Length: 4.5 miles roundtrip

Difficulty: Moderate

Wilderness Area: Superstition Wilderness

Journal: "A Cold Night in the Superstitions" and "Cold Whine"

From Globe go west on US 60 to Pinto Valley Mine Road. Go through the mine (follow the public access roads) to FR 287A (high clearance). Go 5 miles on 287A to signed Miles Trailhead. There are two trailheads along 287A before you get to Miles.

Trail Description:

We did this hike as an easy backpack. We only went in 2 1/4 miles to Oak Flat. Oak flat is a large tree covered area that makes a excellent base camp. 2 named creeks and 2 drainages as well as 4 trails all converge in Oak flat. This makes it a great place to explore from and campsites are plentiful. Water was available in several pools along both the West Pinto and Spring Creeks.

The West Pinto Trail #212 drops to West Pinto creek from the trailhead. It then follows the creek for the next two miles, occasionally climbing up and around some rocky areas. About 3/4 miles in from the trailhead, the Rock Creek #195 Trail forks to the left.

2 miles form the trailhead, and just after you enter Oak Flat, the Cuff Button Trail joins from the right. We hiked this trail for about a 1/2 mile and found it quite overgrown and steep.

1/4 mile further the Pinto Peak Trail #213 trail forks off to the right. Shortly after the Pinto Peak Trail junction, the Spencer Spring trail trail forks off to the left and follows Spring Creek. We hiked along the Spencer Spring Trail for 1 mile to the Cement Spring. In February 2000, there was water available at the spring.

From the junction with the Spencer Spring Trail, the West Pinto Trail #212 crosses the creek and begins a steep climb up and away from the creek bed. I followed this trail for about 1 hour and was really impressed by the views.

After 2 miles of hiking above the creek, the trail drops back to the creek, crosses it and then climbs up and over Iron Mountain before ending near the Roger's Trough Trailhead.

UPDATE: I returned in March 2000 and hiked the West Pinto trail a little farther. This was supposed to be part of a 3 day backpack, but we got weathered by a freak storm and turned back. After dropping back to the creek (a very pretty area) the trail climbs steeply and then becomes on long steady climb as it follows in and out of side drainages, climbing the entire time. By the GPS/Topo maps we ended up 4.6 miles from the trailhead before we decided we did not want to brave the storm.

This is such a great and little used area.

UPDATE: We returned to this trail in March 2005, and what a difference 5 years made. West Pinto Creek was gushing with water because of above-normal precipitation. In periods of high water such as this, plan to get your feet wet; we found that the easiest way to cross the creek was to plod right through the water. The water at some of the crossings was thigh-deep, so plan accordingly. If you have small children, you may want to carry them across the creek.