Coffee Flat Trail #108 • Hike • Arizona • All Triplogs • HikeArizona.COM

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Apr 18 2025
		DesertNymph • Triplogs 82

Hiking	10.36 Miles	1,095 AEG

Hiking	10.36 Miles	4 Hrs 45 Mns	2.20 mph
	1,095 ft AEG	2 Mns Break

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[ checklist ] Brittlebush Coulter's Lupine Desert Globemallow Desert Ironwood Fairy Duster Narrow-Leaved Popcorn Flower Ocotillo Pelotazo Plumeseed Rattlesnake Weed Slender Janusia Strawberry Hedgehog White Ratany

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Life has been getting in the way of my getting outside...with the drop in temps, I figured I had to take advantage of it, even if it meant getting a late start and a lot fewer miles than typical for me. Was looking for something relatively easy but scenic where I could just walk and enjoy - I figured either the lost goldmine trail (again) or a walk as far as I could get taking into account my available daylight out the Coffee Flat trail from Peralta Trailhead. @00blackout suggested I hit Coffee Flat for a change in scenery, and the recommendation didn't disappoint.

Arrived at the trailhead at about 1:15 to find the main lot with a handful of spaces available, with more people coming off trail than heading in. Gathered my things, signed the register and headed off with the skies full of puffy clouds and variable winds. On the initial climb up out of the parking lot, a group of equestrians passed me on their way out. Hiking onward, I soon passed two more hikers heading out in quick succession - I had the trail to myself for the remainder of my day.

The clouds made for interesting skies, and the changing breeze made flower photography a bit dicy. Unfortunately I discovered a number of my photos were blurry (gold poppies, wirelettuce/skeletonplant, and some small purple blooms that I'm not convinced were scorpionweed. Also got a photo of a saguaro with blooms, but alas, it was too far away to be worth including). The scenery along the hike was beautiful, especially when entering areas that had stands of saguaro and ocotillo. In addition to the views, the geology underfoot proved plenty interesting, with shale, quartz, and even some obsidian making an appearance, in addition to a bunch of other rock types that I wasn't certain of.

Once I hit my designated turn around time (just shy of hitting Reeds Water / Randolph canyon), I turned around to retrace my steps - I made better time heading back, since I wasn't stopping as frequently to try to take photos of plants

. Made it back to the lot to find just a handful of cars remaining. Seems I started heading home just in time as my drive home was spent battling strong crosswinds and flying debris.

Wildlife: plenty of birds, mostly quail, especially in the later hours, a couple of lizards, and numerous butterflies (none of which were photographed). Spied a couple of cows close to the trail...they failed to startle me

It was fantastic to get back out on a trail, I was clearly missing it and was suffering from withdrawl. I'll definitely need to head back out along Coffee Flat when I have more time to cover more distance!

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Velvet Ant

Geology

Geology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Obsidian

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Miners Needle

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
Not very many...the cholla, prickly pear, and saguaro look like they are getting ready to put on a show, but there aren't very many buds on the plants this year.

_____________________

Happier when hiking....I may not move fast (and I'm often distracted by wildflowers), but I'll get there eventually

Jan 20 2025

The_Eagle

Guides 41
Routes 1,626
Photos 14,983
Triplogs 2,762

69 male

Joined Jan 20 2009
Far NE Phoenix,

Reeds & Brads Water Out-n-Back via Whitlow, AZ

Hiking		Jan 20 2025
		The_Eagle • Triplogs 2,762

Hiking	18.63 Miles	2,268 AEG

Hiking	18.63 Miles	9 Hrs 8 Mns		2.26 mph
	2,268 ft AEG	54 Mns Break	12 LBS Pack

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joebartels

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

The hike begins 10 miles off Highway 60, past the Queen Valley Golf Course, onto Elephant Butte Road, and then continues for the final 4 miles on North Elephant Butte Road. This last stretch requires a 4-wheel-drive vehicle with high clearance and good tires. It was the toughest test for my Subi to date! At one point on the way in, a tire was off the ground, and on the way out, another tire found itself suspended in a different spot.

The hike started with 27-degree temperatures and gentle breezes. It was a 2.6-mile trek to Reeds Well, where Joe measured the water depth at 4 feet.

Next, we followed the Coffee Flat Trail up Randolph Canyon (Sorry, Kelly—no coffee was found). This section featured picturesque views, interesting geology, and even a few cottonwoods still holding onto their fall leaves. There are some pools of water here, that the cows seem to enjoy. Be careful if you plan to filter.

