Black Top Mesa and Palomino Mountain in Tonto National Forest, AZ

Hike Black Top Mesa and Palomino Mountain Tonto National Forest, AZ

Class 2 13.7 miles 2500 gain 5-7 hrs Loop Mar 16, 2018
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Black Top Mesa and Palomino Mountain GPX Track

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This loop ends with two interesting high points within the Superstition Mountains, Palomino Mountain (and the lovely Aylor's Arch near the summit), and Black Top Mesa. Starting from the First Water Trailhead, follow the First Water Trail until Black Top Mesa comes into view. Palomino Mountain won't be obvious because it's similarly colored and hides in front of the mesa. It will come into view eventually, and you'll see a canyon just west of the mountain. Head into this jagged canyon and locate a cairn just after the narrow section of the canyon. An easy to follow trail leads steepy to a lookout point of the Weaver's Needle, between the southernmost rock fin and the middle fin of Palomino Mountain. It's an easy scramble to get to the top of the middle fin, where you get the nicest view of Aylor's Arch, but the true summit is on the northernmost fin, so just do some easy route finding to safely scramble on Class 2 rock to gain the summit ridge, which is narrow and super pretty.

After summiting Palomino Mountain, head back to the First Water Trail, hit the Boulder Trail, and then head onto the Bull Pass Trail, which leads to a saddle just below Black Top Mesa. A social trail continues southeast to the summit of this peak, with ridiculously beautiful views of the northern Superstition Mountains, including Battleship Mountain. The summit of Black Top Mesa also has a completely unobstructed view of the Weaver's Needle, and you can trace most of the Peralta and Terrapin Loop Trail from here. Head back the way you came and pick up the Black Mesa Trail to make this hike a loop.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Palomino Mountain
2900 ft
240 rise
2
Black Top Mesa
3354 ft
554 rise

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Starting along the First Water Trail.
Starting along the First Water Trail.
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Weaver's Needle in the distance, Black Top Mesa on the left along the First Water Trail.
Weaver's Needle in the distance, Black Top Mesa on the left along the First Water Trail.
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Black Top Mesa left.
Black Top Mesa left.
Black Top Mesa (left) and Palomino Mountain (right), Weaver's Needle sticking out on the right.
Black Top Mesa (left) and Palomino Mountain (right), Weaver's Needle sticking out on the right.
Heading off-trail toward the narrow section of canyon just west of Palomino Mountain.
Heading off-trail toward the narrow section of canyon just west of Palomino Mountain.
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Aylor's Arch visible up there.
Aylor's Arch visible up there.
Looking back at the narrow section. The trail up Palomino Mountain is just behind me.
Looking back at the narrow section. The trail up Palomino Mountain is just behind me.
Steep hiking with minimal scrambling.
Steep hiking with minimal scrambling.
After getting up the gully, a great view of the Weaver's Needle just before the Palomino Mountain summit.
After getting up the gully, a great view of the Weaver's Needle just before the Palomino Mountain summit.
View of Aylor's Arch from the middle fin of Palomino Mountain. The summit of the peak is the rightmost section of the fin in this photo.
View of Aylor's Arch from the middle fin of Palomino Mountain. The summit of the peak is the rightmost section of the fin in this photo.
Continuing along the trail between the middle and top fin.
Continuing along the trail between the middle and top fin.
Summit of Palomino Mountain.
Summit of Palomino Mountain.
Summit of Palomino Mountain looking back toward Weaver's Needle.
Summit of Palomino Mountain looking back toward Weaver's Needle.
After Palomino Mountain, heading toward Black Top Mesa.
After Palomino Mountain, heading toward Black Top Mesa.
Along the Bull Pass Trail.
Along the Bull Pass Trail.
At the top of this section, the trail continues down, but the off-trail route to Black Top Mesa heads to the right.
At the top of this section, the trail continues down, but the off-trail route to Black Top Mesa heads to the right.
On the social trail up to Black Top Mesa.
On the social trail up to Black Top Mesa.
Looking back down the social trail. You can see Battleship Mountain in the back right.
Looking back down the social trail. You can see Battleship Mountain in the back right.
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Approaching the Black Top Mesa summit.
Approaching the Black Top Mesa summit.
View of the Weaver's Needle. The canyon just left of center is where the Terrapin Trail goes. You can trace the Peralta and Terrapin Loop from here, pretty neat.
View of the Weaver's Needle. The canyon just left of center is where the Terrapin Trail goes. You can trace the Peralta and Terrapin Loop from here, pretty neat.
After summit, this photo is along the Black Mesa Trail looking back toward Black Top Mesa and Palomino Mountain.
After summit, this photo is along the Black Mesa Trail looking back toward Black Top Mesa and Palomino Mountain.
Along the Black Mesa Trail.
Along the Black Mesa Trail.
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Last look at the Weaver's Needle on the Black Mesa Trail.
Last look at the Weaver's Needle on the Black Mesa Trail.
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Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!