Garden Valley - Backpacking

tracker · Post by **tracker** » Nov 04 2002 8:36 am

Has anyone on this site ever camped in Garden Valley. This weekend was my first time in this part of the Superstitions and I enjoyed the nice freeway-like trail through that area. If anyone has a great campsite in this area, please let me know.

nealz · Post by **nealz** » Nov 04 2002 10:13 am

Yup. It's a nice spot and as you said, easy to get to. I camped there with my sons on their first backpack trip some years ago and chose that destination specifically because it was easy access and not a particularly tough hike for a first-time trip. We camped near the intersection of the Second Water Trail (#236) and Black Mesa Trail (#241). There is a small Hohokan ruin right there and some grinding holes in the rocks on the nearby hill. It was a good introductory backpack trip. That year there was water in the washes on the way up but I doubt there'll be any right now. Good side trip opps up to Black Mesa and the 'Cholla Forest' as well as continuing down Second Water. Good luck.

-Nealz

landsinaz · Post by **landsinaz** » Nov 04 2002 5:47 pm

If you follow the horse trail north, it looks like there's some good area to camp in. If you are not set on being in Garden VAlley, the Hackberry Spring area is beautiful, too.

Nighthiker · Post by **Nighthiker** » Nov 04 2002 6:01 pm

I had my supper last night at the ruin in Garden Valley and completed the Garden Valley Loop. For camping I would suggest the east side of the valley south of the second water trail. I f you can lug a telescope or a pair of binoculars. No water in the valley. Check out Boulder Canyon east of Second Water and Hackberry Springs.

ck_1 · Post by **ck_1** » Nov 04 2002 7:05 pm

I must have just missed Nighthiker on Sunday...we did the Dutchman/Boulder Canyon/Second Water loop hike on Sunday...took our time, great hike...TONS of camping spots all throughout the loop, especially thru Garden Valley...

There is water at Second Water Spring, more than I expected, and it is clear, though not flowing. in the canyon...of course it's at the "bottom" of the steep hike up from Boulder Canyon, so if you're staying at Garden Valley, it's a bit of a haul...there are plenty of camping spots near the intersection of Second Water and Boulder Canyon, especially below Battleship in the north/east side of the stream bed

Nighthiker · Post by **Nighthiker** » Nov 05 2002 5:36 am

I arrived at the trailhead at apx. 630pm

tracker · Post by **tracker** » Nov 05 2002 8:33 am

Yeah, we hiked all the way to boulder canyon junction. I had been through that area before coming from Marsh valley. I hadnt hiked from the FW trailhead before and saw how wonderful Garden Valley was. Thanks for all the tips.