Weekend Warriors Arizona Hiking Guide

HAUNTED CANYON

If a highly secluded along a permanent stream through a desert canyon appeals to you, then you'll like this hike.

HOW TO GET THERE

This hike is located near Superior, AZ.

To get to the trailhead: from the Phoenix area, take US-60 East towards Globe. Just after Superior, take US60 another 12.7 miles to the well signed Pinto Valley Road (FR 287). Make a left turn here and follow the paved road. At the entrance to the mine, follow the PUBLIC ACCESS signs to the Haunted Canyon Trailhead (#203). You will need to make a left turn at the sign that reads 'Peak Well 26-29' to get to the trailhead. The road is in good shape for passenger vehicles. After a rain, it would get muddy enough to be a problem. When we went, the road to the trailhead was closed due to high water in Pinto Creek. We parked at the sign and walked an additional mile to the trailhead. The trailhead is well marked and lies near a cattle pen. The trailhead is about 6.7 miles from HWY-60.     

RATING

Be Aware of: Grazing cattle.

30 yr old Recommendation: Pleasant walking along a perennial stream. The out and back described here is a Moderate hike. 

DETAILS

Elevation change: About 300 ft elevation gain.

Distance: The hike described is 12.0 miles round trip to Tony Ranch Spring and back.

Time: It took us 6 hours hiking to complete this hike, with a 30 minute stop for lunch.

Time of year: October to April. Recommended in the fall when the leaves are changing. Do not try to get to this trailhead after a recent rain. The road will likely be impassable!

Solitude: Amazing. Six hours of hiking and we didn't see another hiker.    

I'm continuously amazed at the amount of lush green trees in the Superstition mountain range where there is even seasonal water. There are plenty of Sycamore and Cottonwoods along this route. This is another fine hike to take during the fall while the leaves are changing. There may be grazing cattle here, some with sharp horns. Give the nice cows a wide birth.

The trail follows the creek for the entirety of this hike. Sometimes the trail is right next to the creek and sometimes the trail heads up the slope of the creek to avoid particularly narrow sections. This trail is well marked and worn. This area is strangely quiet and one can easily imagine why early settlers in this area believed there were ghosts in this canyon. The real treat of this trail is the solitude and the tall Sycamores throughout. The trail crosses the creek a few times, but keeping your feet dry should be no problem.

After 6.0 miles, you reach Tony Ranch Spring. The ranch spring is marked by a coral and a large fire ring. This is a good turn around point for this hike. 

Return by the same route. 

[View of Pinto Creek in Haunted Canyon]

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