First Water TH to Canyon Lake Photoset • kingsnake • 2020-02-13 • HikeArizona.COM

First Water TH to Canyon Lake, AZ

	2020-02-13
	18 by kingsnake

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First Water TH to Canyon Lake

Phoenix, AZ

First Water TH to Canyon Lake

Phoenix, AZ

Hiking	8.42 Miles	1,265 AEG

Hiking	8.42 Miles
	1,265 ft AEG

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I had intended to do my video intro at the First Water Trailhead map board, but there were too many talkative oldsters milling about, and besides I felt self-concious about it. I got far enough ahead of them that I was able to do my intro at the trail split instead.

Second Water Trail #236 narrows to single track, and gets rocky as it descends to Boulder Canyon. I really don’t like rocky, as it makes my feet sore, and I have to take care I don’t twist one of my bad knees. Hiking poles really help with balance. My first hiking pole was actually a saguaro rib I picked up at Ballantine Corral [ photoset ] . It made such a huge difference, that I became a convert, running out that week to REI to buy actual hiking poles: A pair I still use, all duct-taped together. (I tend to maximize the ROI on my purchases or, less generously, I am a ragbag.)

Near Second Water Creek, I met a couple of English hikers who were wondering if there was a way up Battleship. I knew there is a safe route up it, but where, I was not sure enough to tell them.

Second Water Creek had pooling with trickle; so did Boulder Creek. La Barge also had pooling, but I did not see any trickle and was able to cross dry.

I think the climb up from La Barge looks worse than it is. Looking at my route, 500 AEG in a half mile seems worse than it was. There's plenty of switchbacks.

While taking a short break at a scenic spot above La Barge, my hiking shoes finally began delaminating. The fuzzy covering on the laces has been almost gone for ages, and the tread is so thin, they are basically mocassins at this point. But hey, they were still wearable. Not if I am tripping over flapping tread, though. 25 months and 1300+ miles later ...

Descending the ridge towards Canyon Lake, there is an unsigned trail intersection. The official route, which continues straight, is narrow with a line of small rocks across it, seeming to indicate it is no longer active. The major trail was left, so that is the way I went. I soon realized while I appeared to be on the active route, it was not the “official” trail. So, I doubled back to the intersection. Either way is fine, and left only adds a ¼ mile to your total distance.

I met my shuttle driver / loving wife at the Canyon Lake Marina, where I enjoyed a few beers while feeding bits of my chile burger to the marina’s crows & ducks.