explore Trap Canyon in the western Supes

[te_wa]

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.

[scorpion scus]

what are the dates for this hike.

[te_wa]

March 3-4th sat&sun

[te_wa]

In response to mikeinFHAZ's reply:

We are scheduled to meet at Peralta trailhead on Saturday morning March 3rd @ 8-8:30 a.m.
If anyone going preferred to carpool pm either DesertRoux (awahtukee) or myself (ftn hills)
I will be crossing the intersection of Gilbert rd and US 60 and can grab some passengers from there. Parking is available @ Carls JR

if you are going but cannot make the time schedule, the time can be changed. we're flexible. Some might even want to camp @ Peralta on Friday.

[te_wa]

here's another excellent reason to head out to the Supes, with the clear skies this should be a cool sight

"Don't miss the lunar eclipse this weekend"
Sarah Walters
12 News Weather Plus Meteorologist
Mar. 2, 2007 11:44 AM


When you’re out and about this Saturday evening, don’t forget to look up. Saturday, March 3rd, the moon will pass through the shadow of the earth…a lunar eclipse! The best way to view the lunar eclipse is to find a clear location, free from hills and buildings, and look off to the east. The moonrise tomorrow will be at 6:28pm, and as the moon rises, it will turn a beautiful color of glowing, red. You don’t want to miss this sight!

For more information on the lunar eclipse, go to spaceweather.com

[Desertroux]

Great excursion gentlemen. It was definatly a trip to remember. I hope we can do it again soon.

[nonot]

Good meeting all you folks, let me know the next time you have a trip scheduled.

[Hoffmaster]

I wish I could've been there. My weekend was...well...less than exciting. Next time I hope. Checked out your pics. That canyon looks like the sort of thing that I live for. I'll be checking it out soon. Did you make it the whole way through?

[wallyfrack]

In response to Matt Hoffman's reply:

We went most of the way (maybe?) through Trap Canyon, ran short on daylight and desire so we turned back. We may have made a wrong turn?

[SuperstitionGuy]

Mike, Desertroux & nonot thanks for the Trap Canyon pictures. You reached the east end of the canyon short of maybe 200 yards. And you did miss the trap. I suspect you were to the left of it maybe 50 to 80 feet which is an alternate route but does have some difficult ups and downs. I would have continued through and returned via the upper LaBarge box which has a nice trail. But it is always interesting to see a new route from both directions. Did the ringtail cats visit your campsite while you were there?

[nonot]

Mike, Desertroux & nonot thanks for the Trap Canyon pictures. You reached the east end of the canyon short of maybe 200 yards. And you did miss the trap. I suspect you were to the left of it maybe 50 to 80 feet which is an alternate route but does have some difficult ups and downs. I would have continued through and returned via the upper LaBarge box which has a nice trail. But it is always interesting to see a new route from both directions. Did the ringtail cats visit your campsite while you were there?

Were the 200 yards straight up because it was incredibly steep towards the end? :

We missed it? Alright guys, time to do it all again. This time in 1 day.

[wallyfrack]

We missed it? Alright guys, time to do it all again. This time in 1 day.

I have the 17th open.

[fairweather8588]

Looked like an awesome trip, im bummed i couldnt make it

[SuperstitionGuy]

There is a box canyon leading off to the left just before you enter the area where the house size boulders make up the maze and trap. If you ventured up it you would have had to climb over the top and then climb down to where you would pick up the trail leading south to the Upper LaBarge Box. If you would have hiked this trail east and north you would have ended up at the Tortilla Trailhead.

Next time you enter the area of the house size boulders stay in the streambed until you have to climb over a rock formation that comes down from the south side. Then you will enter a cave like structure made up of those house size boulders. A short hike up through this cave will take you to the trap which is about two to two and a half feet across and maybe six to seven feet wide. The room below the trap I believe has no other entry or exit and is quite deep. Check it out with one of the new bright light emitting diode flashlights when you find the trap.

[te_wa]

well, its been a year and a half and with the daytime forecast of 79° Im going to go back out to the Trap...
this time, leaving from Peralta to hike up and around Herman Mtn. and go south thru Trap Canyon to eventually break camp at Labarge Spring. Day one estimated mileage is 11.6
day two hike out Dutchman/Bluff spring to the cars.

this will be for this coming weekend, October 11&12th.
overnight low 52

[nonot]

Dang, this is short notice, I'll think about it.

[wallyfrack]

If my Saturday plans fall through I could day hike it but that's a maybe. I will get back in there again.

[te_wa]

Dang, this is short notice, I'll think about it.

i know, i have really been struggling with what to do this weekend, but i hope you guys can make it. that would be a hulluva dayhike tho

[mttgilbert]

I'd been toying with the idea of meeting up with the group in the evening (after work) and camping/hiking out on sunday. Last night, my wife suggested that we take on the Tour de Fat. So, alas, I will be passing on this trip after all...

Have a good trip and enjoy the catclaw!

[te_wa]

unusual bout of cool air this weekend. 71/56 for the area.
unlike Happy Jack, mid 50s and 20° for a low.

[williamlove]

I just read the description of a 4 person Trap Canyon hike by nonot. I was blown away.

I stumbled into this canyon from the Hoolie Bacon side years ago. I was alone (I never dreamed anyone else would do this stuff until I found this site). I went about a half mile down, and amost fell once. Lucky for me, I aborted and saved it for another day. But that day never came. I knew it was really hard and dangerous and never got around to it. But I always felt interested. Last year I went back but it was hot and the brush looked so nasty, I decided not to go in, and I just enjoyed the basin and hiked back. I love this area.

I think the 4 guys who went up there and back will treasure the memory. I'm also grateful for the descriptions because I was thinking of going back, probably alone, and I realize now I need to REALLY prepare (maybe take some climbing equipment) and be super careful etc. Its probably a bad idea from a common sense standpoint but from an adventure standpoint I feel it calling. It has a unique quality, to me. Nice work, nonot!