Arizona · Hiking · Near Superior

Black Mesa Trail

Black Mesa TrailPhoto: deborah.soltesz, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)
5.8 mi
round trip
343 ft
climb
2,762 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Nov–Apr
best months

Is Black Mesa Trail open right now?

Alert in the area

The Forest Service lists 5 alerts for Mesa Ranger District.

As of · Source: USFS · Mesa Ranger District. Agencies don't list every closure — check before you go.

Black Mesa Trail is an easy out-and-back hike of about 5.8 miles in Arizona's Superstition Wilderness, on the Mesa Ranger District of Tonto National Forest. The trail starts at a low point of about 2,287 feet and climbs to a high point of about 2,762 feet, a gain of 343 feet, and the Forest Service manages the land. The most comfortable months for a visit are typically November through March. At a nearby weather station in Apache Junction, typical averages run from highs around 67°F in January to about 77°F in March, while summer highs climb into the 100s. That station sits roughly 700 feet below the trail, so temperatures on the trail run cooler. Hackberry Spring Trail and Second Water Trail both lie about a mile away, and Grand Enchantment Trail is just over a mile off. Climbers can find The Iceberg about 2.7 miles away.

Around this trail

Add any of these when you start a trip
  • Sleep close

    Primitive Campsite near Jacobs Crosscut (Tonto National Forest)

    Campground

    Campground · 2.3 mi from the trail
  • If it rains

    Trails End

    Attraction

    On your way back · 21 mi

Places © OpenStreetMap contributors

More in Superior

Local outfitters

Not on Roamze yet. Their page has how to reach them.

  • Best time to go · Nov–Apr

    Best time to visit Black Mesa Trail

    Best months: November–April. Best months have typical highs of 55–85 °F, lows of 30 °F or warmer (32 °F where the station doesn't record snow), at most one snowy day and no more than 12 wet days.

    1. Jan

      67° / 43°

      4 wet

    2. Feb

      70° / 44°

      4 wet

    3. Mar

      77° / 48°

      4 wet

    4. Apr

      85° / 53°

      2 wet

    5. May

      93° / 60°

      2 wet

    6. Jun

      103° / 69°

      1 wet

    7. Jul

      105° / 77°

      4 wet

    8. Aug

      104° / 76°

      6 wet

    9. Sep

      99° / 71°

      4 wet

    10. Oct

      88° / 60°

      3 wet

    11. Nov

      76° / 50°

      3 wet

    12. Dec

      66° / 42°

      4 wet

    Typical high / low (°F) and days with rain or snow, 1991–2020. Measured at Apache Junction 5 Ne, AZ, 3.5 mi away at 2,070 ft. The station sits about 700 ft lower than this place, so expect it a little cooler here. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Hackberry Spring TrailPhoto: deborah.soltesz, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

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Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors