On the outskirts of the huge metropolitan area of Phoenix lie two of Arizona's most popular wilderness lands. A dramatic change from the grid-work of city streets and houses, these rugged lands offer a comforting get-away from the congested city. The Sonoran Desert wilderness areas of Four Peaks and Superstition make up a large part of the Tonto National Forest. The Four Peaks Wilderness Area, just topping 60,000 acres, offers 40 miles of hiking trails. Accessed via FR 143, a gravel road, hikers may see evidence where the pine-covered mountains are still recovering from a huge fire 22 years ago.
   The Superstitions, almost 160,000 acres, was first established in 1939 as a primitive area. Here the land is characterized by desert grassland, thick chaparral, and a few isolated pockets of ponderosa pine and Douglas fir. Although the Superstition Mountains offer over 180 miles of trails, Peralta Trail and First Water Trail remain the most popular. Pictured above is a view from Peralta Canyon. As hikers progress up the canyon toward Freemont Saddle, Weaver's Needle comes into view. It's here in the shadows of this volcanic plug where the Lost Dutchman's gold is said to remain hidden. Hikers, viewing this glowing sunset, were most likely seeing the only gold discovery during their trip into the Superstitions.

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