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Barks Canyon - Complete Route - 4 members in 8 triplogs have rated this an average 3.8 ( 1 to 5 best )
8 triplogs
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May 17 2023
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 Guides 59
 Routes 1,100
 Photos 1,191
 Triplogs 1,290

male
 Joined Jan 01 2023
 Arizona
Barks Canyon - Complete RoutePhoenix, AZ
Barks Canyon - Complete Route
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar May 17 2023
pseudalpine • Triplogs 1,290
Hiking7.31 Miles 1,779 AEG
Hiking7.31 Miles   3 Hrs   43 Mns   2.26 mph
1,779 ft AEG      29 Mns Break
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Dutchman Trail #104
Bluff Springs Trail #235
Superstition Mnts - SW / the Sundial
Peralta Trail #102
Peralta to Fremont Saddle
Partners none no partners
Route Scout Route Recorded  on Route Scout | Pop | Map | Popup | MapDEX
The section of this route near the Dutchman Trail was a crappy bushwhack, but the canyon itself had some very nice areas. Still more water than expected with many tadpoles and frogs. To the young group of backpackers who had a small fire under the Lone Pine. You can do better!
 Fauna
 Fauna [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Scorpion
 Named place
 Named place [ checklist ]
[ checklist ]  Barks Canyon
  9 archives
Feb 27 2018
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 Guides 187
 Routes 989
 Photos 12,068
 Triplogs 864

72 male
 Joined Jun 27 2015
 Tucson, Arizona
Dutchman Lower Barks Canyon Loop, AZ 
Dutchman Lower Barks Canyon Loop, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Feb 27 2018
markthurman53 • Triplogs 864
Hiking11.40 Miles 1,802 AEG
Hiking11.40 Miles   5 Hrs   59 Mns   2.42 mph
1,802 ft AEG   1 Hour   16 Mns Break15 LBS Pack
 
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Dutchman Trail #104
Bluff Springs Trail #235
Barks Canyon - Complete Route
Partners none no partners
Day two I was suppose to do the Terrapin Dutchman loop and return on the Bluff springs Trail, but due to a storm coming in and not knowing when it would arrive I opted to not travel in as far. For this hike I did the Dutchman from the Peralta Trail Head to Miners pass to Bluff Spring. Returned on the Bluff Spring Trail and took lower Barks Canyon route to the Dutchman and return to the Peralta Trail Head. Turns out the storm didn't come in until much later in the afternoon but the winds picked up quite a bit. The drive back to Tucson was quite windy and dusty especially around Casa Grand. Turned out to be a great day for hiking though, just a bit breezy on the passes.
The Dutchman trail from the Peralta Trail Head is quite a pleasant stroll. The climb up to Miners pass is gradual enough that you hardly work up a sweat. Great views of Barkley Basin and Miners Needle and some other formations that I have no clue what they are called. This is the first time seeing Miners Needle and didn't even know that was its name until I got back and was reviewing one of the maps. I did notice the window high up in the formation so I guess the name is appropriate. This trail seems to be used a lot by horses so it is well maintained and easy walking. The climb up to miners pass is steady but not overly steep and once at the pass it is a pleasant stroll down to Bluff Spring. A bit windy on the pass and with a temperature in the upper 50's it seamed a bit cold but once off the pass it was pleasant again.
Took a side trip to Bluff Spring and there was a trickle of water coming out of the pipe. Back on the Dutchman I headed to the Bluff Spring Trail. Took the Bluff Spring Trail down past the Terrapin Trail to Barks Canyon. Standing at the junction of the Bluff spring and Barks Canyon I looked at the boulders in the canyon and contemplated if I really wanted to do this alone. My options were to take this canyon or head down the Bluff Spring Trail but since I did the Bluff Spring Yesterday I decided to go down the Canyon, it would be different. Just had to go into the be more cautious mode (no site seeing while hopping). Quite an interesting route, lots of boulder hopping and route finding (try to find the best route down the creek that won't end up at a drop off). The route stays in the wash and surprisingly very navigable. There are section that the creek crosses bedrock and the going is easy but at the lower end of these easy spots are large rock jams that means you are back to boulder hopping (no real climbing involved). At the lower end of the wash there is an old mine on the east side of the creek and it is at this spot that it appears it is best to leave the creek and head down a ridge to the Dutchman Trail. I didn't do this at first but after reviewing the route on my GPS I noticed that it left the creek, I headed off east out of the creek to catch the route. I believe this is the best way because the creek gets chocked in brush and tall grass. The only water I saw in this canyon was in pools that collected on the bedrock in the creek. Glad I opted to do this stretch because while it was a bit slower it had its rewards. Once back on the Dutchman Trail I headed back to the Peralta Trail Head. Being on the Dutchman after this rock hopping adventure I felt like I was on Interstate 8 at two in the morning, clear sailing.
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Mar 17 2017
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 Triplogs 10

34 male
 Joined Dec 12 2016
 Phoenix, Arizona
Barks Canyon - Complete RoutePhoenix, AZ
Barks Canyon - Complete Route
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 17 2017
purplebunny100 • Triplogs 10
Hiking6.00 Miles 2,500 AEG
Hiking6.00 Miles
2,500 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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Mar 13 2013
avatar

