Explore Superior Arizona

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This Legends of Superior Trail connects the
historic mining town of Superior with the
Arizona Trail, 6 miles to the west. Along the
way it passes through the high Sonoran
Desert, the remains of the abandoned town
of Pinal, and the riparian forest along Queen
Creek, all while under the gaze of the
majestic Picketpost Mountain to the south
and Apache Leap to the east. Along the way
you will find numbered stations on posts
where you can use this brochure to learn
more about the history and environment of
this uniquely beautiful area. Follow the
signposts from the Airport or Hewitt
trailheads and be sure to take plenty of
water, wear sturdy shoes or boots, and watch
for snakes…
Interpretive Stations – East to West
1. Apache Leap: legends tell
of a battle between the
Apaches and a volunteer army
unit high atop the cliffs
overlooking Superior.
2. Queen Creek: water in the desert. Queen Creek
attracted people from earliest time. Before the
miners came in the 1870s, this area was home to
the prehistoric Hohokam and later Apache and
Yavapai Indians.
3. The Riparian Forest: Cottonwood and mesquite
trees along Queen Creek provided food, fuel, and
shade for Indians and miners alike.
4. Entering downtown Pinal; the trail climbs up onto
the terrace through an area of melted adobe
houses to emerge onto Main Street of the old
town. Please do not disturb the ruins or steal the
artifacts.
5.The Tailings Pile; center of town. This flat area
was once the dump for waste material from the
silver mill. A trail to the west will take you up onto
Mill Hill and Station 6. To the east are the remains
of buildings from the commercial district of the
Town.
6. Mill Hill. The remains
of the mill are located on
the terraced hillside
below (these are not yet
stabilized and should
best be viewed from up
here). The top of the hill was where the
administrative buildings were and where the 20
mule team wagons came to deliver ore from the
Silver King mine.
7. The foundation here was the Pinal Hotel. Next
to it were the mine office and the Wells Fargo. To
the east along Main St. were the owner’s house,
the newspaper office, and several stores and
saloons. The Post Office was across the street; no
trace of it is left today.
8. Leaving downtown Pinal; the trail crosses the ore
haul road here; south of the wash it climbs onto
Mill Hill on a causeway. To the north it begins the
long climb back to the mine.
9. Wagon tracks along the ore haul road cut by
wagon wheels into the soft volcanic tuff.
10. The old Magma Railroad, built in 1923 for the
mine in Superior.
11. Saguaros and Palo Verde trees dominate the
local Sonoran Desert, home to deer, coyotes,
rabbits, quail and other desert animals.
12. Picketpost Mountain, an
ancient volcano and
landmark for miles around.
For more information on this or the other Legends of
Superior Trails, visit the Bob Jones Museum on Main St.
and the Visitor Center at the Red Caboose on US 60