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| Canyoneering | 14.00 Miles |
3,540 AEG |
| | Canyoneering | 14.00 Miles | 7 Hrs | | 2.00 mph |
| 3,540 ft AEG | | | | |
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| | Canyon Hiking - Non-technical; no rope; easy scrambling; occasional hand use | | A - Dry or little water; shallow or avoidable water; no wet/dry suit | | II - Normally requires a half day |
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| no partners | | La Barge has been on my radar for quite a while. Pulled the trigger today. Never been to La Barge but I have hiked in the surrounding area, though it has been a while....too long, in fact. Left Canyon Lake Th around 6:30. Dark enough that I started off with a headlamp. By the time I reached the top of the hill it was light enough that I had the light off. Didn’t want to be burdened with the lamp so,I decided to hide it under a bush off trail. (Took me 20 minutes to find the dumb thing on my return ](https://hikearizona.com/dex2/images/smilies/eusa_wall.gif "Brick wall") . Swore I had the right bush, but it was underneath its brother 20 feet up the trail). After the climb of the hill, I really enjoyed Boulder Canyon trail. Great views and I like how the trail plays with the higher elevation. The descent into the canyon is not much fun (down or up). Loose rocks being the biggest annoyance.
Sometimes my reading comprehension isn’t as sharp as I would like it to be. Such was the case with this hike. Now having done it and rereading the description, it is crystal clear. But to be honest I was a little unsure going in. A passing hiker was kind enough to help orient me on my intentions and I was off heading up La Barge Canyon. This is literally a rock hoppers delight. My shoes seldom touched soil as I made way up the dry wash. Alas, there was no running water, though there was evidence of where the water had flowed in previous days. La Barge’s Box was pretty sweet. Seeing pictures prior to hiking it took away some of the “wow” impact, but it was still an amazing sight. There were several pools in the box with water trickling amongst them. It made preceding past this point rather challenging as I had to scale the north wall. Little dicey, but doable. Moving further up the wash there were 3 other instances where vehicle sized boulders made progressing a challenge - a fun challenge. As I was going up the wash I spied 2 big horns showcasing their “mad foot skills” on the rocks above me. Awesome seeing them in their natural environment. Made it into the area where the wash became somewhat choked with trees, before turning around. I’m guessing Calvary trail may have only been a few bends in the wash away..... Going back down the wash wasn’t quite as challenging, except in the box where the water was  . Right before the box there an obvious campsite and from there a trail that leads up an over the saddle just south of Battleship Mountain. Followed this trail to the saddle where there is a “Y”; one branch leads up to Battleship, the other heads down and connects to Boulder Canyon. From there took Boulder Canyon trail back to the TH. Climb out wasn’t as bad as I thought, even with the loose rocks. Perfect day for this hike. |
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Route Editor
Route Scout
Route 
Started at First Water which still had plenty of parking at 0800, first time visiting Garden Valley since last year, not great but not as depressing as expected. Linda spotted a coyote coming toward us until it was aware of us and then rocketed away. Came across a headless batting helmet and jacket at the Black Mesa junction 
. Second water trail still has it’s ankle rolling rocks as you descend , it went by quickly with entertaining conversation. Headed south on Boulder Creek easy to negotiate the crossings since dry. The route up toward the stern of Battleship now has plentiful cairns. Dropped down into LaBarge Box with some pools of water but obviously lower than the high tide mark. Took a break where it looked boulderly painful to continue on, as we snacked we were circled by a couple of hikers whom we couldn’t help with directions to rainbow falls? After exiting the box came the slow going part of figuring out the route through the maze of boulders and catclaw . Once down lower with the sheer cliffs above us it was easier going until finally being made aware of the approaching Boulder Canyon Trail by the presence of horse riders. Up to the paint mine where there were two others there ,only others we saw today until back at the trailhead, Linda pointed out a couple of prospects she had dropped into before “just because they were there “, fortunately skipped that today. Back up second water trail seemed like the breeze had disappeared and the sun intensity increased. Failed on a couple of sun block stop requests but managed to score a shoelace tightening break , one of us doesn’t use iron shoelaces 
The box is very impressive, why have I waited this long to see it?? Walked the length of the box, then propped myself against a rock, took my shoes and socks off and relaxed by one of the pools for a good 30 minutes. I had the box to myself which was a bit surprising for a Sunday. Passed by several groups on the climb out but not a soul anywhere near the box. It amazes me to see the amount of people hiking up Boulder Canyon trail with little to no water. 
