Jacobs Crosscut Trail - 12.9 Miles Round-Trip

Jacob’s Crosscut Trail runs 6.45 miles along the base of Superstition Mountain in Lost Dutchman State Park. It passes through a vast bajada with diverse vegetation and views that include the Praying Hands, 4 Peaks Wilderness, Camelback Mountain and miles of open space.

Trail Map | Photo Gallery

Runners, mountain bikers, equestrians and hikers of all abilities will enjoy mild grades and connections with the Treasure Loop, Prospectors View Trail and Siphon Draw Trail.

The following description begins at the north trailhead just outside the Park and travels south to the Superstition Highlands neighborhood terminus:

The trail heads south on level track flanked by saguaro, mesquite and palo verde. Open grasses and sprawling cholla gardens are interspersed with thick brittlebush plots on this well manicured stretch.

It reaches the first of two connections for the Treasure Loop (1.1 miles : 2,156’) and runs quickly to the Prospectors View Trail (2.0 miles : 2,232’) and Siphon Draw Trail (2.1 miles : 2,216’) splits.

Views of the Flatiron and massive rock formations that comprise Superstition Mountain are particularly revealing from this point.

The trail gradually narrows, grows rocky and undulates more frequently beyond Siphon Draw. Still, conditions are mild and thinner crowds afford better wildlife viewing opportunities. Look for jackrabbit, quail, hummingbirds and snakes in this less-traveled section of Jacob’s Crosscut (3.0 miles : 2,244’).

Vegetation thickens on a shifting course that trends down through a notably large and healthy saguaro forest (3.9 miles : 2,208’) to a trail sign at 5.25 miles (2,190').

Here it drops quickly on a rocky, braided path to the the Lost Goldmine Trail (5.85 miles : 1,990')(1,990’) and south terminus (6.45 miles : 1,870’). This final leg is bumpy and anticlimatic, and there’s little reason to continue past the 5.25 mile trail sign unless looking for extra distance.