20 hikers met early Saturday morning at the First Water Trailhead Horse Lot.

We split into 3 groups initially and hiked a short distance along the road to a horse gate. We traveled down a well-defined trail through the Sonoran Desert with spectacular views of the Superstitions from the Northwest.

After about ½ mile, we pass a horse corral and continue north on the Hackberry Trail, with First Water Creek on our right. For the next ¼ mile the path was rocky and the stream bed full of water. We moved slowly and carefully, picking our way through the boulders lining the streambed.

We climbed out of the streambed onto a smooth trail reaching the springs ¼ mile down the path.

We stopped briefly and climbed to the springs at the base of a basalt cliff. We took photos before continuing north along the Hackberry Springs Trail.

The trail circumvents the basalt outcrop through a patch of mesquite trees with large patches of green grass visible underneath the trees.

We emerged from the trees and after a short climb came to a junction. We took a snack break, enjoying the view and sunshine.

We took the trail left (east) for about ¼ mile with a view of Hackberry Mesa to the north.

The trail curves south and after a short climb we cross a broad mesa to the Second Water (#236) Trail. We could see Weaver’s Needle in the distance.

We continue south on the Second Water Trail (#236), dropping down to Second Water Creek. We followed the creek for about ¼ mile then turned west.

We follow the contour for about a mile before reaching the junction with the Dutchman’s (#104) Trail.

We travel about ½ mile back to the First Water trailhead. We walk ½ mile back along a trail next to the First Water Road (FR 78) that leads to the First Water Trailhead horse lot.