At Fraser Canyon, we turned onto the Red Tanks Trail and made our way up Red Tanks Canyon. This was the longest climb of the day, gaining about 1,000 feet in elevation. We paused for lunch at the Red Tanks Divide, where we were unexpectedly passed by our 4th, 5th, and 6th backpackers of the day—quite a crowd for a Monday!

Our final two objectives were a 700-foot descent (and the return climb) and a 1.7-mile trek from the divide.

Brad’s Water was full, offering an opportunity for those inclined to wade in and splash around. This area is an old mine site that has since flooded. From there, we headed to Brad’s Cabin. All that remains is the perimeter rock wall, a substantial concrete foundation, and numerous tools and implements left behind. Thanks to the nearby water supply, the foundation and floor were poured entirely in concrete.

We retraced our steps as daylight dwindled, making our way back to the car for the drive out.

The temperatures throughout the day were perfect for hiking. Although we never felt the forcasted high winds on the trail, they made themselves known during the drive home.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Old Rusty Stuff

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Brads Water Reeds Water

Brads Canyon

Dry

	Brads Water	Gallon per minute	Gallon per minute
	Enough water to swim in.

Dry

Pools to trickle

Dry

Pools to trickle

	Reeds Water	26-50% full	26-50% full
	Water is at least 4' deep, and is 4' below the surface. Bring the means to collect and filter from the well.

_____________________

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."
Dave Barry

1 archive

Jan 20 2025

joebartels

Guides 264
Routes 2,797
Photos 14,494
Triplogs 5,894

55 male

Joined Nov 20 1996

Reeds & Brads Water Out-n-Back via Whitlow, AZ

Hiking		Jan 20 2025
		joebartels • Triplogs 5,894

Hiking	18.63 Miles	2,268 AEG

Hiking	18.63 Miles	9 Hrs 8 Mns	2.26 mph
	2,268 ft AEG	54 Mns Break

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The_Eagle

Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Had a 25ft nylon stringer in my pack to gauge Reeds and checkout Brads via the lasso loop from Peralta with an early start to get solid confirmation during the driest of times. SleepTillNoon chimed in so I revised to the closer Whitlow approach.

Based on helpful info shared by 00Dilling & ShatteredArm, it seemed like Bruce's Subaru could certainly make it to the large apron a mile before Whitlow. Scratch certainly and forget stock 2WD HC, I was impressed he didn't turn back in two spots that would have made the hike longer than Peralta.

It was an intriguing ride since I've never been on or up Elephant Butte Road. Moments felt like dialing back time and driving through the Superstitions.

The approach hike through Whitlow seemed longer and sandier in the morning. Returning seemed twice as quick late afternoon and less sandy.

Coffee Flat Trail #108
The term flat is broken.

Red Tanks Trail #107
Pretty area. Cumbersome constantly verifying each option heading up. Descending on the return seemed less of a hassle and quicker.

Synopsis
Good to get'er done and experience the Whitlow approach. Two more sources not tapping into the water table I might check out soon.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Brads Water Buzzards Roost

	Brads Canyon	Dry	Dry
	Bone dry, nearby prickly pear pads are paper thin. The oasis nearby at Brad's Water is easy to access and plentiful.

	Brads Water	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	Easily accessible and dependable water source in the Superstitions.

	Reeds Water	76-100% full	76-100% full
	At least 3.5 ft deep based on a 2x6 board I attached to a 25 ft line. Approximately 15* ft to the water. *Bruce said 4, probably 10 ft closer...lol

_____________________

- joe

Feb 10 2024

xsproutx

Photos 115
Triplogs 31

male

Joined Sep 15 2020
Phoenix, AZ

Superstition jaunt, AZ

Hiking		Feb 10 2024
		xsproutx • Triplogs 31

Hiking	33.00 Miles

Hiking	33.00 Miles

no routes

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Terrapin Trail #234

Cavalry Trail #239

Boulder Canyon Trail #103

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I haven't been able to really get in more than an overnight backpacking trip so far this season but finally had the chance last week, from Wednesday to Saturday. Since it was the first (and perhaps only) longer trip of the season, I figured I'd just do a nice little tour de western supes to enjoy all the running water, 3 nights/4 days. I started at Peralta and went clockwise, Dutchman -> Coffee Flat -> Side Trip down Randolph Canyon -> Red Tanks -> Dutchman -> Cavalry -> Boulder -> Terrapin -> Bluff, roughly 33 miles, with the plan to do 6 or 7 the first day and 12 or so on days 2 and 3 leaving a short hike out on day 4.

