LaBARGE NARROWS
LaBARGE NARROWS
Not for the novice hiker, this combination hike and cross-county
exploration leads to a breathtaking, secluded box canyon with that harbors a cloistered
riparian ecosystem in the Superstition Wilderness near Canyon Lake.
The
adventure follows Boulder Canyon Trail #103 along a desert ridge above Canyon
Lake Marina before making a steep descent to where LaBarge Creek flows across
the trail at the 2.9-mile point.
Boulder Trail crosses the stream and veers
right, but to get to the box canyon, leave the trail, veer left and follow the creek
bed heading southeast. (Note: this route may be impassible after heavy rains.) From
this point on, the hike is a cross-country boulder scramble.
Do not attempt
this hike if you are not in shape or lack basic route-finding skills.
The destination appears as a prominent pyramid-shaped
outcropping upstream--use that as your guide. As the route traverses the rugged
sycamore-and-bear-grass-lined washes in the shadow of blocky Battleship
Mountain, which flanks the western edge of the watercourse, the passage gets
progressively tougher until, at the entrance to the �narrows�, the canyon is
choked with massive quartz-encrusted monoliths.
Strong hikers will have no
trouble picking through the rocks to reach the goal. Within the towering walls
of the narrows, golden Velvet ash trees dot the shores of tiny pools like
windswept beacons of light. Autumn foliage color usually lasts through mid-December
here unless frost turns the leaves prematurely brown.
Darting flocks of canyon
wrens, chattering cardinals and roosting hawks find food and shelter among the
cattails, reeds and willows that feast on the precious waters of LaBarge Creek.
Depending on water levels, you can hike through the twisting, rocky corridor as
far as you like but consider your time wisely as the return trip back up the
canyon will feel worse and take longer than you�d expect. The second bend within
the narrows at roughly the 4.7-mile point makes for a good turnaround point leaving
plenty of time to slog your way out with daylight to spare.
LENGTH: 9.4 miles out-and-back
RATING: moderate-difficult
ELEVATION: 1,600 � 2,400 feet
GETTING THERE: From U.S. 60 in Apache Junction take
the State Route 88 (Idaho Road) exit. Turn left at the off-ramp light and
continue on SR 88 for 15 miles to the Canyon Lake Marina between mileposts 210
and 211. A Tonto Pass is not required if you park in the designated hiker parking
area. The trail begins at the sign for Boulder Canyon Trail #103 across the
road.
INFO:
Tonto National Forest, Superstition Wilderness
 |
| LaBarge Narrows in the Supes. |
 |
| Hike begins near Canyon Lake. |
 |
| LaBarge Creek route. |
Not for the novice hiker, this combination hike and cross-county
exploration leads to a breathtaking, secluded box canyon with that harbors a cloistered
riparian ecosystem in the Superstition Wilderness near Canyon Lake.
 |
| Hiker at the base of Narrows walls. |
The
adventure follows Boulder Canyon Trail #103 along a desert ridge above Canyon
Lake Marina before making a steep descent to where LaBarge Creek flows across
the trail at the 2.9-mile point.
 |
| LaBarge Creek terrain. |
Boulder Trail crosses the stream and veers
right, but to get to the box canyon, leave the trail, veer left and follow the creek
bed heading southeast. (Note: this route may be impassible after heavy rains.) From
this point on, the hike is a cross-country boulder scramble.
 |
| Heading down Boulder Trail. |
Do not attempt
this hike if you are not in shape or lack basic route-finding skills.
 |
| Battleship Mtn. flanks the rough route. |
 |
| Save some energy for the hike out. |
 |
| Inside the Narrows |
The destination appears as a prominent pyramid-shaped
outcropping upstream--use that as your guide. As the route traverses the rugged
sycamore-and-bear-grass-lined washes in the shadow of blocky Battleship
Mountain, which flanks the western edge of the watercourse, the passage gets
progressively tougher until, at the entrance to the �narrows�, the canyon is
choked with massive quartz-encrusted monoliths.
 |
| Boulders at the Narrows entrance. |
Strong hikers will have no
trouble picking through the rocks to reach the goal. Within the towering walls
of the narrows, golden Velvet ash trees dot the shores of tiny pools like
windswept beacons of light. Autumn foliage color usually lasts through mid-December
here unless frost turns the leaves prematurely brown.
 |
| Rough route is not for novice hikers. |
Darting flocks of canyon
wrens, chattering cardinals and roosting hawks find food and shelter among the
cattails, reeds and willows that feast on the precious waters of LaBarge Creek.
 |
| Quartz crystals embedded in boulders. |
Depending on water levels, you can hike through the twisting, rocky corridor as
far as you like but consider your time wisely as the return trip back up the
canyon will feel worse and take longer than you�d expect. The second bend within
the narrows at roughly the 4.7-mile point makes for a good turnaround point leaving
plenty of time to slog your way out with daylight to spare.
LENGTH: 9.4 miles out-and-back
RATING: moderate-difficult
ELEVATION: 1,600 � 2,400 feet
GETTING THERE: From U.S. 60 in Apache Junction take
the State Route 88 (Idaho Road) exit. Turn left at the off-ramp light and
continue on SR 88 for 15 miles to the Canyon Lake Marina between mileposts 210
and 211. A Tonto Pass is not required if you park in the designated hiker parking
area. The trail begins at the sign for Boulder Canyon Trail #103 across the
road.
 |
| Battleship Mtn (L) and Weavers Needle (C) from Boulder Trl |
 |
| Canyon Lake seen from Boulder Trail. |
INFO:
Tonto National Forest, Superstition Wilderness
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