Moderate & Moderate Plus: Canyon of the Waterfalls

***After the hike there will be an optional lunch the Dutchman Country BBQ which is on the left side of Old Apache road as we are heading back to Sun Lakes. Here is a link the the restaurant -Dutchman Country BBQ

MODERATE & Moderate Plus : Canyon of the Waterfalls out and back
Hike leaders: Scott Downey 503-936-7239
Date: Feb 9, 2026
Trailhead: Jacobs Crosscut off First Water Road – about .6 miles on the right after turning off Apache Trail Road (Hwy 88)
Description: out and back
Hike Distance & AEG:
Moderate: 5.0 miles & 920 ft
Moaderate plus: 5.6 miles & 1300 Ft
Trailhead Elevation: 1289 feet
Driving Distance: 76 miles R/T; approximately 45 minutes
Drivers Fee: $6 + $2 dirt road fee. (no dirt road fee if we park at the top of First Water Road)
Meetup: 7:45 Cottonwood parking lot

Hike Description:
***1-28-2026 Update: Prehiked our route Tuesday (1/27). Beginning of the hike through the Cholla forest is scenic. Like other areas around Phoenix, the desert is very green. So much growth this season, the trail looked different. Although this is an in and out hike, we do make a small loop on the way back.

Canyon of the Waterfalls has been a hidden gem until recent years, but it has increased in popularity as the word has gotten out about it. It is a hike through a spectacular canyon drainage on the North Side of the Superstition Mountains, and if we’re lucky enough to catch it with a little bit of flow, it is a truly special Superstitions experience. The hike starts with a gradual climb. AEG over this 2.4-mile stretch is about 900 feet. At this point, there will be an optional additional .35 miles and ~300 ft of additional AEG to go a bit farther up the canyon to get a better view where the waterfalls occur during the rainy season.

Total hike time is about 3.5 hours. Expect to get back to Sun Lakes around 1:30pm. If you are stopping for lunch, it will be a bit later Hiking poles are strongly recommended. If you planning on doing the moderate plus hike there will be some scrabbling going up the wash. Long pants are a good idea too because parts of the trail are narrow due to growth.

There are no restroom facilities available, so we will be stopping by the QT gas station as we drive through Apache Junction.

Here are two web pages with more information and pictures about this

hike: **http://wildpathsaz.com/canyon-of-the-waterfalls**Information & photos about Canyon of the WaterfallsInformation about Canyon of the Waterfalls

https://soulsummittravel.com/2025/02/20/canyon-of-the-waterfalls-hike/

If using a GPS device for driving directions enter “Crosscut Trailhead” into your device.

**Note** - The trailhead is off of First Water Road. It is not marked, but it will be the first parking turnout on your right. We will go Jacob Crosscut Trailhead which is .6 miles down First Water Road only if the first parking area is full.

Driving Directions:
Leave Cottonwood parking lot and turn right onto Riggs Road. Take a left turn at McQueen Road. Continue North then go right onto Loop 202 East. Follow Loop 202 East to US-60 East (exit 30A) towards Apache Junction. From US-60 East take exit 196 for Hwy88 (Idaho Rd) in Apache Junction. Turn left at the end of the off-ramp. Stay on Hwy 88. After apx. 2.4 miles, then turn right at the traffic light to stay on Hwy88. This section of Hwy88 is called “Apache Trail Road”. After the lost Dutchman Park sign, turn right onto First Water Road. FYI…it is the second dirt road on the right. The trailhead is .6miles down the road on the right.
78 miles R/T; Driver contribution is $6 (maybe $2 dirt road fee)
Call Hike leaders: Scott Downey 503-936-7239 iif you need assistance.