The road in was fine but I did notice way more campers/RVs/etc than previous years. Like, massive amounts more and there are a couple areas where forest service/county/someone has dropped some porta potties. I know there was a race this past weekend so maybe some of it was related to that but looks more like a lot of long termers. Was generally just surprised by the difference in numbers this year compared to previous.

As expected, all the creeks were running great, meaning I never carried more than my 700ml water bottle. I was able to rock hop and keep my feet dry at most crossings but this is basically impossible on some of the crossings of La Barge on the red tanks section and definitely impossible on the section of trail between reeds water and dripping spring but I had brought an extra pair of socks and sandals to wear at camp so no problem there. The days were in the high 60s/low 70s which was a bit warmer than I would've liked due to the lack of shade, but nothing bad. Nights were low/mid-30s which was fantastic.

Most of these trails are well used so the conditions are just fine and able to make great time on without any fuss. The only exception is the stretch of Red Tanks from the Randoph canyon junction to whiskey spring. There were several spots where I ended up off trail and had a very tough time filled with many bloody cuts finding it again. Also very overgrown in many places; in this section, I think I barely averaged 1 mph. I was on this trail 14-18 months ago and don't remember it being near this bad but now I need a new shirt and shorts.

The drive out was uneventful except for one lady on a bike raising her fists and screaming at me on Peralta. It seems obvious to me that if you're slowly riding a bike on the wrong side of a dirt road, a car will pass you at some point, so not entirely sure what she was angry about but that's people for ya.

2 archives

Feb 04 2024

chrisbjohnson

Routes 80
Photos 149
Triplogs 78

male

Joined May 23 2016
Tempe, AZ

Miners Needle Loop

Miners Needle Loop

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Feb 04 2024
		chrisbjohnson • Triplogs 78

Hiking	11.50 Miles	1,715 AEG

Hiking	11.50 Miles	4 Hrs 54 Mns	2.70 mph
	1,715 ft AEG	38 Mns Break

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Bluff Springs Trail #235

Bark at Dutchman Crossing

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It was a beautiful early spring day with recent January rains making all the creeks run. There was plenty of wonderful water rippling with splendor and many puddles to jump in during the hike. The spring wildflowers are coming soon.

I went clockwise around Miner's Needle Loop. I also added a few offshoots for exploration for future trips. At Bluff Springs, I headed north on Dutchman's trail to see to the north for a future through high on the full Dutchman.

I also hiked east on the Whiskey Springs leg. The Forest Rangers stationed at the Peralta Trailhead this morning warned against hiking the Whiskey Springs trail since it is "no longer being actively maintained". However, I was not deterred and I explored about 1.5 miles along the trail to the east, where there is an amazing campsite at a saddle before the final leg of the trail winds down to Whiskey Springs itself. The views from the saddle are stunning with magnificent views to the west and the east at the same time from the saddle. Upon returning to the trailhead, I advised the Forest Rangers that the trail isn't bad and that they need not discourage hiking on the trail.

1.20 miles - 8:24 am
Water flowing at a gallon per minute

3.81 miles - 9:41 am
Multiple gallons per minute

6.37 miles - 10:44 am
Amazing camping spot at the saddle near Whiskey Springs. Magnificent views to the west and the east at the same time from the saddle.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated
I only saw 2 California Poppies on the entire Miner's Needle Loop today. Coming soon after the rains.

Medium flow

	Barks Canyon	Medium flow	Medium flow
	multiple gallons per minute.

	Bluff Spring	Gallon + per minute	Gallon + per minute
	Clear water flowing from recent rains.

Crystal Spring

Gallon + per minute

Peralta Creek at #102 Crossing

Medium flow

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3 archives

Dec 19 2023

wallyfrack

Routes 93
Photos 7,758
Triplogs 1,691

64 male

Joined Mar 11 2003
AZ

[ checklist ] Dripping Spring Superstition Wilderness - West

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 19 2023
		wallyfrack • Triplogs 1,691

Hiking	9.40 Miles	2,235 AEG

Hiking	9.40 Miles	7 Hrs 56 Mns	1.18 mph
	2,235 ft AEG

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I took the day off. I went hiking. The trail was good. I went off the trail. The pictures tell the rest.

