Peralta - Terrapin - Bluff Spring Loop - 12.6 Miles Round-Trip

The Peralta, Dutchman, Terrapin and Bluff Spring trails join to form a challenging 12.6 mile loop around Weavers Needle in the Superstition Wilderness.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

Though comparable in length to the Peralta out-and-back, this route sees lighter use and more varied, rugged terrain on the back half of the loop. The following description begins on the Peralta Trail and travels clockwise:

The trail begins at the mouth of Peralta Canyon and rises quickly on a rugged, heavily vegetated path. Oak, palo verde and mesquite envelop portions of the trail along the canyon's seasonally flowing creek.

Grades steepen past 1 mile (2,902') as brush recedes further from the water source, a chance to study columns of volcanic rock needles that top the canyon walls.

At 1.7 miles (3,428') you'll cross (right) over seasonal pools and resume a steep, shifting course through open rock and cacti gardens on the east side of the canyon. Note the prevalence of agave and contrasting light and dark rock in the upper canyon.

The trail crests on Fremont Saddle (2.2 miles : 3,754') with dramatic views north of Weavers Needle and a maze of canyons, mesas, buttes and peaks in the backcountry.

Here it tilts downhill on the west side of upper Boulder Canyon through comparatively sparse hillsides. Note the absence of saguaro in favor of yucca, grasses and jojoba.

The trail follows Boulder Canyon Creek past several backcountry campsites, which are generally located in level pockets of vegetation by the creek.

You'll pass a campsite at 4.3 miles (2,944') and climb 118' to a crest with rangy views over the wilderness (4.8 miles : 3,062').

The trail resumes a more direct descent before rolling to the east side of a divisive ridge in the canyon (5.55 miles : 2,787'). It drops quickly down the east side of the ridge to the Peralta - Dutchman Trail junction on the floor of Boulder Canyon (6.2 miles : 2,493').

Anticipate several steep segments, rugged conditions and periodic loss of clarity beyond this point.

The Dutchman Trail leads through then crosses the central wash (6.45 miles : 2,508') before climbing 287' to Upper Black Top Mesa Pass (6.9 miles : 2,795').

Note high concentrations of saguaro on this south-facing segment, and the basalt boulder cap for which the mesa is named.

The trail undulates ruggedly down from the pass to the Terrapin Trail junction (7.35 miles : 2,634'), a wide berth on the canyon floor where Bluff Spring Mountain Canyon meets Needle Canyon.

The Terrapin Trail bends SE in Needle Canyon and climbs to a level, heavily vegetated corridor with several shaded campsites on this brief stretch (7.5 miles : 2,648').

It emerges from the canopy and crosses left over the creek (7.6 miles : 2,655'), where it climbs 525' in just .6 miles to a saddle with rangy views across the wilderness (8.25 miles : 3,179').

A series of steep undulations lead through the route's most complex topography up to Bluff Saddle, an elevated oasis ringed by needles and rock formations in the upper canyon (9.55 miles : 3,396').

The trail continues SE on a sharp, shifting descent to the Terrapin - Bluff Spring Trail junction on the rock-slab canyon floor (10.2 miles : 3,137').

The Bluff Spring Trail leaves the wash on a short climb that tilts back down through a grassy expanse to another wash (10.8 miles : 2,900').

Cairns lead across this wash and two wide braids into a narrow, high walled canyon. Anticipate these quick maneuvers into the canyon, which has no clear trail but is adequately marked by cairns.

A clear trail resumes once through the slot and climbs to a high ledge with panoramas (south) across the sprawling bajadas of Coffee Flat Valley and Barkley Basin (11.4 miles : 2,985').

Travel moderates along cholla-studded hills with long views over the bajada and up Peralta Canyon (12.05 miles : 2,890'). A final descent winds back into Peralta Canyon to complete the loop (12.6 miles : 2,395').