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Hike Battleship Mountain and La Barge Canyon in Tonto National Forest, Arizona - Stav is Lost

Hike Battleship Mountain and La Barge Canyon Tonto National Forest, AZ

Class 3 12.1 miles 3100 gain 4-6 hrs Loop
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude
DirectionsRoute MapDownload GPX

Feb 10, 2016 — This well-rounded hike takes you to highs and lows in the Superstition Mountains of Tonto National Forest near Phoenix, Arizona. Starting at the Boulder Canyon Trailhead, ascend for a few hundred feet to get gorgeous views of Battleship Mountain, La Barge Canyon, and Weaver's Needle way in the distance. This hike tackes two of these natural landmarks. Originally, I had no idea La Barge Canyon even existed. Only when I started the ascent to Battleship Mountain did I notice the gothic spikes of the canyon walls and immediately knew I had to make a side trip.

Hike along the well-marked Boulder Canyon Trail until you have passed the entirety of the Battleship Mountain formation, then look out for cairns to the left that lead you (poorly) to the very tip of the long plateau, the saddle between the two canyons. This is the easiest part to ascend. Many guides online explain a route that takes you to the east side of Battleship, so I tried it and realized on the way back how much easier the tail scramble is than the 3rd class way accompanied by a prickly desert traverse. Anyway, once on top of Battleship Mountain, follow the cairns (or just don't be dumb, there's clearly only one way to go) across the bridge feature and then to the far westernmost part, as it's 5th class to go direct. After the ascent, scramble back down and head east from the saddle and descend into La Barge Canyon. The canyon is right there, so explore away before continuing down the creek and meet back up with the Boulder Canyon Trail.

PEAKS ON HIKE
Elevation (ft) / Prominence (ft)
Peaks on hike
Elevation
Prominence
1
Battleship Mountain
2797 ft
497 rise

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photo protector The start of Boulder Canyon Trail, looking back at the marina from the first uphill.
The start of Boulder Canyon Trail, looking back at the marina from the first uphill.
photo protector Only a short distance in, there's already spectacular views, including Weaver's Needle way in the distance.
Only a short distance in, there's already spectacular views, including Weaver's Needle way in the distance.
photo protector Boulder Canyon to the right.
Boulder Canyon to the right.
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photo protector Battleship Mountain's steepest point. You have to go all the way around the back of it to get up there.
Battleship Mountain's steepest point. You have to go all the way around the back of it to get up there.
photo protector Descend into the desert wonderland.
Descend into the desert wonderland.
photo protector Cross La Barge Canyon, you'll be coming back this way to complete the loop.
Cross La Barge Canyon, you'll be coming back this way to complete the loop.
photo protector Continue along the Boulder Canyon Trail, Battleship Mountain to the left.
Continue along the Boulder Canyon Trail, Battleship Mountain to the left.
photo protector Battleship Mountain in the distance.
Battleship Mountain in the distance.
photo protector Almost at the point of starting the ascent to Battleship.
Almost at the point of starting the ascent to Battleship.
photo protector Looking back down Boulder Canyon.
Looking back down Boulder Canyon.
photo protector Heading up the prickly slope, following the unofficial trail toward Battleship.
Heading up the prickly slope, following the unofficial trail toward Battleship.
photo protector At the saddle, you can see Battleship Mountain to the left (get on top of it at the leftmost spot, its tail). La Barge Canyon is on the right.
At the saddle, you can see Battleship Mountain to the left (get on top of it at the leftmost spot, its tail). La Barge Canyon is on the right.
photo protector Approaching the tail of Battleship Mountain.
Approaching the tail of Battleship Mountain.
photo protector I hadn't even noticed La Barge Canyon until this point. Such amazing rock pinnacles.
I hadn't even noticed La Barge Canyon until this point. Such amazing rock pinnacles.
photo protector If you decide to bushwhack to the right of Battleship Mountain (don't, go up the tail instead), you'll see a spot where you can climb up to get on top.
If you decide to bushwhack to the right of Battleship Mountain (don't, go up the tail instead), you'll see a spot where you can climb up to get on top.
photo protector The bridge area of Battleship Mountain, really freakin' cool.
The bridge area of Battleship Mountain, really freakin' cool.
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photo protector Looking back toward the first obstacle before starting the next.
Looking back toward the first obstacle before starting the next.
photo protector The tail behind me.
The tail behind me.
photo protector Amazing colors up the entire feature.
Amazing colors up the entire feature.
photo protector Definitely not over yet, keep heading to the left (as the right and directly straight route is too steep) and slowly twist around to the summit.
Definitely not over yet, keep heading to the left (as the right and directly straight route is too steep) and slowly twist around to the summit.
photo protector As you can see, the ridge is too steep, and the dropoff is fairly serious.
As you can see, the ridge is too steep, and the dropoff is fairly serious.
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photo protector Looking out into the desert from Battleship Mountain summit.
Looking out into the desert from Battleship Mountain summit.
photo protector Head back down toward the saddle where you can cross down into La Barge Canyon (left here).
Head back down toward the saddle where you can cross down into La Barge Canyon (left here).
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photo protector Entrance to La Barge Canyon after coming down the slope.
Entrance to La Barge Canyon after coming down the slope.
photo protector A big pool greets you at the entrance of La Barge Canyon.
A big pool greets you at the entrance of La Barge Canyon.
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photo protector Amazing canyon.
Amazing canyon.
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photo protector Head in as far as you want, but it gets pretty prickly as the canyon begins to become less epic. Just turn back or risk being covered in scratches like I did. -_-
Head in as far as you want, but it gets pretty prickly as the canyon begins to become less epic. Just turn back or risk being covered in scratches like I did. -_-
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photo protector Heading from La Barge Canyon down the creek toward the meetup with Boulder Canyon.
Heading from La Barge Canyon down the creek toward the meetup with Boulder Canyon.
photo protector Looking back toward La Barge canyon, Battleship Mountain on the right.
Looking back toward La Barge canyon, Battleship Mountain on the right.
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photo protector Looking back toward the trailhead. Almost there.
Looking back toward the trailhead. Almost there.
photo protector Four Peaks in the distance.
Four Peaks in the distance.
photo protector Amazing desert sunset.
Amazing desert sunset.

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