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

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1 archive

Dec 06 2023

pseudalpine

Guides 59
Routes 1,100
Photos 1,191
Triplogs 1,290

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

Fraser - Randolph Loop

Globe, AZ

Fraser - Randolph Loop

Globe, AZ

Hiking		Dec 06 2023
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290

Hiking	9.94 Miles	1,103 AEG

Hiking	9.94 Miles	3 Hrs 36 Mns	2.88 mph
	1,103 ft AEG	9 Mns Break

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JF Trail #106

Dripping Springs from Woodbury

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Meh, an easy and mediocre loop considering the crappy approach drive with all the geriatric snowbird side by siders. Completed in reverse (CCW), descending the uninspiring Randolph Canyon first. Cow feces everywhere, loaded up with dry burdocks, mostly pre-burnt with overgrown, unnecessarily cairned side passages. Every hike can't be great, but I guess no trail should go unhiked.

Dese was with me, so it was an appropriate pick for today, but both of us couldn't wait until this loop ended!

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Dog Rooster

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] J F Ranch

Dripping Spring

Dripping

Fraser Canyon

Dry

	Randolph Spring	Dry	Dry
	Just pools.

Red Tanks Canyon

Pools to trickle

Whetrock Canyon

Dry

3 archives

Feb 26 2023

ShatteredArm

Guides 12
Routes 192
Photos 863
Triplogs 356

42 male

Joined Nov 30 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Run/Jog		Feb 26 2023
		ShatteredArm • Triplogs 356

Run/Jog	19.45 Miles	3,263 AEG

Run/Jog	19.45 Miles	7 Hrs 22 Mns	2.83 mph
	3,263 ft AEG	29 Mns Break

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Originally planned on doing this from Milk Ranch Creek to save a couple miles, but with the overnight rain, decided that road would be a little risky. So we headed out to Peralta for a 9:30am start, with the trailhead more vacant than I've seen it in about 10 years.

All the creeks were flowing across the flat part of Dutchman, and things got a little more exciting when sleet started falling, and there was 1-2 inches of snow at Miners Summit. Snow below 3k in the Superstitions is really a sight to behold...

First time on Whiskey Springs trail. catclaw wasn't as bad as I expected. La Barge was flowing nice and strong, and I enjoyed the Upper Box stretch. First time through there in nine years.

Red Tanks beyond the last crossing of La Barge was all new to me, and this offered the hardest route finding, the most catclaw, and the most snow. It was thoroughly enjoyable, and the view from Red Tanks Divide was unforgettable.

We took a long-ish break at Dripping Springs, and also poked around Reed's Water for a few minutes. The rest of the way back I was in "let's get this over with" mode. Chocolate covered coffee beans are money as it turns out.

Really fun day, I think that leaves about 15 miles of official trail within the Superstition Wilderness that I haven't seen yet.

_____________________

Feb 20 2023

ScottHika

Guides 2
Routes 31
Photos 902
Triplogs 50

male

Joined Sep 19 2020
Phoenix

Coffee Flat Mountain 4621 Summit, AZ

Hiking		Feb 20 2023
		ScottHika • Triplogs 50

Hiking	20.00 Miles

Hiking	20.00 Miles
		18 LBS Pack

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[ checklist ] Dichelostemma capitatum Coulter's Lupine Indian Paintbrush Sleepydaisy

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I’ve been eying Coffee Flat summit for a while. Cloudy skies and temps in the 50s and I was sold. Fiends cancelled so I went anyway solo. I’ve been up top Coffee Flat but never to the actual 4621 summit. I had an 18 pound pack with the usual supplies. I brought my water filter but decided to carry enough so as not to slow down. Could have left a few hours earlier but it was either dark in the am or dark in the pm so I chose the pm. The time zone was loose rocks and sharp plants so I set my clock forward.

Not many people were at Peralta at start so I beat the crowds mostly folks headed up to Fremont Saddle etc. On the day, I passed only two backpackers the entire trip. This is a great time of year perfect weather and the wildflowers are just emerging. There is water still running through the canyons and probably more soon with pending rain. My route was to be Dutchman’s 104 to Whiskey Springs 238 for a short while, then cut up to Circle and follow the ridge to the 4621 CF summit and proceed back the same way. I calculated the distance at 7-8 miles x 2 but decided to head back a different way. I prefer loops but I chose the longer possibly safer way around making the hike 20 miles. I saw lizards and birds and lots of bees working the spring flowers. I came across possible big cat prints and definitely old coyote crap but no mammals.

The terrain was manageable but slowed me down to a crawl in places, like dragging a dead body around. This was mainly due to the slope, hidden rollers, scrambling, scree and climbing (and coming from the Boomer Generation). Up top at the summit it was still and eerie quiet and I managed to get up there between storms so very cool. There was no apparent summit register so I did add a small glass bottle with a few cards inside. Hope some other HAZ members will drop by and make a note. This one was tough for me. At my age I probably won’t be back at least not via that route. I had lunch, and took in everything that is any reason for ever making such a trip. I was considering Picacho Butte being right there, but decided to pass regrettably as I was already behind schedule. There are a few places in Red Tanks I wanted to explore that will have to wait as well.

