Dan Wagner

Hike Peralta Canyon to Lone Pine

A great day hike or an even more rewarding overnight backpacking trip, the trek to Lone Pine in Arizona's Superstition Mountains features breathtaking views of Weaver's Needle and excellent backcountry camping opportunities.

Trailhead elevation 2,425'

Water none

Don't miss sunset and sunrise from Lone Pine

Hike Peralta Canyon to Lone Pine

The road to the trailhead is slightly washboarded, but most vehicles can handle it with ease, and 4WD is unnecessary. The main parking area is large, accommodating several dozen vehicles, with overflow parking available 0.1 miles before reaching the main lot. There are no permits required for this hike..

From the trailhead, the trail gradually climbs through the saguaro-speckled Peralta Canyon for 1.3 miles, offering decent shade along much of this initial stretch. For the duration of the hike, there are no trail markers, but the path is very easy to follow.

At 1.3 miles, the ascent becomes slightly steeper, and near the 2.4-mile mark, the trail reaches the Fremont Saddle, where hikers are rewarded with a stunning view of Weaver's Needle, one of the most iconic natural landmarks in the Superstition Mountains. The 4,555-foot-tall monolith is the remnant of an ancient volcanic eruption, formed as erosion wore away the softer surrounding rock, leaving behind the harder rhyolitic core. Geologists estimate it to be approximately 25 million years old.

From the saddle, Lone Tree is visible about half a mile away.

At this point, a faint but noticeable trail veers to the right, eventually leading to Lone Tree. The name "Lone Tree" comes from the fact that it is quite literally the only tree in the surrounding area. Upon reaching Lone Pine, hikers can enjoy distant views of Battleship Mountain to the northwest and Bluff Spring Mountain to the east.

Lone Pine offers at least six backcountry campsites, though the hard ground makes staking tents difficult. Freestanding tents are recommended and there are no good spots for hammock camping.