Reavis Ranch

Hike Name: Reavis Ranch Location: central AZ Length: 9 Submitted by: Bob Hetrick Date Submitted: 0/0/00 Rating:	more Arizona trail reviews Arizona national parks Arizona state parks
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Description
This is the hike to Reavis Ranch from the north side, on the Reavis Ranch Trail #109.

First, it's important to mention this is in the Superstition Wilderness, and the usual federal wilderness restrictions about group size, mechanized stuff, and low-impact camping apply. Second, this is ideally a fall or spring hike, and possibly a winter hike. It will be way too hot in the summer.

There's also a lot of wildlife in hte Superstitions, including all the toxic reptiles and arachnids for which Arizona is famous, as well as deer, javelinas, ringtails cats, black bears, and probably more.

You need to know what the weather is expected to be like during the time you are to be hiking, and to be prepared. Weather can range from lows near zero with snow in the winter to highs over 100 in the summer, with dramatic rains and lightning possible at times during the year. You cannot count on finding water until you reach the ranch area almost 9 miles in, so you need to carry basically a day's supply, especially if it is warm out.

The hike is basically a desert hike with little shade until the very last part, when there are shady trees and you're in a valley, so that should factor in to your preparation to avoid both dehydration and sunburn. It will be worth it.

The hike starts at around 3800 feet and ends up at about 4800 feet, but you will climb around 2500 feet and descend 2500 feet along the way. The trail is an old road that provided access to Reavis Ranch from the mid 1930s to the early 1960s. There has been a great deal of erosion in paces, and it feels more like a trail than a road much of the time. Most of the trail is fairly smooth, but there are spots that are rocky. There will never be a problem of losing the trail. There are panoramic views of the Superstitions, Apache Lake, Four Peaks, and numersous canyons almost at every turn. In spring, there will be fabulous desert flowers, unless it was a dry winter. The first part of the hike takes you generally uphill southward toward Castle Dome, which resembles the dome on the US Capital somewhat. Before you near Castle Dome, there is an unsigned trail to the left to Reavis Falls, which is about a 200 foot waterfall about 2 rugged miles east.

After passing Castle Dome, you will climb to the highest point on the trail (long uphill, but not terribly steep) then descend toward Windy Pass, which is well named. Again the views are amazing. You will then seem to walk on the side of a hill for a while,encounter a signed trail junction for the short Plow Saddle Trail, and then do one more climb. You will then descend into Reavis Valley, and the terrain will change quickly and there will be a lot of trees. There will be an old fence on the left, and Reavis Creek beyond it. There is great camping accessible from the first opening in the fence, with good creek access, unless it is really dry. If you proceed on the main trail further, you will see other places to camp, and you eventually hit two trail junctions - one for the Frog Tanks Trail from the right (west) and then one for Reavis Gap Trail from the East. The latter is near the site where the ranch building once stood - you can see the foundation and other evidence of past ranchng, including corrals and some old farm equipment. You can see the apple orchards that were planted in the 1920s or 1930s, which still produce.

You will be in a place with countless good areas to camp, yet it's a wilderness area!

There can be quite a few people camping in the vicinity of the ranch without any feeling of crowding.

From here you can turn around to get back to the trailhead I describe, Take the Reavis Trail to its southerly trailhead, or use a combination of the many trails in the Superstition network to have many different adventures. I would recommend reading up on the Wilderness and getting either the Forest Service or Beartooth maps to learn more about the trails and access to the trailheads. I have been in the Wilderness three times with Boy Scouts, and both boys and adults always have a great time. We have enjoyed it in both November and March.

Directions to Hike
From the greater Phoenix area, head east on US 60 (Superstition Freeway) to Apache Junction and exit left on Idaho Road (Arizona 88) Follow AZ 88 through Apache Junction. It becomes the Apache Trail, and will have many hairpins and great scenery. You will pass Canyon Lake, and the pavement will end. After a few miles you will come to a steep downhill at Fish Creek Hill, where the road becomes a single lane and there is a huge dropoff to the left (Vehicles going uphill have right of way). Once you reach the bottom, you will cross a bridge or two, and then need to go just a couple more miles. There will be a State Highway Department yard on your right, and the well marked turn to the Reavis Trailhead is about another half mile. From here there is another three miles to the trailhead, and the road is usually called high clearance, although I have seen minivans make it fine. The main point is that the road is bumpy, narrow (one lane in places), and it's a good idea to take your time, esecially around blind curves. There is plenty of parking at the Trailhead, and the entry to the Superstition Wilderness and the Reavis Ranch trail is well marked. It's adventure time!

Contact Information
Tonto National Forest
Mesa Ranger District
P.O. Box 5800
26 N. MacDonald
Mesa, AZ 85211-5800
(480) 610-3300

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