Admiring the view I contemplated my return options other than an out and back. Dropping down into La Barge was the quick way back but, I didn’t like the look of the steep slope. I also heard that the upper box is a catclaw nightmare right now. Being solo means being more responsible. I was also eying the somewhat steep hike down Coffee Flat Canyon in the direction of Buzzards Roost. I knew I’d hit Coffee Flat 108 somewhere near Reeds Water. That would be a really long bushwhack though. I decided to head towards Red Tanks divide and follow the somewhat familiar trail around Red Tanks and through Randolph Canyon, Coffee Flat and Dutchman. I once read that Tom Kollenborn found a horse route up and over Coffee Flat Mountain. The steep cliffs make it impractical but possible on horseback. As I was heading down, I kept thinking to myself, “What would a horse do here?” All the sudden I was finding cairns. Not modern cairns but old school cowboy cairns. I was picking up debris as well so somebody besides me was thinking it was a practical route. I hit the divide and with sigh of relief I switched to trail mode. All of the trails were really nice and if I got a scratch I didn’t notice it.

I really like wading through canyon water so Randolph was a super cool foot bath. Also Coffee Flat trail is always so very nice and sandy soft on my old feet. I got back in the dark and headed home apologizing to friends and family for being out of communication and exceeding my estimated return time. I took extra pics so hope you will take a look and enjoy.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] American Crow

Geology

Geology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Chalcedony

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Cadastral Survey Marker Cairn Old Rusty Stuff Reference Mark Summit Register Log

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Bark at Dutchman Crossing Cathedral Rock - Superstitions Coffee Flat Canyon Coffee Flat Mountain Fraser Canyon Iron Mountain Miners Needle Red Tanks Canyon Red Tanks Divide Superstition Mountain 5057 Tortilla Mountain Weavers Needle

Meteorology

Meteorology [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Fair weather cumulus cloud

Wildflowers Observation Moderate

Bark at Dutchman Crossing

Light flow

Fraser Canyon

Medium flow

Peralta Creek at #102 Crossing

Light flow

Medium flow

Red Tanks Canyon

Medium flow

3 archives

Jan 21 2023

ShatteredArm

Guides 12
Routes 192
Photos 863
Triplogs 356

42 male

Joined Nov 30 2015
Phoenix, AZ

Dripping Spring via Reeds Water, AZ

Hiking		Jan 21 2023
		ShatteredArm • Triplogs 356

Hiking	8.35 Miles	442 AEG

Hiking	8.35 Miles	2 Hrs 59 Mns	2.91 mph
	442 ft AEG	7 Mns Break

no photosets

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Quick trip out to Randolph Canyon, since I decided the recent rain would make the Superstitions a good option. Decided to check out the Milk Ranch Creek access. The drive out there was fun. There was a trickle in Milk Ranch, but Randolph was flowing good. No way to keep the feet dry.

Went as far as Dripping Spring. I originally had the thought to do the whole loop using Red Tanks and Whiskey Springs, or at least go up Red Tanks to La Barge, but I was feeling especially lazy, so I headed back.

Pretty area, all of that was new to me except Dripping Spring.

Milk Ranch Creek

Light flow

Medium flow

_____________________

Jan 19 2023

Yoder

Guides 8
Routes 70
Photos 3,208
Triplogs 273

59 male

Joined Oct 07 2017
Chandler, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Jan 19 2023
		Yoder • Triplogs 273

Hiking	12.10 Miles	2,050 AEG

Hiking	12.10 Miles	5 Hrs 10 Mns		2.63 mph
	2,050 ft AEG	34 Mns Break	10 LBS Pack

no routes

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This is one I wanted to do for a while. To long to do entire trail as there-and-back, so we just went about 6 miles to the Windmill and came back. Another great Sup hike.

