Rogers Canyon Trail - Superstition Wilderness

I did this hike in March, probably the best time of year to hike here in the desert.  Lots of green and nice temperatures.  This was a great hike.  One of the best I have done yet in the Superstition Mountains.  The best part of this hike is the well preserved Salado Indian Ruin set back in a cave at mile 4.  That, and the surprisingly large amount of trees makes for a perfect hike.  It almost takes as long to drive to the trailhead from Hwy 60 as it does to hike to the ruins.  However, the drive to the trailhead is scenic as well, with a lot of saguaros and great views as you climb up the mountain side.  As long as the road is in good shape, ie: no recent rains, then a passenger car should be able to make it, although a higher clearance vehicle is recommended.  There is one large hill at the end that you may need to walk up instead of attempting to drive if you are in a passenger vehicle. Directions to the trailhead are at the end of this post.

The trailhead is at 4,800 feet in a small basin full of juniper trees, oak and manzanita, which is a refreshing change from the low desert scenery on the road below.  Rogers Canyon Trail starts at Rogers Trough Trailhead and heads initially out on the Reavis Ranch Trail.  Follow the sign past the main trailhead sign in the direction of the Reavis Ranch Trail to your left. You will hike this for 1.7 miles until you come to the Rogers Canyon junction.  The beginning of the Reavis Ranch Trail gives you a great view into Rogers Canyon that you will be hiking into.  The hike starts flat and soon begins to drop off into several ravines towards the creek below.  Once you reach the Rogers Canyon Trail junction the hike is mainly a gradual decent from then on to the Indian Ruins.  At the junction of Rogers Canyon Trail go to the left.

At this point the trail begins to wind closer to the creek bed.  It was mainly dry while we were there, but small areas of spring water were running at times.  The trail crosses the creek bed several times as you wind down the canyon.  This area is beautiful, covered in large Arizona Sycamore trees.  We passed several groups who had backpacked in and were camping under these fantastic trees.  This is definitely something I will have to go back to do.  A few sections of the trail are a bit hard to follow.  Several spur trails lead off, but they seem to eventually wind themselves back the the main trail.  If you have to start doing a bit too much bushwacking then you've gotten off the main trail.

The canyon becomes deeper and hoodoo formations begin to appear along the upper sides of the canyon. Continue to follow the trail until you come to an area where the canyon narrows and next to a large boulder a cairn marks the side trail to the Indian Ruins.  You will see two large caves in the side of the canyon to your right.  This is at mile 4.1.  Head up to the the ruins and take the time to explore the area.  Please do not walk on the Indian Ruin.  There are three ruins.  Two lower ones and one above the lowest ruin.  To access the upper ruin you will need to scramble up the cliff left of the lower cave.  It is worth going up to look at.  This ruin is set far back in the cave and still has the roof intact.  You can also see the fingerprints left by as the mud was spread on the walls when it was built over 700 years ago by the Salado Indians.  Remember, do not damage or graffiti the ruins.

We ate our lunch in the shade of the cave next the ruins and enjoyed an amazing view out into the green canyon.  We then headed back the way we come and out to the trailhead.  The hike took us 6 hours.  But we were taking our time to enjoy this amazing area. 

Make sure you have plenty of water for this hike.  There are springs in the area, but were not providing much water. In all this was just under a 9 mile out and back hike.

Length: 9 miles out and back
Elevation Gain: -1,1333 (which means you gain it on your hike out- most of it is at the end of the trail towards the Rogers Trough Trailhead)
Difficulty:  Moderate- Easy to hike, but keep in mind it is 9 miles.
Season:  Fall, Winter, Spring
Kids:  Recommended 12+.  The length is the issue with kids
Fee: None
Hiking Time:  5 hours minimum hike time and 1 hour drive time from hwy 60 


Directions from Mesa:  Drive east on the US 60 towards Superior.  Once you pass the Florence Junction watch for a turn on your left marked Queen Valley.  Take Queen Valley Road and follow for 1.5 miles to Hewitt Station Road.  Turn right onto the dirt road.  Follow for approximately 5 miles to FR 172.  Turn left and cross Queen Creek.  This may be running with water at certain times of the year.  Follow the road for 14 miles until FR172A.  (Just before FR172A is the large hill that a passenger vehicle may not be able to drive up) at the top of the hill the road T's.  Take the road to your left and follow for another .4 miles to the trailhead.  


Do not attempt in a passenger vehicle if the road is wet or too rutted out.  4-wheel drive will be needed. 

Click for a Topographic Map of Area