www.trimbleoutdoors.com
Backpacker Magazine Phoenix: Hackberry Spring Loop 

Hike saguaro-covered hillsides to a small desert spring on this 5.2-mile loop encircled by mesas and red sandstone cliffs.


Our Apps
Map Tools

Share Trip
  • Email this trip E-mail Trip
  • Embed Map
  • Bookmark this trip Social Bookmarks
    more bookmarks...

Download To

Create a Trip
Author: Backpacker Magazine
Date: 27 Jun 2006 3:23:20 PM
Activity: Hiking
State: Arizona (AZ)
Distance: 5.19 mi  (Change units)
Survey Elevation: Total Gain: 1042 ft
Total Loss: 1046 ft
Net Change: -4 ft
Difficulty: 5 / 10
Tags: loop, Phoenix, Arizona, Superstition Mountains, Tortilla Flat
Rating: Unrated   Rate it

TO TRAILHEAD: US 60 E to AZ 88 E thru Apache Junction, AZ. Go .25 mi. past Lost Dutchman State Park entrance; turn R onto (dirt) First Water Rd. In 3 mi., park @ First Water trailhead.

Position Format: Datum:
Tracks

HBS01

Distance: 5.19 mi Points: 461
Total Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
Active Time: none Speed: 0.0 mph Pace: 0:00 / mi
HACKBERRY Track

Points of Interest

HBS001

Location: 33.480278, -111.442924
Go S on Dutchman Trail #104, an old dirt road to First Water Ranch

HBS002

Location: 33.477379, -111.439697
L @ Y onto Second Water Trail #236

HBS003

Location: 33.478920, -111.435600
Photo op: The long, prickly arms of saguaro cacti frame views to a distant mesa

HBS004

Location: 33.476635, -111.428528
Cross First Water Creek (usually dry). Swing N on Second Water Trail; gentle climb up cactusy wash to Garden Valley

HBS005

Location: 33.482037, -111.427841
Trail empties onto flat, sometimes-muddy plain where cholla and mesquite flourish and mesas encircle Garden Valley

HBS006

Location: 33.485821, -111.427498
Bear L, staying on Second Water Trail; in 100 ft., leave Forest Service trail and bear L again on well-defined path where horse hoofprints head off to the NW

HBS007

Location: 33.494801, -111.435204
Stay on main trail across saddle

HBS008

Location: 33.498760, -111.437500
More classic saguaro figures with mountain peaks in distance

HBS009

Location: 33.498020, -111.440903
Vegetation provides shade @ First Water Creek

HBS010

Location: 33.495171, -111.441399
Hackberry Spring provides a welcome respite; views of towering cliffs

HBS011

Location: 33.491650, -111.441399
Bear R @ large cairn, leaving First Water Creek; head toward old corral, windmill, and obvious saddle to the SW

HBS012

Location: 33.487171, -111.442200
R @ cairn toward saddle to the SW

HBS013

Location: 33.482819, -111.446999
Turn L onto road back to the trailhead to complete loop

A distant mesa

Location: 33.478909, -111.436157
©Steffan Fay

Second Water Trail near the entrance to Garden Valley

Location: 33.482250, -111.427971
©Steffan Fay

Starting off on the loop

Location: 33.478951, -111.442200
©Steffan Fay

Pickly pear, palo verde and saguaro cover hillsides

Location: 33.479206, -111.434616
©Steffan Fay

Saguaro with snow-stippled mountain peaks in the distance

Location: 33.498753, -111.437401
©Steffan Fay

Hackberry Spring

Location: 33.495193, -111.441513
©Steffan Fay

View to the SE across Garden Valley

Location: 33.486065, -111.427628
©Steffan Fay

Classic saguaro

Location: 33.494251, -111.433113
©Steffan Fay

Get AllSport GPS Get Trimble Outdoors Navigator

Endorsements

Comparable Trips

Comments  Post a comment
0 Trip Comments
 

© 2010 Trimble Navigation Ltd. About Us | Terms of Use | Privacy | Software EULA | Feedback | Contact