Bluff Spring and Whiskey Spring Loop in Tonto National Forest, AZ

Hike Bluff Spring and Whiskey Spring Loop Tonto National Forest, AZ

Class 1 14.8 miles 2400 gain 6-8 hrs Loop Feb 10, 2019
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

Bluff Spring and Whiskey Spring Loop GPX Track

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I realized on this trip to the Superstition Mountains that bagging peaks and exploring canyons in the area can be tedious, painful work due to the desert plants, so I stuck with the extensive trail system of the area. Initially, I wanted to explore Trap Canyon and Music Mountain on this loop, but Trap Canyon ended up being completely overgrown and didn't feel worth the effort. Instead, I did this loop completely on trails (!!) and it was a relaxing change of pace.

Starting from the Peralta Trailhead, head along the Bluff Spring Trail (#235), which features a really nice canyon with slickrock, to the Dutchman's Trail (#104), which spends a lot of time in wide open desert and colorful buttes in the background. Take a right onto the Red Tanks Trail, and then follow the Whiskey Spring Trail back to the Dutchman's Trail, where you'll get great views of the Miner's Needle before trekking through mostly flat and colorful desert scenery back to the trailhead. 

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Starting along the Bluff Spring Trail.
Starting along the Bluff Spring Trail.
Bluff Spring Trail, Miner's Needle on the far right.
Bluff Spring Trail, Miner's Needle on the far right.
View down to the Peralta Trail from along the Bluff Spring Trail.
View down to the Peralta Trail from along the Bluff Spring Trail.
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Great, expansive desert views. The Superstition Mountains are really a lovely place.
Great, expansive desert views. The Superstition Mountains are really a lovely place.
Looking back along the Bluff Spring Trail.
Looking back along the Bluff Spring Trail.
Weaver's Needle visible in the center along the Bluff Spring Trail.
Weaver's Needle visible in the center along the Bluff Spring Trail.
The trail takes you through a pretty slickrock canyon.
The trail takes you through a pretty slickrock canyon.
After the slickrock canyon, back into the desert, still headed north.
After the slickrock canyon, back into the desert, still headed north.
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The Dutchman Trail leads you through open desert. Magic Mountain visible in the center. I wanted to climb it, but my plans changed when I realized how prickly the route would have been.
The Dutchman Trail leads you through open desert. Magic Mountain visible in the center. I wanted to climb it, but my plans changed when I realized how prickly the route would have been.
Great views of the desert buttes along the Dutchman Trail.
Great views of the desert buttes along the Dutchman Trail.
Leave the Dutchman Trail and head along the Red Tanks Trail.
Leave the Dutchman Trail and head along the Red Tanks Trail.
The Red Tanks Trail follows a creek heading southeast, great cliffs on the left.
The Red Tanks Trail follows a creek heading southeast, great cliffs on the left.
A view of Trap Canyon. I went to the mouth of the canyon to check it out, but it was too choked up with brush or my taste to go exploring.
A view of Trap Canyon. I went to the mouth of the canyon to check it out, but it was too choked up with brush or my taste to go exploring.
Continuing along the Red Tanks Trail through remote desert scenery.
Continuing along the Red Tanks Trail through remote desert scenery.
The Whiskey Spring Trail takes you south.
The Whiskey Spring Trail takes you south.
Along the Whiskey Spring Trail.
Along the Whiskey Spring Trail.
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Looking back toward an ascent along the Whiskey Spring Trail.
Looking back toward an ascent along the Whiskey Spring Trail.
Whiskey Spring Trail leads you to the Miner's Needle.
Whiskey Spring Trail leads you to the Miner's Needle.
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The trail winds down next to the Miner's Needle and to open desert.
The trail winds down next to the Miner's Needle and to open desert.
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Back on the Dutchman Trail, head through open desert.
Back on the Dutchman Trail, head through open desert.
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The Dutchman Trail takes you back to the trailhead.
The Dutchman Trail takes you back to the trailhead.
Looking back along the Dutchman Trail
Looking back along the Dutchman Trail
Trailhead just below.
Trailhead just below.

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!