explore Trap Canyon in the western Supes

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Feb 15 2007 2:16 pm

moderate pace overnighter. difficulty 3. <1 mile off- trail hike with potential for bushwacking.

We plan on hiking from the Peralta trailhead taking the Dutchman tr. past the Awesome looking Miner's Needle to Whiskey spring tr. Continuing past the flanks of the enormous Coffee Flat mountain to the Red Tanks tr. and into Trap canyon to explore off-trail and search for Trap spring. On day 2 we'll continue the loop on Red Tanks to the Bluff Spring trail and back to Peralta parking lot. First day 7 miles plus exploring, day 2 is 6.5 miles or so. The weather in the Supes is great, hike it while you can. We want to do this on 24th-25th depending on interest. Dates are flexible. Lets do this!

NOTE: if no water is in Trap canyon we will continue an extra mile to LaBarge spring for the night, where water is reliable.

hikeaz · Post by **hikeaz** » Feb 15 2007 3:17 pm

Mike,
A few of us are headed into that area this W/E (17&18)from Tortilla. JF/Hoolie/Red Tanks/Peters plus exploring. Come along if the spirit moves you.
kurt

Hoffmaster · Post by **Hoffmaster** » Feb 15 2007 3:57 pm

Mike,
I'm very interested, but don't have free time until 3/3-3/4. I'm hiking the Peter's Trail this Sunday (finally) and Soap Creek and Rider Canyons next weekend.

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Feb 16 2007 10:39 pm

i got some great info about trap canyon (thanks to superstitionsguy) and im now thoroughly involved in planning this trip. sadly, tomorrow i have family portraits-next w/e the 24th there is a neighborhood block party. think its time i finally met my neighbors.
so the first week of March looks better.

good luck on the Peters trail, its a bastage. pay attention to cairns.

Hoffmaster · Post by **Hoffmaster** » Feb 16 2007 11:33 pm

mikeinFHAZ wrote:good luck on the Peters trail, its a bastage. pay attention to cairns.

Thanks. Between that and the Bull Basin Loop tomorrow, I will have successfully hiked my butt off this weekend. I wouldn't want it any other way though.

Desertroux · Post by **Desertroux** » Feb 17 2007 7:14 pm

First weekend in March might be doable for myself. I'm totally stoked on exploring Trap Canyon. I'll drop in my request in at work tomorrow.

nonot · Post by **nonot** » Feb 17 2007 11:16 pm

Greetings,

Having done this loop about a month ago Trap Canyon caught my interest. The comments at

http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=197&EXT=T

seem to indicate a hike through Trap Canyon is not a viable route, however I still wanted to try it sometime myself and explore Music Mountain a bit.

hikeaz · Post by **hikeaz** » Feb 18 2007 8:32 pm

In response to nonot's reply:

Trap Canyon is aptly named. Hiking DOWN Trap from the H.B. Trail starts off modestly enough, but soon (15-20 mins. one-way) becomes a web of boulders with 50'+ drop-offs common. It MAY "go", but it will be a real adventure. As we were carrying our full backpacks (hoping to "short-cut" over to the Red Tanks)and this was merely an explatoratory trip, we aborted and returned to the standard Hoolie/Red Tanks route. Looking back UP Trap from the R.T. trail, it was/is awfully choked and we were not so disappointed to have aborted.
We did, however, clip all/most of all the catclaw mimosa/mesquite/Palo Verde/holly branches that were across the trail the entire JF/Hoolie/Red Tanks/Peters loop (Hoolie & Peters are pretty overgrown, or WERE), which added at least 5-6 hours hiking time to the loop, if not more. We wore out two brand new pairs of clippers (not to mention our poor right hands)in the process.
Ever wonder where all that $$ from your America the Beautiful Pass GOES? Hint: NOT trail maintenance, THAT'S for sure.

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Feb 18 2007 9:07 pm

from the R.T. side...did you see any water? a spring?
did you see the overhang (looks like amphitheater)?

Hoffmaster · Post by **Hoffmaster** » Feb 18 2007 11:47 pm

I'm back from my weekend adventures. Bull Basin Loop with a side trip to Tony Cabin was awesome! Tough climb on Bull Basin Trail. That trail was slightly overgrown, but I wore longsleeves and pushed through without a scratch.

