Length: 10 miles roundtrip

Difficulty: Moderate

Wilderness Area: Superstition Wilderness

Journal: "Broken Boots"

From Phoenix, take US 60 through Mesa and Apache Junction. Continue on US 60 about 9 miles to the Peralta Trailhead turnoff. ( I did not get a mile marker). Follow the Peralta Road (FR 77) for 7.5 miles to the trailhead. A Tonto Pass is required for parking at the trailhead. The road is passable to all vehicles.

Trail Description:

From the trailhead, take the Dutchman Trail #104. The trail begins by crossing Peralta Creek and then begins a moderate assent for the first half mile. After the climb the trail descends into Barkley Basin and heads east toward Miners Needle.

2.5 miles form the trail head, the Dutchman Trail junctions with the Coffee Flat Trail #108. Take the right fork and follow the Coffee Flat trail as it winds in and out of several washes while heading southeast toward an unnamed peak. After reaching the base of the unnamed beak, the trail turns east and climbs the flank of the peak. It then drops into Whitlow canyon. In December of 2000 we found no water here, but it was very pretty.

Continuing along the trail climbs back out of Whitlow Creek before dropping back into Coffee Flat creek. After crossing the creek you will be at Reeds Water. We found several polls in this area. There is a gate across the trail that marks the Forest Boundary. Cross through the gate and follow the trail about .1 miles to Randolph Canyon. We found lots of water here.

If you wish to continue on to Dripping Springs (another 1.2 miles) follow Randolph Canyon to the east. I checked out this trail for about a quarter mile.

Return the way you came.