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Canyon Towhee Loggerhead Shrike

_____________________

J. Yoder

Dec 23 2022

Andrewrdc

Routes 39
Photos 64
Triplogs 42

58 male

Joined Mar 29 2015
Chandler, AZ

Hike to Dripping Springs, AZ

Hiking		Dec 23 2022
		Andrewrdc • Triplogs 42

Hiking	14.48 Miles	1,907 AEG

Hiking	14.48 Miles	6 Hrs 13 Mns		2.43 mph
	1,907 ft AEG	15 Mns Break	30 LBS Pack

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

First time hiking out to Dripping Springs via Dutchman and then Coffee Flat. Parked at Peralta at about 7:15am... half a dozen cars at most on a Friday morning. Chilly start at about 41degrees but peaked at almost 70 by 2pm. Hike almost 3 miles to where Dutchman turns North past Miners Needle, this is where Coffee Flat trail starts and the first few miles of CF are pretty much the same as Dutchman. However, once you drop into Randolph Canyon at Reeds water, the entire hike changes as you enter the riparian zone. And WOW, all that blessed water! The creek was running all the way from Reeds water to Frasier Canyon and the junction with Red Tanks trail. This was my target turn around point and what a nice spot. Frasier canyon is just beautiful, especially was all this extra water flowing through it. I did notice Dripping Springs was, err... dripping. Not sure how reliable that source usually is, but would take quite a bit of patience to gather a few liters from here. After some R&R, turned around and headed for home. 15 mile day... more than I am used to and my legs are feeling it tonight!

_____________________

6 archives

Dec 18 2022

John10s

Guides 25
Routes 376
Photos 5,897
Triplogs 346

40 male

Joined Mar 01 2018
Chandler, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 18 2022
		John10s • Triplogs 346

Hiking	16.19 Miles	1,689 AEG

Hiking	16.19 Miles	8 Hrs 46 Mns	2.14 mph
	1,689 ft AEG	1 Hour 13 Mns Break

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[ checklist ] Bark at Dutchman Crossing Buzzards Roost Cathedral Rock - Superstitions Dacite Cliffs Dripping Spring Reeds Water Three Sisters - Superstition Wilderness

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TboneKathy

We were back at Peralta Trailhead for the second straight weekend after hiking at Bluff Spring Mountain last Saturday. I hadn't gone east on Coffee Flat before, so a hike to Dripping Springs was a chance to see some new territory. The parking lot wasn't very busy, and we started with thick clouds that gave the hike a very different atmosphere from the clear, sunny day we had last weekend, but it was an interesting change of pace.

We turned onto Coffee Flat and headed into new territory, with Buzzard's Roost and the other peaks along the ridgeline to the east. The fire damage along the trail wasn't as bad as I expected based on other triplogs, but maybe I was benefitting from low expectations. We explored a little around Reeds Water, where there was some bright fall color in the cottonwoods along the creek bed. In addition to the usual assortment rusty tools, there were a few random food items nearby, including two fresh-looking red onions on the ground and an unopened jar of alfredo sauce hanging from a tree. Tempting as it was, we generously left those for future campers...it's the season for giving, after all.

We spent a minute or two searching for the giant saguaro in that area but didn't see it, then looked for the pictographs/petroglyphs nearby. That was a success--we found the red kokopelli pictograph of questionable authenticity...someone had even trimmed the brush nearby to make it more visible. It looked faded and subtle enough to be native rock art, but it's hard to tell...graffiti is usually more obvious and overstated. We looked around a little more for the petroglyphs but didn't see those.

Continuing east on Coffee Flat, there were a few small caves low in the canyon wall that we went over and took a look at, and the fall colors, the cliffs, the geology, and the flowing water made for a pleasant hike. The sand in the creek bed was mostly solid, even in the damp areas...except when it wasn't. I stepped on one spot that looked solid and sank in to my lower shin in quicksand-like muck. The same thing happened to me a few times in Trap Canyon last year [ photo ] , and this incident also left me with a boot full of wet sand and gravel. I lost confidence in the sandy areas and tried to stick to the rocks after that...

Dripping Spring had a steady trickle of water that reminded me of Massacre Falls during a light flow. There was a lot of thorny brush that I had to cut through to get to the base of the rocks, and we also checked out a cave just to the right of the spring that had a (javelina?) skull, an old lantern, and a few other pieces of debris around a fire ring.

We hiked a short distance on Red Tanks Trail and saw a pair of deer before we turned around and started back. The sun started to break through the clouds on the hike out, and it was nice to get some sunshine and shadows after the cloudy morning. We looked for the giant saguaro near Reeds Water on the way out and found a big one, but not the big one. It wasn't until I got home and read through more triplogs that I learned it's no longer there...missed it by a few years [ photo ]

.

We didn't see anyone on the trails until we were back at Bark at Dutchman Crossing near the end of the hike. We ended up seeing more people on horseback/muleback than we did hikers, with a few riders over the last half mile. It was a really pleasant day checking out a new part of the Superstitions...nothing too adventurous or difficult, just straightforward miles on the trails, but great scenery and comfortable temperatures.