Hiked Peters trail out and back from Tortilla Trailhead to Dutchman trail today. I ran into Kurt (hikeaz) about 5 miles in. He was trimming trees! But I did not think the trail was overgrown up to that point. Perhaps we have different definitions of "overgrown". I base my definition off of Tortilla Creek upstream of Peters Canyon. Insane catclaw! :twisted: Impossible to escape unscathed!

Kurt, it was great to meet you today! Keep up the good work.

hikeaz · Post by **hikeaz** » Feb 19 2007 9:12 am

Matt Hoffman wrote: Hiked Peters trail out and back from Tortilla Trailhead to Dutchman trail today. I ran into Kurt (hikeaz) about 5 miles in. He was trimming trees! But I did not think the trail was overgrown up to that point. Perhaps we have different definitions of "overgrown". I base my definition off of Tortilla Creek upstream of Peters Canyon. Insane catclaw! :twisted: Impossible to escape unscathed!

Kurt, it was great to meet you today! Keep up the good work.

Matt, good to meet you, as well.
I hope that you & Fairweather enjoyed your trip! Well, hopefully you noticed a difference in the trail when you were heading back out to Tortilla Well. (just say you did to humor me; OK?

)The Hoolie was the biggest task in the loop (mostly catclaw mimosa)... whew!

hikeaz · Post by **hikeaz** » Feb 19 2007 9:28 am

mikeinFHAZ wrote:from the R.T. side...did you see any water? a spring?
did you see the overhang (looks like amphitheater)?

Mike,
We did not hike up the canyon, but based on the profusion of vegetation that we saw upcanyon, I'd say that the spring is likely flowing most of the year. If you are asking as to get a drinking water report - heading to Labarge may be the easier method unless you're camping near the mouth of Trap. Labarge Creek has some large pools near where the R.T. Trail drops down to the creek level after you pass through the "box", and again, later, when you near the Whiskey junction.
re. the "alcove" - there is one that we saw (large - maybe 15' high x 40' wide +/-) but I'm unsure if it's the one to which you refer.

Desertroux · Post by **Desertroux** » Feb 19 2007 9:47 am

I think our goal was just to do some exploring and check out a new to our eyes spring. If We didn't find the spring our plans were to continue to LaBarge.

SuperstitionGuy · Post by **SuperstitionGuy** » Feb 21 2007 9:49 pm

Trap Canyon is not that difficult (but I am an experienced bushwacker!)and is well worth the trip. It is better to enter from the west end and if you are good at following sign you should be able to follow the old trail until it takes you just below the large overhang which is shaped like a huge band shell. There will be no firewood available in this natural shelter so gather it up long before you get there if your planning on having a campfire.

Climb up into this natural shelter from it's east end. There is a water hole a very short distance upstream from the point where you climb up. Hang your packs high for protection from the ringtails as they are active in this canyon.

At the east end of this short canyon is the trap which is created by many very large boulders. If you find the correct route through them you will pass over the trap which is a large room with no apparent exit. DO NOT SLIP AND FALL IN! A man by the name of Rick fenning (sp?) died in the east end of this canyon in 1979 or 1980 and his remains were found a year and and a half later washing downstream.

Hoffmaster · Post by **Hoffmaster** » Feb 21 2007 9:58 pm

That sounds very awesome! I'm completely sold on this trip!

te_wa · Post by **te_wa** » Feb 21 2007 10:02 pm

what I want to know is how you keep egging me on!
every time I hear about the "Danger of the Trap" Im just that closer to checking it out. Plus the old mining claim markers and the untamed feeling of the place including golf tee rock... Trap canyon must be investigated.

SuperstitionGuy · Post by **SuperstitionGuy** » Feb 21 2007 10:17 pm

To Mike & Matt,

Then go for it! I am now 66 years old and will be living out of state for the next year and a half. Even if I return to Arizona I probably won't be able to backpack into Trap Canyon again. SO PLEASE TAKE PICTURES AND GIVE US A GOOD TRIP REPORT!

wallyfrack · Post by **wallyfrack** » Feb 21 2007 10:24 pm

I was just in Trap Canyon on 2/10. I checked out the shallow caves but it seems I missed the best part. I hear it calling me back.

Hoffmaster · Post by **Hoffmaster** » Feb 21 2007 10:55 pm

SuperstitionGuy wrote: Matt, go for it! PLEASE TAKE PICTURES AND GIVE US A GOOD TRIP REPORT!

Don't worry. I always lug my camera gear on every trip. I will document accordingly!

Desertroux · Post by **Desertroux** » Feb 21 2007 11:39 pm

Likewise, My camera is always in tow. Im excited about this one.