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Hike Peralta Canyon and Terrapin Loop in Tonto National Forest, Arizona - Stav is Lost

Hike Peralta Canyon and Terrapin Loop Tonto National Forest, AZ

Class 1 12.6 miles 3100 gain 4-6 hrs Loop
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude
DirectionsRoute MapDownload GPX

Feb 07, 2016 — Follow the relatively easy ascent up the popular Peralta Canyon Trail to Fremont Saddle, take in the views, and then descend toward the left of Weavers Needle, leaving the majority of the crowds behind. The colossus of Weavers Needle gets more intriguing the closer you get, and this loop hike lets you see it from every direction.

Follow the well-maintained trail for a few miles and then descend toward Black Top Mesa and onto the Terrapin Canyon Trail. This is where the views really start to kick in. Enjoy the very well-designed trail that takes you to more scenic overlooks, canyons, and picture-perfect desert landscapes than you can handle. I don't think I got bored even once, inspired by the Saguaro cacti, rocky buttes, and layers of desert terrain that stretch into the distance. Follow the Terrapin Canyon Trail to the Bluff Spring Trail and enjoy even more vistas overlooking the green canyons below as Weavers Needle fades into the desert haze behind you. Finish the hike with a nice descent to the parking lot.

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photo protector
photo protector Pretty far up the Peralta Canyon Trail, where it starts to get really pretty.
Pretty far up the Peralta Canyon Trail, where it starts to get really pretty.
photo protector Looking back toward the trailhead, at the bottom of the canyon.
Looking back toward the trailhead, at the bottom of the canyon.
photo protector Really cool hoodoo rock formations.
Really cool hoodoo rock formations.
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photo protector The Weavers Needle, right after leaving the Fremont Saddle and descending.
The Weavers Needle, right after leaving the Fremont Saddle and descending.
photo protector Weavers Needle.
Weavers Needle.
photo protector After passing the Weavers Needle, the trail becomes more open and flat, and shows off some awesome views of the desert.
After passing the Weavers Needle, the trail becomes more open and flat, and shows off some awesome views of the desert.
photo protector Weavers Needle from the opposite side, just before the halfway point of the hike.
Weavers Needle from the opposite side, just before the halfway point of the hike.
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photo protector Black Top Mesa. The trail goes right below that feature.
Black Top Mesa. The trail goes right below that feature.
photo protector Looking back toward some crazy buttes.
Looking back toward some crazy buttes.
photo protector Weavers Needle, now looking at it from the northeast.
Weavers Needle, now looking at it from the northeast.
photo protector Just some fantastic desert landscapes along the Terrapin Trail. There are so many features all over, creating foregrounds that make the landscape constantly seem like it's changing.
Just some fantastic desert landscapes along the Terrapin Trail. There are so many features all over, creating foregrounds that make the landscape constantly seem like it's changing.
photo protector Heading up the final little ascent, Black Top Mesa on the far right.
Heading up the final little ascent, Black Top Mesa on the far right.
photo protector After the final ascent, the trail is flat and has more great views.
After the final ascent, the trail is flat and has more great views.
photo protector Looking back toward Weavers Needle poking out between some rock formations.
Looking back toward Weavers Needle poking out between some rock formations.
photo protector Continue into yet another canyon.
Continue into yet another canyon.
photo protector These rock formations can be seen from the Peralta Trail, but this is a much higher view of them. Peralta Canyon is right below them.
These rock formations can be seen from the Peralta Trail, but this is a much higher view of them. Peralta Canyon is right below them.
photo protector Some random little water source in the desert.
Some random little water source in the desert.
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photo protector Weavers Needle way back there, with lots of Saguaro cacti all over the place.
Weavers Needle way back there, with lots of Saguaro cacti all over the place.
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photo protector The final bit of trail before heading down to the trailhead.
The final bit of trail before heading down to the trailhead.
photo protector Gorgeous views from far above.
Gorgeous views from far above.
photo protector Complete the loop, with Peralta Canyon (pictured here) to your right as you descend.
Complete the loop, with Peralta Canyon (pictured here) to your right as you descend.

Hire me or show me some love!

Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I'm not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!

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