| |
Coffee Flat Loop - Tonto National Forest
| Summary: |
A decent loop hike from the Peralta trail
head that is not as over run with people. Loop utilizes the Dutchman
Trail, Whiskey Spring Trail, Red Tanks Trail and Coffee Flat Trail. |
| Directions: |
From Phoenix, drive east
on the Superstition Freeway (U.S. 60) past Apache Junction. About
4.5mi beyond the end of the freeway at milepost 204, turn left following the
signs for the Peralta Trailhead. The road is initially paved as it heads
through a housing development, then becomes well graded dirt. At the
signed fork 5.4 miles from the highway, bear left following the sign, and continue another 2 miles to the parking area at the road's
end (complete
with an automated fee station & restroom facilities). |
| Road
Conditions: |
Passenger Car |
| Navigation: |
Moderate: there are a couple spots that
are confusing, take extra care since this is a pretty long hike. |
| Length: |
18.9 miles |
| Date
Hiked: |
February 2001 |
| Weather
Conditions: |
Nice, highs in the upper 60's |
|
Required Skills: |
 |
| Hike
Description: |
From the Peralta Trailhead begin walking
east on the Dutchman Trail (0 miles). You will climb a low ridge
then descend to the flats on the other side. This easy stretch of
trail then parallels the Superstition front range towards Miner's
Needle. After 2.6 miles you will reach the signed intersection with
the right branching Coffee Flat Trail, stay left on the Dutchman trail
which ascends at a moderately steep grade up the ridge to the east of the
needle. The trail climbs for 1.6 miles (4.2 miles) until you reach
the signed junction with the Whisky Spring Trail. Turn right onto
this trail which climbs a short distance to a saddle before dropping down
the other side with views of Coffee Flat Mountain ahead of you. The
trail bends left and continues to descend gradually along a drainage
towards the rugged outcropping of Picacho Butte ahead to the right.
After 1.8 miles you will come to the signed 'T' junction with the Red
Tanks Trail (6.0 miles). Turn right onto the Red Tanks Trail which
heads through the steep walled canyon of Upper La Barge Box. The
trail starts off on the left side of the stream, crosses to the right,
then, where the bent over tree crosses the path, switches over to the left
side once again climbing up the side of the canyon before leveling
off. Once through Upper La Barge the trail drops back down to stream
level then travels a ways until you reach the signed junction with the
left branching Hoolie Bacon Trail (7.5 miles). Stay right on the Red
Tanks Trail as it bends right traveling over a flat area until you reach
the stream once again. When the author first completed this hike 3
years ago the Red Tanks Trail was considerably overgrown with cat's
claw. Perhaps due to the exorbitant entrance fee that is now being
charged, this trail now appears to be in much better condition. When
you hit the stream it's a little confusing, turn left and rock hop
upstream a short ways then look for the trail on the left
side. When you're on the trail once again you will parallel
the stream bed a short ways, cross it, then climb over a low hill down to
another wash. The trail follows this wash up to where it boxes out,
then climbs up the right side to a saddle. There is a similar canyon
just on the other side of the saddle. It is down this wash that the trail
now travels (a few sections are a little overgrown, but otherwise
the trail is in good shape). At the bottom of this canyon another
drainage enters from the left, the trail bends right and follows the
combined stream (if any is flowing) down canyon. A short distance
from this confluence there is a sign on the right indicating La Barge
Canyon 2 miles back and Randolph Canyon 0.5 miles further (9.5
miles). After 0.5 miles you will see another sign pointing the way
to Coffee Flat, continue onward as the trial parallels the stream bed of
Randolph Canyon. Towards the end of this section the trial becomes
somewhat steeper then drops you down to the red sandstone canyon bottom at
the unsigned intersection of Frasier and Randolph Canyons (12.2
miles). Turn right and head down canyon along a very flat stretch of
trail which crosses the stream a few times as it proceeds. Take care
along this next section as there are no signs in this area. At the
end of Randolph Canyon you will see a large outcropping of rock on the left
(Buzzards Roost) and a windmill on the right (13.6 miles).
Turn right and follow the well established trail which passes the windmill
on the right. After a short distance you will pass through a
gate. On the other side of the gate look for the trail to branch
left, if you miss this turn off you will come to a grassy area and another
windmill and the trail dead ends. Assuming you have found this left
branching path you are now on the Coffee Flat Trail (though I've often
thought that Cow Crap Flat Trail would be a more fitting description). The
trail climbs up and over a low hill (you will be able to see Miner's
Needle in the distance from the summit) then winds through the flats which
have been heavily impacted by years of overgrazing. There are some
small rolling hills in this section as the trail heads west passing the
rock formation which is east of Miner's Needle, then climbing a hill on
the left side of the flats (stay right when you come to an unsigned
branch) before dropping down once again and bending north towards the
needle and the intersection with the Dutchman Trail (16.3
miles). Turn left and retrace your steps on the Dutchman Trail back
to the Peralta parking lot (18.9 miles). |
| Rating
(1-5 stars): |
 
All of the streams were flowing when the author last completed this hike,
making for some pleasant scenery. Traveling solo the author
completed this hike in 7 hours, hiking rather briskly the entire way (most
will probably want to allow for additional time to complete this hike). |
| Maps: |
Beartooth Maps -
Superstition Wilderness Topographic Map |
| Photos: |
Click picture for larger
view, click your browser's 'Back' button to return to this page. |
 |
The view from a saddle
before the trail
descends towards Randolph Canyon. |
|
|
