After having sweated out 100 to 110 degree weather for the previous two weeks, the Phoenix area was graced with a gorgeous day in the mid-80's which was all the incentive I needed to try this hike. I got to the trailhead at 8:30 am. I had decided to take the Peralta Trail to Florida Saddle, and return on the Cave Trail.

The Peralta Trail is instantly beautiful. A grove of Saguaro, Ocotillo, and blooming yellow flower of Agave greeted me there. The hike meanders up Peralta Canyon, crisscrossing a wash. About 10 minutes in to the hike, I noted a Saguaro to my left that I nicknamed "Elephant Boy." This one has several arms that shoot upward, but one has decided to emulate the trunk of an elephant. The arm of this cactus starts in the center, rises about a foot, then bends down and back upward to give it the appearance of an elephant's trunk.

5 minutes after "Elephant Boy," my attention turned to a bird whistling in the brush below me on my left. As I reached for my camera to take a picture of this ruby red cardinal, he took flight - obviously camera shy.

The rest of the hike to Fremont Saddle (another 35 minutes) was spent rather uneventfully, but enjoyably as the canyon opened up before me. To my left were grand spires of rock seemingly acting as sentries for the valley below. To the right was a long yellowish tower of rock with what appears to be many small caves carved into it. Both sides of the canyon have a smattering of still-blooming Saguaro. Riding the currents above were hawks and what may have been vultures.

Having read about this hike, I thought I was ready for the view once I reached the Saddle. As I approached, I noticed a group of men to the right sitting on top of a rock peering North. As I reached them, and the top of the saddle I could not hold back saying "Wow!" as Weaver's Needle made it's appearance. For those that have seen this awe-inspiring mountain, they must know what I mean. The Saddle allows you to look out over a valley to the North which this shear rock formation known as Weaver's Needle dominates. I decided to pull up a rock and enjoy this scene. Joining us at the Saddle were a couple and a group of three behind them.

While taking in the view I was able to enjoy watching two bluejays. I got very annoyed with the aggressiveness of those birds when I lived in the mountains of Southern California as a kid, but it had been so long I actually enjoyed watching these two as they made their way from rock to bush around the Saddle. I also saw a very healthy chipmunk racing across the rocks with its tail sticking straight up.

I asked the group of three that had come up behind me about the Cave Trail, and was warned that they hadn't taken it, but knew it to not be well marked. The book I'd read about this trail mentioned I would need to pay attention to cairns which would show me the way. From the Saddle I headed Northeast a few hundred feet and noted a small spur trail on my right, so I decided to try it. Following the cairns I made my way out to the yellowish rock formations I had seen on my right coming up Peralta Trail. The book was correct. Cairns were available to get me through the areas that were not well defined by a trail. Along the way I found several agave in full bloom attracting hummingbirds. At a couple of these I stopped for about 10 minutes to photograph the little fellas. Another notable along the way was a bird the size of the jays I had seen earlier, but this bird was jet black and bright yellow. Possibly an oriole? I'll have to go buy an Audubon book so I can find out just what that one was. Other wildlife noted was a bushy-tailed squirrel, a handful of small lizards (one who was a ham for the camera) and many ants.

I was very glad to have tried the Cave Trail. This is not one for tennis shoes, as there are a few spots that require good gripping soles, or maybe a calloused butt. Right before this trail joined the Bluff Springs Trail to take me back to the parking area, there was a breathtaking view eastward across the valley to Miner's Summit. Another Kodak moment.

The hike down took 1 hour and 45 minutes, though at least 30 minutes of that was spent enjoying the scenery. I saw no other hikers on the Cave Trail, and at least 25 who were using the Peralta Canyon Trail.

This may have been my initiation to the Superstitions, but in the words of Arnold Swarznegger, "I'll be back."

Getting There: From I-10, take Highway 60 (Superstition Highway) all the way East, until it starts winding Southeast and becomes Highways 60 & 89. Five miles from the point where 60 starts its bend Southeast, is the turn (left) for Peralta Canyon. Follow the dirt road until it ends, 8 miles later. This road is a bit bumpy in places, but is okay for cars. There are a couple of parking lots. After the first one, the road becomes a little bumpier and narrower, but 1/4 mile down the road is the parking lot where the trailheads are. Go to the Northeast of this parking lot and look for the sign pointing to the left which says "Peralta Canyon." If you go right at this sign, about another hundred yards up the trail is a sign which points to Bluff Springs Trail (left) and Dutchman's Trail (right), though a book I have on this area calls it "Miner's Trail." Supposedly the two trails (Bluff Springs and Dutchman's) form to make a loop. I may have to try those next time.

Tips: I was warned that February and March on the weekends can seem like a pilgrimage here as you may find all the parking lots full. There is a latrine in the last parking lot. Hold your nose though. I found no water on the trail, though it appears there are times of the year when there should be. A $4 fee for parking has been instituted for 1997.

Stats: Both the Peralta and Cave Trails are about 2 miles in length, rising 1400 feet.