HikeArizona.COM

Hello all,


I recently "tried" to hike the reavis trail with the intention of going to the falls. I must have missed the "left turn" after castle dome came to sight and ended up going all the way and past the sign "plow saddle -->". So, it was disappointing for me as I didnt achieve my objective even after hiking that long.

Can anyone give me suggestions as to when to exactly look for the left turn to go down to the falls (as I know there were no cairns)?
Any landmarks? suggestions?

I am not going to give up. I am heading back there soon.

Thanks.

Have you read the trip description here on HAZ?
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=99

There are also 90+ triplogs which will probably add useful information, and of course, the GPS routes linked to the hike can be downloaded and you can add them to your GPS if you have one.

I haven't been there personally, so I can't add any specific pointers (though I'm sure many others here can) ... but the first, best place to start is by reading the hike description and logs if you don't have a GPS (which is really the easiest way to find it without getting too far off course!)

Good luck next time!

The turn off is at about 3.5 miles in on the Reavis trail. The two times I've done that hike, it's been cairned both times-- last spring and this last fall. It's fairly noticeable as the trail rises off to your left. Keep an eye out for a steep wash that crosses the trail-- I think this is Lewis and Pranty Creek (or at least it feeds into it). The trail to the falls is just past this. Other than that, I'm not sure what other landmarks to give-- that first stretch of the Reavis trail all kind of looks the same to me. A lot of people miss the turn-off, though, so don't feel bad! ;)

chumley wrote:if you don't have a GPS (which is really the easiest way to find it without getting too far off course!)

A GPS definitely helps with this one. The trail is pretty well worn but there are a couple confusing spots along the way and I don't think this trail is on any official maps. You can print a route overlayed over a map from the traildex on HAZ. Also of note, once you get down to the creek, there are spots where a trail appears and disappears along the sides but don't waste your day trying to stick to it because it often just leads into confusion. The water level will determine your best route. Scramble up the creek as much as possible. Reavis Falls rules!

Thanks guys. I did take a look at the different logs from different sites before hiking. But still I missed the trail. Time was also against me because I started late.

Two landmarks I did see that probably might help this discussion or rings a bell?: cut barbed wire, a very distinct shady tree to the left which looked like an ideal spot for hikers to take a break

I'll take your suggestions and this time I am taking more printouts and starting real early in the morning. So far I have done my hikes with map trails and a compass. Its probably time to get out of the stone-age and use a GPS. But I AM going there in the next week or so.

hiker123 wrote:Its probably time to get out of the stone-age and use a GPS.

Amazon has the Garmin 60csx for $200 still which is the steal of the century (especially for those of us that hate touch screens). I ordered mine last night-- THANKYOU TAX RETURN!

hiker123 wrote:cut barbed wire, a very distinct shady tree to the left which looked like an ideal spot for hikers to take a break

If you mean the big rolls of barbed wire then you went way too far. The only ones I remember are probably within a couple miles of Reavis Ranch. If you're out that far, you might as well keep going and salvage your hike with a visit to the orchard.

hiker123 wrote:and starting real early in the morning.

Good idea! The hike back out can be brutal if not prepared. My first trip there was a late start and left me hiking the last four miles in the dark-- luckily it was a full moon because all I had was a dinky little flashlight.

Tough_Boots wrote:by Tough_Boots » Mar 05 2011 11:01 am
hiker123 wrote:Its probably time to get out of the stone-age and use a GPS.
Amazon has the Garmin 60csx for $200 still which is the steal of the century (especially for those of us that hate touch screens). I ordered mine last night-- THANKYOU TAX RETURN!

Good deal and like our GPSjoe always said: "Become a skilled GPS user and it will set you free!"

@hiker123
Maybe this HAZ map visual will help some and you should also be able to print a copy for your trip reference: http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?QX=493
(On our HAZ TrailDEX Map, I took the two default GPS tracks for the Reavis Trail 109 north to Reavis Ranch (black color track line) and the Reavis Falls Hike- Trail 109 (red color track line) and loaded them both on this reference map. Open this reference map with the MyTOPO overlay option from the upper right of screen. Where the brown teardrop marker is located is where your would exit Trail 109 and this location is also where a rock cairn should be. This trail exit location is at ~4442ft elevation and ~3.40 miles in on Trail 109 from your TH Start location at approx GPS Coordinates N33.546054 W-111.190828. Hope this helps and let us know how it went).

This excellent information. Thank you for this. I'll take it with me when I go there again (which I am hoping will be in the next two weeks weather/health/time-permitting).

Looking at the map, it looks like I went past the windy pass. And I know i went past the sign to plow saddle. So, it looks like I grossly missed my target. The map I had was from the book "60 hikes ..." Another thing that threw me off was in another website it said "After about 3.5 miles of hiking, you'll see a spur trail that heads to your left up a hill. Make a left here. You'll know you're on the right trail if you soon go through a break in a barb wire fence"
Probably my fault, but when I saw the barbed wire fence, I thought I was going in the right direction.

Also dont get me wrong, the overall hike was simply superb; just a little disappointing as I couldnt get to the falls after hiking about the same distance to get to the falls.
Another thing, I said that the cairn wasnt there...but its likely that I didnt see it.

Again thanks

Follow the red line.....
http://www.hikearizona.com/photo.php?ZIP=9421

The height of the falls is actually -100 of the following number as well:

"Most people would not believe you if you told them there is a 196-foot-tall waterfall (taller than Niagara) in the heart of the Superstition Mountains." - from the trip description on HAZ.... ;)

Tough_Boots wrote: I don't think this trail is on any official maps

If you get the newest version of the Beartooth map that now includes the Four Peaks WA in with the Supes, that one shows the Reavis Falls trail. Also, the new Carlson/Stewart book shows the trail. But getting a GPS and downloading the route from this site the absolute way to go if you can part with the money for one.