Upper First Water Loop (A)

TRAIL CONDITIONS
Date:					Destination:		Upper First Water Loop
Level:		Advanced (A)			Area:		Superstition Mountains
Approx hike distance in miles:		8			Hike leader:
Low to high elevation gain:		N/A			Hike leader phone:
Accum elevation gain in feet:		1200			Hike leader email:
Departure time - Union Center parking lot:					Please arrive 10 minutes early to check in
Recommended gas donation:		$10
Unpaved miles:		3			Park entry fee per vehicle:		No
Road conditions:		Good			Website for reference info:		http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=134
High clearance vehicle req'd:		No			Trailhead GPS coordinates:		33.480273 -111.44307
Maintained Trail:		No			Uneven Footing:		Yes
Steep Side Drop-offs:		No			Steep Trail:		Yes
Off Trail (scratchy):		Yes			Slippery Trail Surfaces:		Yes
Use of Hands Required:		Some			Boulder Hopping:		Yes
Hike Arizona Difficulty:		3			Water Crossings:		No
Restrooms at Trailhead:		Yes			Gloves Required:		Advised

 

Special Instructions:

This is a really neat day hike starting at the Dutchman Trail, through the First Water Creek bed, out into the wide West Boulder Canyon, down into O’Grady Canyon, and then back on the Dutchman. There is considerable boulder hopping and scrambling, and, depending on the season and weather, several water crossings.

Directions:

Felix Rd north, right on Arizona Farms Rd. Left on AZ 79 and left on Hwy 60 West, toward Phoenix. Turn right on Mountain View Road just past Silly Mountain. Continue 4.5 miles to Apache Trail (SR 88) and turn right. Go approx. 2 miles to First Water Trailhead rd. (just past Lost Dutchman State Park). Right on First Water Trailhead Rd until the end of the road.