Flora

Flora [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Prickly Pear Saguaro

Fauna

Fauna [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] White Tailed Deer

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] HAZ Decal Windmill

Named place

Named place [ checklist ]

	Bark at Dutchman Crossing	Light flow	Light flow
	Large pools and flowing water up and down stream from the crossing

1 archive

Dec 16 2022

pseudalpine

Guides 59
Routes 1,100
Photos 1,191
Triplogs 1,290

male

Joined Jan 01 2023
Arizona

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Dec 16 2022
		pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290

Hiking	19.76 Miles	3,422 AEG

Hiking	19.76 Miles	7 Hrs 44 Mns	2.76 mph
	3,422 ft AEG	34 Mns Break

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2 archives

Dec 14 2022

markthurman53

Guides 187
Routes 990
Photos 12,079
Triplogs 865

72 male

Joined Jun 27 2015
Tucson, Arizona

Coffee Flat Woodbury Trail, AZ

Hiking		Dec 14 2022
		markthurman53 • Triplogs 865

Hiking	9.41 Miles	1,174 AEG

Hiking	9.41 Miles	4 Hrs 45 Mns	2.26 mph
	1,174 ft AEG	35 Mns Break

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Woodbury Trail #114

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On the second day I took the Hewitt Canyon road to an area of the Superstitions I had only been to once before when I was doing the Arizona Trail. There are a couple trails I have not been on before and one of them was the East end of the Coffee Flat and the west end of the Woodbury Trail. The Woodbury trail is pretty much nonexistent to the old JF Ranch headquarters marked occasionally by cairns and maintained by whatever animals may use it. With close observation and a little imagination I believe I followed along where the trail use to be. The old abandon JF Ranch headquarters are still there complete with what looked like a working windmill, it was spinning in the wind and that’s what they are supposed to do, Could use a little lubricant though. From the JF Ranch the trail was a bit easier to follow though most of the time it just stayed in the creek bed of Frazier Canyon. At 5 miles in I came to Randolph Canyon and my turn around point. I was at this point 4 years ago on another hike along the west end of the Coffee Flat Trail. My original plan was to return along Randolph Canyon but with it getting late in the day I opted to return the way I came. Frazier Creek and Randolph Creek had a light flow. The scenery on the hike and the drive in is high on the WOW factor meter and the drive out at sunset was pegging it.

Culture

Culture [ checklist ]

[ checklist ] Windmill

Fraser Canyon

Light flow

Light flow

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Nov 26 2022

Vashti

Guides 17
Routes 297
Photos 1,808
Triplogs 276

female

Joined Mar 11 2002
Gilbert, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 26 2022
		Vashti • Triplogs 276

Hiking	12.01 Miles	1,541 AEG

Hiking	12.01 Miles	6 Hrs 29 Mns	2.16 mph
	1,541 ft AEG	55 Mns Break

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Route Recorded on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX

Went from Peralta TH to Reeds Water. Weather was perfect. Not too much traffic on the trail. Saw no one on Coffee Flats except for the lone backpacker set up right next to the upper windmill. He did not wish to chat, and left his tent and went off without a word while we had a quick lunch near the windmill. The windmill looks in better shape then the last time I saw it. Water could be seen 15 feet down below the windmill, but not elsewhere. The lower windmill area looked very inviting with a nice flat grassy area, and without the moaning sound of the upper windmill blades turning.

The biggest shocker for me was the giant Peralta Regional Park sign and the new road with huge gate across it. I was unaware, but I see the initial plan was brought up in 2007. Wow. Definitely going to be a big change, as mentioned in the forum and triplog post discussing it.

Saw 2 alpacas in the parking lot with their owner at the end of our hike. They always make me smile!

Only water was a pool on Dutchman not too far from the trailhead.

Wildflowers Observation Isolated

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Nov 23 2022

SJFL

Triplogs 18

53 male

Joined Jun 08 2015
Tucson

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Nov 23 2022
		SJFL • Triplogs 18

Hiking	7.50 Miles	1,100 AEG

Hiking	7.50 Miles
	1,100 ft AEG		40 LBS Pack

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I only did a section of the trail--up to the junction with Red Tanks. As others have no doubt pointed out, this area was hit hard by the burn in summer 2020. Saguaros are dying left and right. The landscape is pretty barren. But of course, that has its own beauty too.

If you are relying on Reeds Water, follow your sight-line to the windmill. I couldn't figure out how the trail leads to it... other than coming up from the east/south. As of my visit, there was plenty of water in the bottom of the mill--as per others instructions on how to lower your cistern into the bottom (rope, container, etc.)

