Boulder Canyon Trail Access Question

[rally_toad]

I saw in the paper that Canyon lake will be closed to recreation till at least January. Does anyone know if this means that there will be no parking available at the Marina for access to the Boulder Canyon Trail. If it is closed is there anywhere else I could park to access that trailhead? I have already planned several excursions into the Superstitions via that trailhead. I suppose I could make it to my destination via First Water TH but that would make the hike a whole lot longer and harder.

So anyone know?

[joebartels]

The Lakeside Restaurant & Cantina will remain open at its existing location during the drawdown.

how's that for a drawdown

[rally_toad]

Unfortunatley I just read on the Tonto NF Website that Boulder Trail is closed!!

I was even planning to head out there tomorrow. Alas I will either have to go from First Water or pick another hike. NO!!!

[joebartels]

yeah you're right
talk about a stupid rule...
the marina is open, the forest is open, but the "trailhead" is closed

You could drive to the high point between the marina and Tortilla Flats, I've done it about five times. Though I wouldn't do it if you're not into off-trail and good with a map.

[rally_toad]

Well Im just going to postpone that hike until late October and probably head in from First Water. It will add a little to the adventure experience I guesss.

But I am still puzzled why the trailhead is closed.

[te_wa]

hey man have no fear! in a few weeks we're heading into Boulder Canyon, and you are welcome to join us. The only drawback...
we're starting at Miles trailhead
Have you considered going up into LaBarge creek until you reach the Boulder Trail?
Or you could just hike the trail anyway, Im not saying you should but you could, I doubt there's a ranger patrolling the area.

[rally_toad]

I would love to join you for the week long hike but I have school and work. But within a year or two I want to plan a Trans wilderness hike in the supes. The destination of my hike was actually going to be the Lower LaBarge Box so I think I will be able to reach it via the Second Water Trail it will just add a few miles but those miles will be mostly flat unlike the approach to LaBarge Creek from Boulder Canyon Trailhead. I've only been there once and it was stunning. By far the coolest spot I've ever seen in the Supes and that is saying alot since there are so many amazing places in those mountains.

[te_wa]

yes Labarge box is maybe the coolest canyon in the supes. I thought about doing a hike all the way through the canyon and overnighting at Marsh valley or something. Hit me up if youre interested.

[rally_toad]

That would be fun. The other thing I would like to do is set up a base camp some where in the Supes and stay there for about a week, each day doing long day hikes and exploring different areas. But I wont have the time for extended backpacking or camping trips until next summer (which unfortuantely would be a horrible time to backpack in the Supes).

[nonot]

What makes it closed, it's not as if it's a paved trail or anything? Are they redoing the parking lot or something so you can't park there?

[joebartels]

I would venture to guess it's because of that spur trail that goes back down to the cove.

If anybody stops you just tell them your an illegal alien, they'll probably offer you a map.

[djui5]

If anybody stops you just tell them your an illegal alien, they'll probably offer you a map.

And a drivers license!

[rally_toad]

So since I've read that the trail was closed on the Tonto website I have seen two triplogs for Boulder Canyon.

So is it closed or not?

This is confusing.

[rally_toad]

For anyone wondering.... I was up there today and the trailhead did not appear to be closed. I did my hike and saw 2 other groups during the trip. I am gonna go back up there soon because the drive is alot more enjoyable when there are no boaters coming barreling around the blind curves at 40 mph hugging the yellow divider line.