 Routes 596
 Photos 9,604
 Triplogs 2,400

58 male
 Joined Jan 30 2011
 Chandler, AZ
Supes Ridgeline/Barks Canyon, AZ 
Supes Ridgeline/Barks Canyon, AZ
 
Hiking avatar Mar 13 2013
JuanJaimeiii • Triplogs 2,400
Hiking15.25 Miles 5,379 AEG
Hiking15.25 Miles   6 Hrs   32 Mns   2.40 mph
5,379 ft AEG      10 Mns Break
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Superstition Ridgeline
Barks Canyon - Complete Route
Partners none no partners
Good times out hiking the Ridgeline with Devils Mountain. He put together a nice little twist for the end. Rather than going down West Boulder we went down Barks Canyon. Very cool hike indeed. Thanks for putting this one together Mike.
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Light

water 1 out of 5water 2 out of 5water 3 out of 5water 4 out of 5 Barks Canyon Heavy flow Heavy flow
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Mar 01 2011
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 Routes 37
 Photos 2,160
 Triplogs 627

43 female
 Joined Mar 01 2010
 Phoenix, AZ
Barks Canyon - Complete RoutePhoenix, AZ
Barks Canyon - Complete Route
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Mar 01 2011
juliachaos • Triplogs 627
Hiking7.50 Miles 2,500 AEG
Hiking7.50 Miles
2,500 ft AEG
 
no photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Peralta Trail #102
Partners partners
driskill
Glenn had told me previously that he'd never been to the Superstitions or bushwhacked before. I thought back to when Chumley, Joel and I had done what we thought was Barks Upper and decided that the complete route would be perfect. It really was!

The lower portion of Barks Canyon is just beautiful right now. Lots of water and solitude. We only saw three other dudes while in the canyon, and they gave us suspicious glances as we passed by. They were likely just exploring off the Bluff Springs trail and not expecting to see anyone down that way. We continued past the Bluff Springs trail and continued on the Barks Upper portion, which is a blocked-off trail and fairly well-cairned at first. Later portions of the trail begin to disappear and cairns can become scarce or hard to see. We eventually made our ways up and to the little campsite overlook. Took a break there for some food and beverages, then decided on taking the Peralta trail back to the TH. The Cave trail would have been an excellent choice, but we were a bit tired from the elevation gains and route-finding, and it was nice to not need to search for cairns anymore.

Really enjoyed the lower portion of this route. The upper was nice, but there wasn't as much water. We did find snow at several points, however! Obviously I had to stop and build a small snowman at one point... I think Glenn has pictures of that. The battery was dead in my camera, so no pictures from me.. :(
wildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observationwildflower observation
Wildflowers Observation Isolated
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Jan 30 2011
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 Guides 1
 Routes 6
 Photos 310
 Triplogs 112

47 male
 Joined Dec 30 2010
 Phoenix, AZ
Barks Canyon - Complete RoutePhoenix, AZ
Barks Canyon - Complete Route
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 30 2011
Boscoaz • Triplogs 112
Hiking6.00 Miles 2,500 AEG
Hiking6.00 Miles   4 Hrs      1.50 mph
2,500 ft AEG
 no routesno photosets
1st trip
Linked   linked  
Peralta Trail #102
Partners partners
BPRED
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BoscoAZ
Action Conquers Fear - Peter Nivio Zarlenga
 
Jan 18 2010
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 Guides 1
 Routes 2
 Photos 3,905
 Triplogs 154

female
 Joined Nov 23 2003
 Gold Canyon, AZ
Barks Canyon - Complete RoutePhoenix, AZ
Barks Canyon - Complete Route
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 18 2010
suzaz • Triplogs 154
Hiking6.00 Miles 2,500 AEG
Hiking6.00 Miles
2,500 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
We did this a little differently than the described route. We went up Peralta, headed over to the Pine Tree, then dropped in at the top of the canyon and headed down. There was some sort of weather in the forecast but it turned out to be a nice day. Enjoyed the company and the lower section of this canyon more than the top.
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Jan 14 2007
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 Guides 107
 Routes 249
 Photos 2,067
 Triplogs 514

male
 Joined Nov 18 2005
 Phoenix, AZ
Barks Canyon - Complete RoutePhoenix, AZ
Barks Canyon - Complete Route
Phoenix, AZ
Hiking avatar Jan 14 2007
nonot • Triplogs 514
Hiking6.00 Miles 2,500 AEG
Hiking6.00 Miles   5 Hrs   30 Mns   1.09 mph
2,500 ft AEG
 no routes
1st trip
Linked   none no linked trail guides
Partners none no partners
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http://hikearizona.com/garmin_maps.php

Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, ankle-twisting, HAZmaster crushing ROCKS!!
Hike Arizona it is full of sharp, pointy, shin-stabbing, skin-shredding plants!
Hike Arizona it is full of striking, biting, stabbing, venomous wildlife!
 
average hiking speed 1.93 mph

WARNING! Hiking and outdoor related sports can be dangerous. Be responsible and prepare for the trip. Study the area you are entering and plan accordingly. Dress for the current and unexpected weather changes. Take plenty of water. Never go alone. Make an itinerary with your plan(s), route(s), destination(s) and expected return time. Give your itinerary to trusted family and/or friends.

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