Hiking Haunted Canyon in the Eastern Superstitions: Where Desert Meets Forest

The Superstition Mountains offer some of most iconic trails in metro Phoenix.

And yet, there's another side of the mountain range that offers a whole new experience, a unique ecosystem where the desert meets the forest. 

And it's much more remote.

So, join us as we trek Haunted Canyon in the Eastern Superstition Mountains.

Haunted Canyon Trail Details

• Length: 10-13 Miles (depends on parking)
• Type: Out and Back
• Parking: Unpaved
• Family-friendly: Yes
  
• Dog-friendly: Yes
• Equestrian-friendly: Yes
• Restrooms: No
  

Driving to the Trailhead: Don't Trust the GPS

There are extensive mining operations along the gravel roads leading to Haunted Canyon's trailhead. The GPS will try to lead you down a few paths that are closed to the public.

Fortunately, there are signs at each intersection that will point you in the right direction. However, not all of them are well-maintained, and the wording is really small on some. Watch for them closely and be careful not to trespass. 

The Trailheads

There are actually two parking areas, but neither of them are marked well. The first is, essentially, designed for regular vehicles and adds a total of 3 miles to the hike. 

The second trailhead requires a capable 4x4 vehicle with decent ground clearance - more than my little Bronco Sport 4x4 is capable of. However, if you can park at this trailhead, you'll have more room (especially for trailers), fewer cars to compete with, and a 10 mile hike rather than 13. Those extra three miles are essentially just walking down a rugged dirt road to reach the actual trail. 

Even the first trailhead can be difficult to reach in a sedan. We recommend having a little more clearance, and there are still spots where having AWD or 4WD will come in handy. 

Starting the Hike

The official trail kicks off almost immediately with a creek crossing. There are large trees and thick foliage here, yet we can see desert shrubs growing from the foothills above. We even spot a lone saguaro in the midst of them. 

Soon after, we came across a pile of fallen branches that had just caught their first glimpse of the morning sun. Steam billowed from their cold surfaces. I tried to capture it on camera, but (of course), that never does justice. 

The trail then turns into the foothills and soon gives way to mountains, sheer cliffs, and rock formations. It's an incredible site that blends desert and forest flora together in a beautiful oasis. It's like nothing else you'll experience in the Superstition Mountains. 

Even in January the greenery is plentiful. It frequently felt like hiking in the southeastern US - until we came across a cholla or saguaro growing in the midst of massive trees. We also enjoyed views of foothills, massive rock formations, and mountains rising above the forest.

Most of the trail runs alongside the creek. You'll be crossing frequently, so I recommend bringing an extra pair of socks. 

However, there is one turn that takes hikers up a small hill. It's just enough to get above the tree line, allowing a vast look at the forest and mountains together. We really had to pull ourselves away from this spot and keep going. 

Back below, we continued along the creek, working our way over rocks and tree roots. There was still the occasional creek crossing, and we sometimes pulled up AllTrails just to ensure we were on track. This, combined with massive rock formations, sums up much of the remainder of the trail.

That is, until you begin approaching Toney Ranch. 

Exploring Toney Ranch on the Haunted Canyon Trail

Many of the trees seemed a little smaller as we trekked closer to the ranch. There was plenty of green grass - again, an unusual site in January. It was almost easy to forget we were in Arizona, but then we'd come across a random cholla (or two). 

The trail became better defined, and we came across some equestrians who were giving their mules and horses a well-deserved break. I decided to respect their privacy and avoid taking pictures of them. 

Just a little farther ahead and we finally reached the homestead of Toney's Ranch. 

The trail transitions to private property at this point, but it is open to the public. 

The worn, rustic cabin is surrounded by lush greenery even in early winter. It rests in a valley surrounded by the eastern Superstition Mountains. 

The front appears much more intact than the back. There, the weathered wood appears ready to collapse under the weight of its makeshift roof. There are even support rods to help ensure that doesn't happen. 

I have seen pictures taken by previous hikers of the cabin's interior. However, a sign now warns visitors that entering it would be considered criminal trespassing. We saw what appeared to be renovation tools through the windows, which themselves appeared brand new. 

We decided to take a break in the cabin's front lawn for lunch. Old farming tools are strewn about the area, but there are also a fallen trees that make great seats.

Despite the canyon's name, we found the ranch to be a comforting, peaceful area for rest and relaxation. We sat and enjoyed the ambiance longer than intended, finding it hard to pull ourselves away. But, we still have a 6.5 mile trek to get back, and we certainly didn't want to be caught in "Haunted Canyon" after dark. 

Ultimately, we gave ourselves just enough time to finish the hike back and drive out before night settled in. We then decided to reward our hard work by visiting the only Zaxby's restaurant in the entire state of Arizona, found in Queen Creek.