Coming out of Reeds Water, I didn't make the left turn along the wall and ended up going south in the drainage for a couple hundred feet. Just make sure you make the left (going east).

The wall along dripping springs was wet. But no pools or reliable source that I could see. About a 100 feet downstream, definitely a little pool that was passable for filtering. (though I didn't.)

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Mar 19 2022

DarthStiller

Guides 27
Routes 670
Photos 12,111
Triplogs 857

56 male

Joined Jul 05 2006
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 19 2022
		DarthStiller • Triplogs 857

Hiking	20.03 Miles	3,635 AEG

Hiking	20.03 Miles	11 Hrs 25 Mns	1.88 mph
	3,635 ft AEG	47 Mns Break

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adilling

wallyfrack

Wally, Andy and I went back to finish this hike that we half heartedly tried 2 months ago. The weather was a bit warmer, which didn't help, but didn't make things much worse either with the light clouds and breezes.

Saw a big overnight camping group only a mile from Peralta TH on the LDT. Hiking down Whiskey Springs we saw what we think may have been Reavis' ghost.

Upper LaBarge Box was the scenic highlight, although the steepest section. The catclaw on Red Tanks has never really bothered me and I don't understand all the hate I hear for this trail.

Heading down from Red Tanks Divide was a bit of a slog, seemed to take forever. Saw a few interesting caves, though. Once we got Randolph Canyon, things got better.

Coffee Flat is ok at first, and gets harder as you head west. Transition is from flat, smooth dirt to steep and rocky. Wally spotted a rattler and then showed us the petroglyphs near Reed's Water.

LDT back was uneventful, other than fatigue and soreness. Renfest traffic was better than expected, thankfully. Had dinner at Rudy's BBQ, welcome treat earned after a long day.

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Mar 19 2022

adilling

Guides 2
Routes 267
Photos 9,816
Triplogs 402

62 male

Joined Dec 02 2014
Mesa, AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 19 2022
		adilling • Triplogs 402

Hiking	19.00 Miles	3,200 AEG

Hiking	19.00 Miles
	3,200 ft AEG

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DarthStiller

wallyfrack

It's been over 5 years since I have done this loop. I have been wanting to get back out to the Red Tanks, but never had the motivation. I made a couple of attempts but plans changed. This time, Chris, Wally and I got it done.

A dark start from Peralta TH, but the moon was up and near full. I ended up switching off the headlamp before I hit Barkley Basin. Right off I could see lots of brittlebush and fairy dusters mixed in with all the burnt out saguaro skeletons. The earth heals itself for sure, but it's never going to be the same in this area of the Dutchman.

We made good time up to Miners Saddle and then down to the Whiskey/Red Tanks Junction. We all passed a backpacker that looked to be about a 100 years from the past. Chris dubbed him The Ghost of Elijah Reavis. Fitting. ha ha

The highlight of the hike was going up La Barge Canyon. Not much fire damage at all in there. It's one of my favorite places in the Supes for sure. Once we cleared the canyon and started up to the Red Tanks Divide, the scenery (and fire damage) changed dramatically. It starts off with catclaw City, and then slowly moves up. I could see signs of the recent fires all over. Burnt out trees, cholla, saguaros. Lots of grass and lots of flowers.

From the divide on down, the fire really ravaged this part of the trail. I remember much more vegetation, especially cholla and other larger shrubs. This area will become a grassland it appears. Once we made the turn into Red Tanks Canyon, the scenery changed again. There was actually a very light flow in the creek. There were signs of large volumes of water from the start all the way down to the confluence with Fraser Canyon and the Coffee Flats Trail. So much sediment was washed down from the fire impacted areas. It really has changed this part of the trail.

The hike from Dripping Springs to Reeds Water was eventful, Wally pointed out several "caves of interest", some pictographs and petroglyphs and even wrangled up a rattler for us.

The rest of the hike was Wally leaving Chris and I in the dust, with us trudging through the last 5-6 miles along the Coffee Flats and Dutchman Trail.

I was feeling it at the end, but it was nice to get this one done again.

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"Jobs fill your pockets, adventures fill your soul."

instagram: @andydilling

Mar 19 2022

wallyfrack

Routes 93
Photos 7,758
Triplogs 1,691

64 male

Joined Mar 11 2003
AZ

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking		Mar 19 2022
		wallyfrack • Triplogs 1,691

Hiking	19.00 Miles	3,200 AEG

Hiking	19.00 Miles	10 Hrs 44 Mns	1.77 mph
	3,200 ft AEG

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