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

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

Class 3 12.1 miles 3100 gain 4-6 hrs Loop Feb 10, 2016
Effort
Beauty
Personality
Solitude

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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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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.
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.
Boulder Canyon to the right.
Boulder Canyon to the right.
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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.
Descend into the desert wonderland.
Descend into the desert wonderland.
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.
Continue along the Boulder Canyon Trail, Battleship Mountain to the left.
Continue along the Boulder Canyon Trail, Battleship Mountain to the left.
Battleship Mountain in the distance.
Battleship Mountain in the distance.
Almost at the point of starting the ascent to Battleship.
Almost at the point of starting the ascent to Battleship.
Looking back down Boulder Canyon.
Looking back down Boulder Canyon.
Heading up the prickly slope, following the unofficial trail toward Battleship.
Heading up the prickly slope, following the unofficial trail toward Battleship.
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.
Approaching the tail of Battleship Mountain.
Approaching the tail of Battleship Mountain.
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.
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.
The bridge area of Battleship Mountain, really freakin' cool.
The bridge area of Battleship Mountain, really freakin' cool.
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Looking back toward the first obstacle before starting the next.
Looking back toward the first obstacle before starting the next.
The tail behind me.
The tail behind me.
Amazing colors up the entire feature.
Amazing colors up the entire feature.
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.
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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Looking out into the desert from Battleship Mountain summit.
Looking out into the desert from Battleship Mountain summit.
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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Entrance to La Barge Canyon after coming down the slope.
Entrance to La Barge Canyon after coming down the slope.
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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Amazing canyon.
Amazing canyon.
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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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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.
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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Image 44 from gallery
Looking back toward the trailhead. Almost there.
Looking back toward the trailhead. Almost there.
Four Peaks in the distance.
Four Peaks in the distance.
Amazing desert sunset.
Amazing desert sunset.

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Hire/refer me as a web developer or send me a few bucks if you find my site useful. I’m not sponsored, so all fees are out-of-pocket and my time preparing trip reports is unpaid. I really appreciate it!