November 1, 2019 Miner's Needle Hike - Dutchman #104 towards Miner's Needle

A beautiful day for our first hike. Jerry was the leader today and Montey was the sweep. 

Peralta Trailhead

We started our hike at about 10:00 am onto Dutchman Trail #104. Following the signs for Dutchman #104 and passing the junction with Coffee Flat Trail #108, we started up some switchbacks. We stopped for an early lunch at 11:40, at a spot just off the switchbacks. We returned on the same trail and arrived back at the trailhead at 1:45 pm. It was a nice hike to get the group reacquainted and was a great start to the year. 

Directions to Peralta Trailhead: Leaving Palm Creek main gate, turn right onto Henness Road. Turn Right onto Cottonwood. Next turn is left onto N Overton, then right onto W Woodward, then left onto N Signal Peak, then right to 87(287), then turn right onto N Attaway road at the lights, then right onto West Hunt, then left onto 79 and at the junction of 60 turn left (west) onto 60. After about 8 miles from the junction, turn right at the traffic light on East Peralta Road proceed through the residential area and past the school and onto a gravel road to Peralta Trailhead (about 7 miles). Pit toilets.


Google Maps to Peralta Trailhead.

Length of Hike 6.6 Miles

March 1, 2019 Fremont Saddle Geronimo's Cave. Short Hike Casa Grande Mountain Park - West Butte and Valley Trails.

Fremont Saddle following Peralta Canyon Trail is a steady climb upwards through columns left from volcanic activity and millions of years of the erosion process. There were streams flowing after last week's snowfall as well as a few flowers along the way. On the way up, in order to have fewer hikers per group, we split up in two. Kevin leading the one and Barry leading the other. 

Nancy's pictures from Kevin's Group

More at Lunch 

Barry's Pictures on the way to Fremont Saddle

Most of the group went up to Geronimo's cave where Geronimo may have been when he was in hiding. 

Book about Geronimo

Skeleton Canyon is where Geronimo Surrendered

Barry's Pictures to Geronimo's Cave

Barry's pictures to the cave and down the Cave Trail. About 6 miles.

 Nancy's pictures with the group coming down Peralta Canyon Trail after lunch

Looking up at Barry's Group on Cave Trail from Peralta Canyon Trail 

Looking up at Barry's Group when they were at Geronimo's Cave

Hikers at Geronimo's Cave

Name of this flower is - Blue Dicks 

Barry's group coming down Cave Trail to Peralta Trailhead

5.1 miles 

                                     

Mary Anne's Pictures of the Hike 

Barb's Pictures of Barry's Hike 

  

Driving Directions: Go north on Highway out of Florence. Go left (west) on Highway 60 at the Florence Junction. About 8 miles from the junction, at milepost 204.1, is the first traffic light and sign for Peralta Trailhead. Turn right at this light and proceed through the residential area and past the school, then on the gravel road to the trailhead a the end, about 7 miles. Pit toilets.

Google Maps to Peralta Trailhead to Fremont Saddle

Gaia Hiking Trails - Fremont Saddle Via Peralta Trail and Cave Trail

Summary: This is a very good loop hike up Peralta Canyon to Fremont Saddle with spectacular views of a valley area and Weaver’s Needle to the north from the saddle. The ascent to the saddle offers views of interesting rock formations and steep walls of the canyon. The return hike on the Cave trail is along the ridgeline and offers further spectacular views of the trail we took on the way up the canyon and into valleys on both sides of the ridge.

Next hikes:

Mar. 8, 2019 Fat Man’s Pass

Mar. 15, 2019 Sedona Weekend

Mar.22, 2019 Wrap Up Barbecue At Sports Pavilion  12:00 PM – 3:00 PM

  

Skip’s cell:   503-580-3828             Barry’s cell: 207-205-4298