La Barge Lower - Box Loop, AZ :: Water & Difficulty

[JohnnyBP]

Considering doing overnight backpacking trip (after Thanksgiving) doing just the 4.5 mile trip out and then back the next day. Has anyone been in this area recently enough to confirm whether there is reliable water in the lower section of the canyon, before reaching the Calvary trail? Would also welcome any feedback on how difficult it is to get through the boulder area from the 3.5 to 4.5 mile stretch, with a full backpack on. Thanks in advance!

[ALMAL]

There is water for sure in Boulder creek. Dutchmen to Boulder then follow creek downstream a mile or two to some nice camp sites with water in Boulder. Next day follow down to 2nd water then up and back across garden valley down in to first water creek (plenty of water) by hackberry spring, follow creek back up to FW parking lot, is about a 12 mile loop I think. Only a short stretch along Boulder requires moderate bush whacking but not bad with a pack.

[te_wa]

this time of year i have never seen the pools at the entrance to the box go dry. up through the canyon there are a couple tricky spots but slow going is the key here. towards the caVaLry trail, it's just sand. stock up in advance.

[JohnnyBP]

Thank you for the replies. I have hiked Dutchman before, a good portion of 2nd Water and day hiked the first section of Boulder Canyon from TH down to La Barge crossing or so. I want to start at Canyon lake and hike Boulder and the see the views of Canyon lake and then down into La Barge/Boulder/Battleship mountain, etc... I'm considering avoiding the tougher portion of the boulder hopping in Boulder canyon, by just hiking the Boulder trail down to the junction with 2nd Water trail, then hiking on 2nd Water trail and camping at either North portion of 2nd Water Canyon, Garden Valley, or NW section of Black Mesa trail. Unfortunately, I will be backpacking on Saturday and Sunday when it is more crowded. If you have a suggestion for the most secluded camping location in this high traffic area, I welcome the input. The latest postings on Hikeaz suggest pools of water at the junction of Boulder and 2nd Water trails, but no information that confirms water at 2nd water spring, nor first water creek where it intersects the 2nd Water trail. Have you been to the trail sections that I am considering in the last few weeks, and if so, what can you tell me about flows or pools?

[Tough_Boots]

Second Water Spring is not too far from the Second Water / Boulder junction and there is plenty of water there for sure. There are also filterable pools in Boulder Canyon. Real seclusion in Boulder Canyon is tough since its a canyon and you're never really that far from the trail. Also there will be lots of folks hiking the Black Mesa trail on the weekend. You might think about LaBarge Creek as an option. There is a really nice spot right where the trail from Boulder Canyon across Battleship Saddle drops down to the opening of the Box. You might also look into camping in the Marsh Valley area as there should be some water and fewer dayhikers.

[chumley]

On our 11/1 trip there was no water in First Water Creek or the other washes that Second Water Trail crosses. Plenty of options once you get down into 2nd Water Canyon or Boulder Canyon as Tough_Boots said.