Annual Hackberry Springs

Weather:  68°, sunny

About this Hike:  Hackberry Springs is an annual Christmastime tradition. It's an easily accessible hike in the Western Superstitions. Hackberry Trail allows you to feel disconnected from the hustle and bustle of the East Valley, all while taking in the dramatic volcanic rock formations, creekbeds, and riparian areas that the Superstitions are famous for. 

In a good year what makes this a festive hike is the red berries on the hackberry bushes.  I've seen a few berries this year (including one full bush along Boulder Canyon last weekend), but nothing too dramatic.  Maybe I'm too early.  In past years I've done this hike in December.  

Regardless, the best part of one particular hackberry bush was not the lack of red berries, but rather the flock of queen butterflies (related to monarch) all over the bush.  Upon closer inspection, I noticed pale, tiny flowers on the hackberry bush.  The butterflies were busy pollinating.  

The spring was dry, although there was water around the springhead.  I saw some minnows in the pool, but nothing like the bright, iridescent topminnows of last year. 

We ended up going toward Second Water Trail and followed it south for a while.  We crossed First Water Creek several times.  Much of this area burned a couple years ago.  Aside from scorched saguaros, you'd hardly know it.  The buffalo grass is so thick again, just waiting to spontaneously combust. 

On the All Trails map I noted a path that would take us north back toward Hackberry Trail.  We also intended to visit the old First Water Ranch.  We had a difficult time finding the northbound side trail, but once discovered, it was well-worn with footprints and some equestrian evidence.  I'm not sure how it all came together, but this side trail dropped us right at First Water Ranch.

We took a nice break at the ranch.  Last year when we discovered this site for the first time, it was twilight and we were in a hurry to conclude our hike. I enjoyed studying the old artifacts including a water cistern that will never hold water again due to being used for target practice, and an old well.  I wonder when First Water Ranch was built and how long it was used for.  Rust hasn't set in to a lot of the metal, and the artifacts don't seem that old.  Since these trails get heavy equestrian use, I'm guessing it's still used to rest horses under the shaded pavilion.  

From the ranch we hiked up the old road and then we were back at Hackberry Trailhead.  

La Barge Box Canyon

Weather:  70°, sunny, windy early

About this Hike:  I've explored Boulder Canyon 103 from Canyon Lake and from Second Water more times than I can count.  While the views of Canyon Lake, Battleship Mountain, and Weaver's Needle are impressive, this is old news to me at this point.

In past years I've also explored Boulder Canyon along the western flank of the Battleship.  But I have never explored the eastern side of the Battleship which follows La Barge Canyon.  Today I decided to give this a shot.  

Although La Barge Canyon shows as a trail on the All Trails app—and the number of footprints in the sand attests to it's use as a trail—it is not an official Forest Service trail.  There is plenty of boulder hopping and some light scrambling.  There were a couple of points on the hike up the canyon where I almost turned around and gave up.  I'm glad I didn't.  I kept exploring, studying the rocks, and problem solving.  I always managed to find a navigable path up and over the boulders.  

At 1.3 miles in, my efforts paid off and I was rewarded with views of the La Barge Box Pool.  All along the canyon were pools of standing water, but the Box Pool was nice and full.  This water feature is flanked by impressive canyon walls and a thin, delicate rock needle.  

At the Box Pool the trail takes a sharp 90-degree turn.  There is a large, shady tree (ironwood?) with a campsite underneath.  The trail leaves the creek bed and appears to be normal dirt track again.  This would wrap around the backside of the Battleship and eventually join Boulder Canyon Trail 103, effectively making it a 'lollipop' loop hike.  Taking the Boulder Canyon route would add at least 1.5 miles to my hike.  I was at the midpoint for daylight, and I had drank more water than expected.  Additionally, I wondered at the trail condition, especially on the backside of the Battleship.  Would it be overgrown?  Difficult to follow?  I opted to return the way I came via La Barge Canyon.  

The hike out of La Barge was surprisingly easier than the hike in.  The scrambles and boulder hops didn't seem as intimidating, and I was back at the junction for Boulder Canyon within an hour.  I enjoyed reflecting pools of water, fall color, and cliff views on the way out of La Barge. 

I find La Barge Canyon a very intriguing ecosystem, just like the rest of the Superstitions.  You can read about a another La Barge hike that I did about one year ago.  I'm glad to have explored another end of this majestic canyon.