Bluff Spring Trail and Dutchman Canyon to Charlebois Canyon

Extremely difficult midway through, trail not marked. Difficult terrain wit significant elevation including rock climbing. Got off trail and had to back track a couple of times. All said it has beyond a doubt the best scenery of any trail I’ve been on.

Tough tough tough. Once you get back in Whiskey Springs it’s a tough trek till you hit Peters 105. Well worth it but make sure you are ready to navigate and test both mental and physical.

It wasn’t easy but it was worth

I hiked/backpacked/camped this trail on October 24. Being new to the area, I tried looking for recent All Trails reviews, but because of the fires earlier this year, there wasn't any updated reviews. This review serves as your update. Preparing for this trip, I spoke to REI guides and they told me their scout team informed them of bushwacking to get to Charlebois. If you don't know what bushwacking is, it means there is no trail, and you'll be going through the wilderness to get to Charlebois. To confirm REI's information, I thought it would be wise to call the Mesa Ranger station to get updated conditions on this trail. When I called, the ranger (who will remain nameless) assured me that there was no bushwacking, that the trail was wide open, and well marked to get to Charlebois. Now I had conflicting information. REI told me the trail wasn't good, but the ranger said it was. The only way to see who was right was to do the trail. Instinctively, I thought a ranger who's job is to watch over a National Forest would be correct. After doing this trail, turns out REI was right and the ranger who "should" know was wrong. If you decide to do this trail using the All Trails route, you'll get lost, you'll have to bushwack, or traverse/scramble through the rocky wash like I did. Based off the map, the trail will disappear at around mile 5, when you head directly north on Bluff Springs Trail. I decided to take the washes that hugged Bluff Springs, but in doing so, I had to scramble on pretty big rocks. That said, make sure you bring poles, appropriate shoes, and appropriate clothes. I came across backpackers on the trail and because of the bushwacking and the chollas (cactus), they got scatched up pretty good. Even though I wore pants and long sleeves, I didn't go unscathed in the Superstition wilderness. I got a few cholla pokes and a bee sting at mile 3. The terrain is rocky throughout as well, so wear good shoes. All Trails estimated the trail to be 7.1 miles and I ended up at 8.25 miles. Oh and when you set up your sleeping area, make sure to sweep your area because there will be prickly things on the ground.

Fun hike. Toward the end of the first half of the hike there are some great camping spots! There was a lot of water there too. Enough to swim in and it is over your head.

Great hiking conditions today on Bluff Spring Trail and Dutchman Trail. Lots of water at Charlebois Spring and at Le Barge Spring, and in the creek running along the trail. Some overgrowth in places on the trail after LeBarge Spring, but nothing that will slow you down.

Not really this trail but it requires choosing one

Used this as first leg of 5 day trek. Great camp site for our group of 5 at Charliebois right before the spring. There are also 2 campgrounds about 1.5 miles prior to the spring by the creek.

beautiful trail

We had a great time!! Did a two-day, one-night backpacking trip. Had planned to go just to Charlebois Spring and back, but ended up adding a loop - on the second day, from Charlebois, we continued on the Dutchman Trail through Marsh Valley, then linked up with the Terrapin Trail, which then took us back to Bluff Springs, and from there we competed the loop via Dutchman to Miner Summit and back to the parking lot. Springs were flowing and were beautiful with fall colors! Great views especially on Terrapin Trail and descending from Miner Summit. Perfect for a short backpacking trip!

This is a tough rocky trail up Bluff Springs trail. Was beautiful though keep an eye out on trail it’s easy to get off trail here we lost trail twice ...