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.
