| Summary: |
This hike takes you to the nicest canyon
in the Superstitions. |
| Directions: |
From Phoenix take US 60 east. Exit
at Apache Junction and drive northeast on State Highway 88. Follow
88 until you cross the second one lane bridge, just past the bridge on the
right hand side you'll see a sign for the Boulder Canyon Trail.
Parking is available at the Canyon Lake Marina on the left hand
side. |
| Road
Conditions: |
Passenger Car - paved all the way. |
| Route
Finding Difficulty: |
Moderate - some off trail hiking required |
| Length: |
~ 7 miles |
| Date
Hiked: |
December 2000 |
| Weather
Conditions: |
Nice - highs in the
mid 60's |
|
Required Skills: |
None |
| Hike
Description: |
From the parking area at the marina,
cross the road and begin hiking on the rocky Boulder Canyon
Trail. The trail ascends moderately with views down into the
outlet of La Barge Creek to the right. Eventually the trail bends
left then climbs somewhat more steeply until topping out at an
unnamed hill with nice views to the southeast of Geronimo Head and
Battleship Mountain with Weavers Needle poking over the hills in the
distance. The trail descends somewhat, swings to the left, then
right and winds it's way along the hill side before dropping steadily down
into the drainage of La Barge Creek. The Boulder Canyon Trail
continues across the drainage, but we turn left here and begin boulder
hopping our way up La Barge Creek towards the pyramid shaped rock in the
distance. After some scrambling, climbing and bush wacking you will
come to the entrance of La Barge Canyon. Sheer rock walls frame La
Barge Creek through this beautiful area. The best part of the canyon
isn't very long, and the turn around point is arbitrary. When ready,
return down the stream bed to the intersection with the Boulder Canyon
Trail. From this point you have two choices, either: backtrack the
way you came, or continue down La Barge Creek. This latter, somewhat
more adventurous route travels through nice canyons, however some annoying
bush wacking is required. Towards the end of La Barge Creek, before
reaching the point where Canyon Lake floods the canyon, look to the right
for a moderately faint use trail that leads up the hill side connecting a
short time later with the Boulder Canyon Trail. Follow the trail the
remainder of the way down hill to your car.
|
| Rating
(1-5 stars): |
The hiking part of this trip is so-so (rocky and weedy in places), but La Barge Canyon, though short,
is so pretty that I give this hike high marks. The author completed
this hike including the lower portion of La Barge Creek in about 5 hours. |
| Maps: |
Beartooth Maps -
Superstition Wilderness Topographic Map |
| Photos: |
Click picture for larger
view, click your browser's 'Back' button to return to this page. |
