"Middle" La Barge Canyon hikeable?

[mr_squishy]

I've been scouring Carlson and searched HAZ and can find no mention of anyone hiking the stretch of La Barge canyon between the Boulder Canyon and Cavalry Trails. Has anyone attempted this route?
I'm also wondering if one could do the climb of Battleship Mtn from First Water TH as a traverse up and over into La Barge, down to Cavalry, and back to First Water via Boulder Canyon.
Mike S

[te_wa]

its a moderate for most style route save for some big-boulder hopping in the middle section of the lower box. there are some thick(ish) marsh type weeds, bullrush and such and a couple of scrambles towards the end before you reach the cavalry side. i like it, and will do it again.
from the east side of battleship you will find a use trail that goes up and over that saddle and into the mouth of the box.
i have not read much detail about the loop save for John's trail report here: http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=229

when youre done with this loop, its then time to step up a notch and go thru Trap Canyon.

[The_Eagle]

step up a notch and go thru Trap Canyon.

[nonot]

I've been scouring Carlson and searched HAZ and can find no mention of anyone hiking the stretch of La Barge canyon between the Boulder Canyon and Cavalry Trails. Has anyone attempted this route?
I'm also wondering if one could do the climb of Battleship Mtn from First Water TH as a traverse up and over into La Barge, down to Cavalry, and back to First Water via Boulder Canyon.
Mike S

I have done this twice, and this section is described in John's writeup of Lower Labarge Box:
http://hikearizona.com/decoder.php?ZTN=229

Here is a GPS route:
http://hikearizona.com/location_g.php?GPS=8897

Without water, it's a little rock hoppy, but not bad. With water, it's scrambly at times if you don't want to get your feet wet. It's a fun loop and a good introduction to Supes off-trail creek hikes. Without water I'd say it's kinda a blah hike...perhaps better done in March after the winter rains.

You can go over the Battleship saddle that separates LaBarge from Boulder, but I don't know if doing the loop and a summit of Battleship in a single day is doable - it probably is for some, but will be a very long day - bring a headlamp and GPS. Note that hiking Boulder canyon in the dark is not going to be fun.

[John9L]

I went through La Barge about six years ago. We went in from Canyon Lake and worked our to Cavalry Trail on the south side of La Barge. We proceeded north through the canyon and made our way back to the car as darkness set in. It was a demanding hike but very doable. We had a group of ten of varying hiking skills. Everyone was whooped by the end! A few folks including myself refilled treated water we scooped up from the creek. I've been looking to go back. Shoot me a PM if your interested in someone tagging along. I want to hike this before summer sets in.