended a few times and check it out. But I'm going to hike everything mentioned here, so far I've only done a part of Peralta.

[RowdyandMe]

Depending on how far you want to go. But I think Charlebois would be great. You can hike in from either First Water or Peralta trailheads. Now its about 9 miles from either trailhead and its nice for camping with a nice pond. You would need to filter the water to drink.

[Nighthiker]

Garden Valley Loop that includes Hackberry. I would recommend that you make arrangements to be dropped off and picked up instead of leaving a vehicle overnight at the trailhead. Though you are not to camp within 1/4 mile of a spring or waterhole there are a couple of places to camp beyond Hackberry Springs. I would also recommend setting up camp in the Northwest area of Garden Valley. I believe you and your son will enjoy the night sky overhead.

[FOTG]

@Nighthiker
@War247

Though you are not to camp within 1/4 mile of a spring or waterhole

That is certainly the ethical and legal consideration during the drier warmer months, however, I am going to say from recent triplogs and personal experience, there is no shortage of water out there right now. Likewise, with rain last week and potential for more at the end of this week, the water situation only stands to get better. Therefore, I am going to go out on a limb and say you will not be impeding the drinking habits of any wildlife or livestock if you camp right at Hackberry Spring, deer are not going out of there way to drink at the spring when half the washes have water and modest flows. In fact, you will be just fine the law states it is only illegal when that is the only reasonable water source in area, and that is obviously not the case.

water in such a place that wildlife or domestic stock will be denied access to the only reasonably available water."

My vote is for Hackberry as well, however, I would be more worried about a lack of wood for a nice fire. Alternatively, you might want to check out camping near Bluff Springs and taking the natural looping option back via the Dutchman near Crystal Springs, several good spots along there as well, you would be looking at a 9-10 mile weekend and Barks Canyon will be a treat for most new hikers, although, Bluff Springs Trail certainly has a higher difficulty level then First Water area...

[SAMBA]

If there's any water flowing in the spring, then Robber's Roost, http://hikearizona.com/decoder=561, would be my choice.

[JoelHazelton]

If there's any water flowing in the spring, then Robber's Roost, http://hikearizona.com/decoder=561, would be my choice.

I'd personally love to backpack into Robber's Roost and spend a couple days exploring Dacite Mesa. However, I think I'd hesitate to try and make an 11-year-old lug a backpack up to West Boulder Saddle!

[War247]

My friend's son didn't end up making the hike, but a friend and I went out to check out Hackberry Spring Loop. It was amazing, thanks so much for the recommendation.

[cactuscat]

My favorite place to camp in the Supes is where Second Water trail meets Boulder Canyon, just below the Northwest corner of Battleship Mountain ... couple of really nice sites, and usually some water in the creek bed.