Fish Creek - Superstition Mountain



View from parking spot to bridge.

 This is a great canyon to take the day and explore.   Upper Fish Creek is located in the Superstition Mountains and is easily accesible from the Apache Trail (SR 88).  There is not an official trail through this canyon, it is more boulder hopping, bushwhacking and finding the easiest route as you go, type of trail.  This is a beautiful location, full of cottonwood and sycamore trees.  The canyon is also full of large boulders that you must navigate over, around and sometimes squeeze between as you head upstream.  Depending on the time of year you hike, there may be nice amount of  water in the creek.  Just a warning, this canyon is prone to flash floods, so it is not wise to enter during rainy weather.  I explored this in February and there was quite a bit of water flowing through the creek, it was a nice sight to see in the desert. 

 




Fish Creek



Directions to this canyon are at the end of this post, but to enter the canyon the easiest way: After driving down the windy road which hugs the thousand foot cliff you will drive over a bridge, which crosses Fish Creek.  Find a spot to park, which may be difficult as there really is only room for maybe 4 vehicles at the most.  Once you have parked, walk back across the bridge and you will see a large alcove on the south wall of the canyon.  A trail begins just after the bridge and heads up to the alcove.  Follow this path, once you get to the alcove the trail descends easily into the canyon below.  From this point head to your right into the canyon and begin exploring. 

The canyon winds its way up 10 miles, but this is a very slow going canyon to navigate with all the obstacles.  I ended up just heading into the canyon for about 2 hours and then turned back around.  It is a lot faster heading out as you are familiar with the terrain and the easier routes. 

This is just a great place to take the day to explore.  Amazing towering cliffs on each side, beautiful vegetation and nice running creek, especially if you time it right with the seasons. 
I've posted a video at the end showing some of the fun of Fish Creek!


Lots of boulders to naviagte



Length: Varies, turn around when you feel the need

Elevation Gain: 250 feet

Difficulty:  Moderate- lots of boulder hopping, scrambling and route finding skills

Kids: Kid friendly, but for little ones you will have to take it slow and maybe not travel to far in.
Traffic:  Light- I saw 5 other people in the canyon the entire time.

Comments:  Good footwear is a must.

Directions:  From Phoenix.  Drive East on US60 to Idaho Rd in Apache Junction.  Exit and drive North about 3 miles to SR88.  Turn right and follow SR88 (Apache Trail) for 25 miles to the bridge that spans Fish Creek.  The road is a dirt road the last few miles to the bridge.  Also, you will drop down the side of a sheer cliff as you take this fun drive to Fish Creek Canyon.  Once you descend the road from the high cliff above you will cross the bridge.  Find a spot to park and head back across the bridge to a trail heading toward the alcove on the south side of the canyon.