Arizona · Hiking · Near Superior

Second Water Trail

Second Water TrailPhoto: deborah.soltesz, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)
6.5 mi
round trip
193 ft
climb
2,422 ft
high point
Out and back
route
Nov–Apr
best months

Is Second Water Trail open right now?

Closure in the area

There's a closure order in Mesa Ranger District. It doesn't name Second Water Trail, so check the source for the area it covers.

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

Second Water Trail is a 6.5-mile out-and-back hike in the Superstition Wilderness, part of the Mesa Ranger District of Tonto National Forest in Arizona. The Forest Service manages the land, and the trail crosses wilderness boundaries, so plan on staying within designated wilderness areas. The route rises from about 1,934 feet to about 2,422 feet, a climb of roughly 193 feet one way. That makes it a moderate hike, and the trail is short enough to fit into a day of exploring the surrounding network of trails. Spring and fall are the most comfortable times to go. Typical averages from a nearby weather station in Apache Junction show March highs around 77°F and November highs around 76°F, while July and August average in the mid-100s. Several other trails start close by. The Grand Enchantment Trail is about 0.3 miles away, and the Hackberry Spring Trail and Dutchman Trail are each within a mile. For an overnight stay, Tortilla Campground is about 4.4 miles off.

Around this trail

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

    Primitive Campsite near Jacobs Crosscut (Tonto National Forest)

    Campground

    Campground · 1.7 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 Second Water 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, 2.6 mi away at 2,070 ft. Source: NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020.

Keep exploring — more trails worth the drive

Grand Enchantment TrailPhoto: deborah.soltesz, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Grand Enchantment Trail

Next door

Grand Enchantment Trail is a 2075-mile out-and-back in Arizona with 8,649 ft gain.

Black Mesa TrailPhoto: deborah.soltesz, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Black Mesa Trail

~2 min drive

5.81-mile out-and-back hike in Arizona with 343 ft elevation gain.

Massacre Falls TrailPhoto: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Massacre Falls Trail

~3 min drive

5.32-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 1,234 ft elevation gain and loss.

Superstition Ridgeline TrailPhoto: The3dStudioDotCom, CC BY-SA 3.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Superstition Ridgeline Trail

~5 min drive

13.34-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 5,247 ft elevation gain.

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

Hackberry Spring Trail

~1 min drive

4.82-mile out-and-back hike in Arizona with 1,194 ft elevation gain.

Prospectors Trail #57Photo: dconvertini, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Flickr)

Prospectors Trail #57

~4 min drive

1.17-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 89 ft gain and 454 ft loss.

Battleship Mountain scramblePhoto: deborah.soltesz, Public Domain Dedication (CC0) (via Flickr)

Battleship Mountain scramble

~5 min drive

2.14-mile out-and-back scramble with 1,157 ft gain at Battleship Mountain in Arizona

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

Dutchman Trail

~1 min drive

18.65-mile point-to-point trail in Arizona with 978 ft elevation gain.

Quail Loop TrailPhoto: Dougtone, CC BY-SA 2.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)

Quail Loop Trail

~4 min drive

0.68-mile loop in Arizona with 54 ft gain and 72 ft loss.

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

Cavalry Trail

~5 min drive

6.41-mile out-and-back trail in Arizona with 445 ft elevation gain.

Map and trail data © OpenStreetMap contributors