Randy and Peg's adventures: Peralta ride

Let me start out by telling you that some of the Pertala trail systems are not for the faint of heart. Several of the trails that I'm about to tell you about are not reccommended for horses (according to the USFS). This area is located in the Superstition Wilderness Area that is comprised of over 160,000 acres. Here is a link to the map of the trail system:Trail map.

Another word of caution is that you should be prepared to spend the night out on the trail if you need which includes plenty of water and food if you need it.

The trailhead is located 7 miles up a dirt road off of highway 60 East of Apache' Junction. horse trailer parking is located on the left side of the road just before 2 large parking areas for cars. A word of caution; Cars for some reason travel fast up and down this dirt road and there are some narrow winding corners keep an eye out for them when hauling a trailer full of stock.Some of them just don't get it!

The parking area at the Peralta trailhead

This is actually the flatest area around there…

When we got to the trailhead there were many informational signs and some Leave no Trace (LNT) signage. There was also a Ranger that signed us in and asked us which route we were taking and where we were headed. This is a requirement. You must also sign out before leaving. THIS IS IMPORTANT!

This area is extremely popular with hikers. We ran into lots of them! From college kids studying the desert, boy scout troops doing overnighters, old folks enjoying the outdoors, and people teaching their kids how to appreciate what surrounds them. People that are visiting or wintering from all over the country are there. The reason I mention this is As A Back Country horsemen and an LNT instructor many of them don't know trail etiquette or what the proper thing to do when meeting stock on narrow mountainous trails. We spent a lot of time educating them and helping them out. some "got it" and some didn't. That's a different post though and I'll get into that later.

So we started out of the Trailhead and proceeded up the Bluff Springs trail (#235). This is a very steep climb out of the trailhead and the upper portion is steep, narrow slick rock, that tests the most conditioned horses. I didn't know it ( not that it really would have mattered) but this trail is not recommended for horses.

This photo was taken at the beginning of the climb. After the second switchback above us, it was hard to manage holding a camera and climbing the rock faces. From this point it got really steep.

This shot is looking up the Peralta Canyon and the Peralta Trail (#102)

Elisabeth leading on her Welsh Pony Romeo and Peg following behind on her mule Rita

The views just keep getting better the higher and steeper you go.

The trail is very rocky and slippery towards the higher elevations.

We're going over that….

One thing that we both really enjoy about riding with our Arizona riding buddies is that it's always an adventure and always a great time. When you're with Alan Gillman, it's ALWAYS the case!

Like I said, Once we got on top, We were treated to some fantastic views of the Superstition Mountains.

Alan and Peg during a rest stop.

Elisabeth and Romeo are quite the "troopers" and so much fun to be around. We really enjoyed their company!

Riding to our lunch spot on the #235 trail

That's the East side of Weaver's Needle ahead. We got really close to it. but, the view is actually better from a distance.

There a big Suguaro Cactus in this country….

another rest break after some tough stuff…

Then we arrived at our lunch destination! An Oasis!

Alan's Mule, Miss Foxey Taking a break and enjoying the cool water.

Peg's mule Rita

They loved the fresh green grass near the water's edge.

And then we were off again…

Peg lead us this stretch

And we climbed up again….

pretty steep loose rock trail

look like fun?

Having fun now!!!!!

I just know that another great view is "just coming up soon"….

this part of the trail was a little hard to follow…

More slick rock. People don't realize how important it is not to knock down those rock Cairns that are along the trail marking where it's leading.

Lots of rock on this trail! Definately wouldn't want barefoot stock without at least boots.

There's on of those Rock Cairns marking the right route down the trail. This is in a wash so the trail is actually hard to follow.

This is part of the Dutchman's Trail (#104) it goes all of the way to the First Water Trailhead from Peralta. My friends Kelly Brook Allen and Suzi Shawl rode this trail with Alan all of the Way. But, if You're going to attempt it Start EARLY in the day. this is a long strenuous trail that only experienced riders should attempt.

There is some very edgy ledgy sections on this trail.

I knew that there was a view coming up….

That valley floor is way below us.

We stopped by a trail marker to get bearings.

This rest stop was just before we descended on a 1 1/2 mile stretch of the most edgy ledgy stuff on the whole ride. this was probably the second most hardest part of the ride and surely one part that horses were not recommended on. It was also the Funnest!