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| Hiking | 9.75 Miles |
500 AEG |
| | Hiking | 9.75 Miles | 6 Hrs 11 Mns | | 1.88 mph |
| 500 ft AEG | 1 Hour Break | | | |
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| no partners | | When working at the First Water TH as a Volunteer with the Forest Service, I'm often asked a lot of questions about trails that aren't on our "Master Map" that's posted at the Trailhead. One such question refers to connecting Black Mesa Trail with Second Water Trail by following Second Water Creek down to where it connects with Second Water Trail just above Boulder Creek.
So I researched the Carlson/Stewart Hikers Guide and found that there is a trail that has a write-up in their book, HAZ also has a trail description listed, although it hasn't had much activity and it's listed as Canyoneering. Neither description was very flattering, but I needed to get out and since this was going to be such a nice seasonal day.....well, uh lets go for it.
Arriving at the First Water TH before 0700, I was shocked to be the only vehicle in the parking lot. I got my gear on, signed the log and hit the trails as the daylight was just showing enough to not need a flashlight. It was a beautiful morning, not a breeze was blowing, the birds were singing and there was a nice blanket of clouds that could provide for a spectacular sunrise, if it all stayed together.
I was on the uphill stretch of Second Water Trail heading for Garden Valley when I caught the first glimpse of color being reflected off the bottoms of the clouds and figured that I better shoot em now as I had hopes that I would be farther along at this point (darn-it days are getting longer now). Arriving at the signpost in Garden Valley I hung a right on Black Mesa Trail and the sunrise was only getting better. Walking into the rising sun usually bugs the snot out of me, but this was nothing to complain about as It kept the camera busy 
Finally, according to the descriptions, it was about time to exit Black Mesa Trail, hang a left through the Cholla Forest and start bushwhacking up a short gradual rise heading North. From the top of the ridge, I'm looking past Geronomo's Head at Four Peaks while spread before me is a featureless gradual descent into what must be the headwaters of Second Water Creek....Not much of a canyon yet... 
This part of the hike is a pain in the  as you're working through irregularly shaped Basaltic rock, patches of Prickly Pear, Chained & Staghorn Cholla and Catclaw reaching out to snag ya. The dry flowage was thick with brush so I stayed high to avoid getting cut-up but that resulted in a lot of zig-zagging as I worked my way down the slope.
Finally I arrived at the creek where I thought I could safely continue on but almost immediately, I heard the unmistakable snort of a Javelina coming from the thick brush ahead of me. This guy was obviously not pleased that I was invading its territory as it kept snorting and busting the brush close by (close enough that I could smell it)  I threw a few rocks in the direction of the noise but that wasn't working so I retraced my tracks and beat feet about a hundred feet farther down the wash. Once past the Pig, I noticed some steel pipe in the wash so there had to be a spring above and a tank below. I wasn't going to go back up, so I continued on down until shortly, I came upon a concrete tank that was in bad shape.
A little farther down the wash I arrived at a large camping area with multiple fire pits placed among the low growing Mesquite trees. I noticed the initials painted on the rocks mentioned by Wallyfrack during his visit and the old rusted bed frame under a tree  There's supposed to be a mine shaft a short distance up the hill, but the brush was too thick to go exploring for it so instead I sat down and had a much needed break.
From here on down the creek, there was pools of water from the active springs in the area and the canyon narrowed enough to force me to seek footings along the fairly steep sides (OK, now it's canyoneering) I continued following the creek so intently that I missed the Second Water Trail exit point and almost got to Boulder Creek before realizing I should be going the other way  I still don't care much for this portion of the Second Water Trail heading up to Garden Valley but there aren't too many options.
Once at the old earthen stock watering tank, I cut straight across the back side of Garden Valley through the Cholla Forest, connecting with the trail leading down along Hackberry Mesa. Then across the First Water valley to the old tin covered corral, up the old road to First Water Road and back to the Trailhead where I had my traditional salted-in-the-shell peanuts and a cool brew while sitting on the tailgate of my truck (just my tribute to Doug).
So now if someone ask's me about connecting Black Mesa Trail with Second Water Trail above Boulder Creek, I can give them info from first-hand knowledge and let it go from there |
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| On every trip into the Superstitions, I find another Gold Mine. Today the mine was filled with Memories. I can not wait for the next trip. |
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Route Editor
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